Housing Headlines

SPRINGFIELD --- For the second time in five months, the manager of the 211-unit Longhill Gardens Condominiums was found in contempt of court and was ordered jailed for failing to provide funds to shut down the troubled complex. Western District Housing Court Judge William H. Abrashkin ruled that Segelman is in contempt for failing to deposit $1.3 million with a court-appointed receiver (Valley Real Estate) for repairs, expenses and tenant relocation costs. Segelman was jailed for four days in May until he posted $150,000 for property repairs and expenses.

WESTFORD --- While residents are concerned over how six proposed Ch. 40B affordable housing developments might impact the town, a town highway department worker who bought an affordable condominium says people have the wrong image of what affordable housing is, especially considering that the average selling price of a home is over $470,000.

NORTHAMPTON --- Plans for the residential development of the former Northampton State Hospital hinge on the planning board and city council's approving the creation of a smart growth overlay district. The project has received preliminary approval from the city council but still needs the OK of the planning board before going back to the council for a final OK. If approved, the overlay district will divide the 16 acres into two sub-zones, one for 10 single-family detached homes and the other for 140 apartments and attached town houses.

SHREWSBURY --- Selectmen approved AvalonBay's proposal to build a 400-unit apartment complex, designating it as a local initiative project (LIP) or friendly 40B, thus allowing the town to receive $3.9 million in mitigation funds and have a say along with local businesses in the design and other aspects of the project.

NATICK --- The town's Housing Overlay Option Plan (HOOP) is beginning to produce housing as a second project --- 24 condos --- is slated to be ready by next fall. Natick adopted HOOP in order to allow for denser housing near downtown and the commuter rail.

WAYLAND --- The zoning board of appeals granted a comprehensive permit for developers to begin construction on a 16-unit 40B effort. Though only 25 percent of the units are required to be affordable, all of the units at the Nike Site project will be sold at either 70 or 100 percent of the area median income. In addition, 12 acres of adjacent open space will be converted into parkland.