Housing Headlines

NORWELL --- A plan by Northland Residential to turn four single family lots into 56 mixed-income apartments for people 55 and older is facing stiff opposition from residents who are concerned about density, more traffic, building heights and more water usage that one resident said could threaten the ability of residents to take showers and water their lawns.

NEWTON --- In an effort to keep residents informed about local projects, the City of Newton has added an interactive map to the city web site. Called Interactive Newton Network, the map will update residents on ongoing local projects, including affordable housing. "This map will be live and updated as projects progress and as new projects are initiated," said Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

HARWICH --- The Harwich housing trust took a key step recently, purchasing 13 acres from the Marceline Family Trust for $800,000. Known as "Jimmy Marceline's cow yard," there are no plans on exactly what will be built yet, but the spirit of the transaction indicates the land will be used for affordable housing. “Jimmy (Marceline) and I knew each other and I knew how he felt about affordable housing," said Donald Howell, chairman of the town's housing trust. "It’s a wonderful conclusion to have something I know Jimmy would be proud of doing.”

WINCHESTER --- The town's attempt to convey a parking lot to a developer who would build mixed-income apartments next to the downtown MBTA station took a step back on June 22 as Town Meeting voters denied selectmen permission to sell the land by a vote of 2681 opposed versus 2614 in favor. The vote rescinds a May vote in which residents gave permission to the selectmen to negotiate a sale to Civico Development.

CHATHAM --- Concerned about becoming an enclave for wealth second home owners due to the lack of affordable housing, Chatham Town Meeting voted to buy 2.5 acres for housing, put $1 million in local funds into the town's housing trust and authorized the select board to file legislation so the town can tax home sales over $2 million.

SWAMPSCOTT --- Taking to heart the sometimes heated concerns from residents, WinnDevelopment presented a modified plan for its mixed-income transit-oriented development at a commercial site at 21 Elm Place, which is a four-minute walk from the commuter rail. The developer's new plan cuts the number of apartments from 128 to 120, increases parking from 109 to 120 spaces and reduces the height of the project. Neighbors greeted the changes with a mix of concerns and grudging approval. “I’m glad to see it’s not horrifically ugly anymore,” said one resident.