Housing Headlines

NEWTON --- The city's zoning board of appeals could vote on a Ch. 40B permit application to build 135 units in Auburndale in October after the developer declined to alter the project or make any further presentations at a public hearing on Aug. 20.

BURLINGTON --- Responding to signals from the town that it is interested in a friendly 40B to increase affordable housing and keep the town's supply above 10 percent, the Davis Companies is seeking an amendment to its Corporate Drive office park zoning agreement so it can build 300 units of housing rather than a fifth office building. However, residents in attendance at a planning board meeting indicated they'd prefer an office building because it would have less impact on traffic.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- Having struggled to find a tenant to farm the land their family has farmed for decades, the Capasso family has signaled its willingness to work with the town on developing its 28-acre property for affordable housing.

SHERBORN --- In an article submitted to local newspapers, the Sherborn Citizens Action Committee said that a 36-unit Ch. 40B cluster development proposed by Trask Development for six acres of a 17-acre property on Washington St. represents significant health and safety risks for the town and nearby Holliston. SCAC did agree on the needs and benefits of affordable housing in town for elderly, veterans, handicapped citizens and workers but said this project is too dense.

NORWOOD --- With its two-year safe harbor from Ch. 40Bs set to end on Sept. 4, town officials believe two land purchases of 83 acres for conservation purposes means that 1.5 percent of its "developable" land is being used for affordable housing and that the fulfillment of this state requirement will allow it to continue to have greater control over Ch. 40B applications. Norwood's land calculations are subject to review by the state.

TRURO --- In its ongoing effort to increase its supply of year-round affordable housing, Truro has up to six Habitat for Humanity homes in the works on two Rt. 6 sites but three are on hold while an abutter takes the town to court saying that the zoning board did not issue proper notifications about plans to develop a property at 181 Rt. 6. If these homes are built, Truro's total of affordable housing will have jumped from 1 to 3 percent in four years. Seventy percent of the homes in town are second homes and the median sales price is $610,000, far out of reach of most local families.