Housing Headlines

MARBLEHEAD --- The town's Smart Growth Advisory Committee is exploring "smart growth" opportunities in Marblehead with funding from a $40,000 Department of Housing and Community Development grant. The committee hopes to use the funds to analyze development opportunities at sites they believe could be developed in the years to come. These sites include the soon-to-be-former YMCA building on Pleasant Street. Other possible redevelopment sites include the former Miller Ford retail location, Village Plaza and the former General Glover House Restaurant parcel adjacent to Vinnin Square.

WEST NEWBURY --- Town officials are considering a plan to sell municipal land to private developer, who would then pursue a 40B or 40R permit to build senior rental housing and affordable homes for first-time homebuyers. Some residents say the proposal is not in the best interest of the town. In order for the land to be sold, selectmen must approve the sale by a two-thirds majority.

NANTUCKET --- CPA grant funds are being used to finance a new housing planner to improve the affordable housing situation for year-round residents. The job was last filled in 1992. Selectmen hope that the planner will be able to help Nantucket approach the state-mandated goal of 10 percent affordable housing on the island.

FALL RIVER --- City councilors, the mayor, the state and resident groups are still haggling over details of the plan to raze the Watuppa Heights public housing project and replace it with new housing. At a meeting last month, councilors questioned why the original plan of 26 single-family homes for the nine-acre site had been raised to 60 units. There was also objection to a provision that would have city commit $4 million in federal block grant and city funds to assist in making the units affordable.

ACTON --- A 350-unit housing development just over the Acton border in Concord cleared one of its last hurdles in early October as the Acton Zoning Board of Appeals gave its OK. The project needed Acton's approval because a major road into the project is in Acton. The town will receive $900,000 from the project developer - Trammel Crow Residential - to mitigate traffic impact. In June, the Concord ZBA also approved the 40B rental project, which will increase the town's percentage of affordable housing to over 10 percent, meaning it has greater control over future 40B proposals.

HARVARD --- Earlier this month, two developers outlined to the planning board plans to turn three properties on Ayer Road into commercial space and 42 units of senior affordable housing, as is permitted by town zoning. The developers said they hope to finance the housing through low-income tax credits.