Housing Headlines

HOLLISTON --- Holliston officials are weighing whether to mount a fourth legal challenge to plans to build 200 mixed-income condominums on land still partially contaminated by decades of illegal dumping. In 2006, the Holliston Zoning Board of Appeals denied a developer's plan to build 200 condominiums (53 affordable) with a comprehensive permit (40B) but that decision has been overturned by the state's housing appeals committee, the state's land court and most recenlty, the state' appeals court.

MELROSE --- An Atlanta-based developer recently broke ground on the first phase of the conversion of a historic mill into rental housing. Wood Partners intend to build 300 apartments on the site of the former Boston Rubber Shoe Company Mill site. Out of the 300 units, 30 units will be designated as affordable. The first phase of the project is targeted for completion in February 2013.

LENOX --- The Community Development Corp. of South Berkshire has posted plans to develop 22 affordable condominiums on historic land. According to recent news reports, selectmen have OK'd a plan to have the town take out a loan to purchase the property but the CDC still has to obtain public and private financing in order to move the $20 million development forward.

CHELSEA --- Transdel Corporation developers recently announced plans to build a 230-unit apartment building on a site next to Route 1. The Crescent Cove development would be constructed within the city's Everett Avenue Urban Renewal District and would include studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments. Developers also plan to build 242 units on an adjacent 4-acre site located at Heard and Spruce Streets. If all permits are approved by the city and financing comes through, Transdel Corp. hopes to break ground on the first phase of the project by the fall of 2012.

YARMOUTH --- Tenants at at least three Yarmouth motels are being issued eviction notices by owners as the town is stepping up pressure to enforce a town bylaw prohibiting motels from serving long-stay clients. The bylaw limits motel stays to 30 consecutive days or 90 days during a six-month period.

SWAMPSCOTT --- Cognizant of the town's need for affordable housing, selectmen are openly discussing entertaining development proposals that would convert the former senior center on Burrill Street into three units of affordable housing.