Housing Headlines

NORFOLK --- At its Nov. 30 town meeting, town officials will seek public comment on several scenarios for how to designate part of its downtown as a Chapter 40R Smart Growth Overlay District. Officials have been discussing the idea for a year, with a particular focus on shaping the development of a seven-acre parcel between the town center and the MBTA railroad tracks.

HINGHAM --- A proposed 180-unit rental apartment complex has Hingham residents worried about its impact on the town and local officials renewing their efforts to have the state recognize that a retirement community's units have pushed the town over the 10 percent affordable housing threshold necessary to turn away Ch. 40B developments.

FALL RIVER --- Faced with a Dec. 9 deadline that could put development decisions back in state hands, the local housing authority has voted to redevelop the Watuppa Heights public housing project into 11 single-family lots on four acres; 19 buildings of duplex and triplex buildings totaling 50 rental units on 3.6 acres; and open space on two acres. The city council must now approve the plan. The state agreed in 2002 to allow the housing authority to close Watuppa's 100 rental units and build 26 single-family homes but local officials said the project was not "financially feasible".

HARVARD --- Two large historic homes that together provide nine affordable rental apartments in Harvard, will be auctioned off in December, according to the lender, North Middlesex Savings Bank. The properties' owner, Harvard Trust Non-Profit Properties, stopped paying its mortgage last April, after years of sustaining the aging properties with no reserve fund and no ability to raise rents.

LAKEVILLE --- The town was recently awarded a technical assistance award of $10,000 to update its affordable housing plan and align with the South Coast Rail Economic Development and Land Use Corridor Plan.

LUNENBURG --- The initial phases of two apartment developments --- TriTown Land and Emerald Place --- have filled up quickly and managers for both projects predict that yet-to-be-built units will also go fast. TriTown has 66 rental units that are 100 percent occupied, with another 33 units set to be added in April. Emerald Place has 110 units and is said to be "at capacity", with another 24 units to be added by March.