Housing Headlines

AMESBURY --- The proposed 240-unit Amesbury Heights development cleared another hurdle last month when the municipal council voted unanimously to support designating the land as a 40R smart growth district. The measure, which will allow developers to build at greater densities, now must be approved by the mayor and the state.

SPRINGFIELD --- The city continued to target blighted buildings in the Old Hill section yesterday, knocking down an automotive garage that had fallen into city hands due to back taxes. At the demolition ceremony, Mayor Charles V. Ryan said this and other sites would be turned into housing and added the city will next set its sights on blighted buildings in the North End neighborhood.

EASTHAMPTON --- The city is considering whether it should adopt a state-created zoning provision that creates "smart growth districts." So far, nine parcels in the city have been identified as qualifying because of their proximity to transportation, water and sewer infrastructure or both.

CHELMSFORD --- The housing authority director believes the town can use Community Preservation Act funds to spark the transformation of an abandoned 34-acre truancy school site into 100 units of housing. Neighbors agree that something should be done to the property (owned now by UMass-Lowell) but some expressed concern about how housing might impact traffic in the neighborhood.

IPSWICH --- Following a non-binding town meeting vote, selectmen have asked residents how to proceed in resuming discussions with the local YMCA over its proposed 48-unit affordable housing proposal. The project has been stalled for over two years by groups wanting to see the project's size reduced.

FITCHBURG --- The Twin Cities Community Development Corp. has received a $130,000 state grant to handle asbestos and lead paint contamination in a downtown building that will be redeveloped into into 31 market-rate and affordable apartments.