Housing Headlines

PROVINCETOWN --- A housing lottery is being held to sell 12 newly constructed 'green' affordable housing units just off Route 6. It is the first of six housing efforts underway on the Cape that will benefit from a $1.5 million grant provided by the Cape Light Compact and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) for combining affordable housing with energy-saving technologies. The effort also received over $700,000 from the town's Community Preservation Act funds.

BOURNE --- The development team for Canalside Commons, a 300-unit affordable housing and retail complex, is placing finishing touches on its proposal before submitting it to the appeals board for review. In addition to traffic considerations, the Zoning Board of Appeals is considering raising the number of affordable units required in the project.

NANTUCKET --- The Community Preservation Committee accepted 18 requests totaling $5 million for the FY09 funding cycle, including 10 requests for affordable housing initiatives.

NATICK --- The first of 48 affordable units to result from a 215-unit condo tower at the Natick Collection commercial development effort will soon become available, with one-bedroom units costing as little as $138,900. Applications are due by Nov. 2, and an information session will be held at the local library at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17.

EDGARTOWN --- Though zoning regulation typically prohibit building on lots less than three acres, the Massachusetts Appeals Court recently upheld a land court decision in favor of the Edgartown zoning board of appeals' (ZBA) issuance of a special permit to build three affordable homes on three smaller, one-acre lots.

HOPKINTON --- HOPKINTON - The Zoning Board of Appeals will continue to mull the request of a builder who wants to lift an over-55 age restriction that would allow him to market his development to younger buyers. As part of the request, developer Miraj Ahmed also wants to reduce the number of units he has planned for Peppercorn Village from 56 to 44. The board did vote to have the developer pay a $4,000 consultant fee since the revised plans for Peppercorn Village would have to be reviewed again by multiple boards and committees.