Housing Headlines

NATICK --- Town Meeting this spring is expected to debate two citizens petitions aimed at controlling growth, including one that would impose a two-year moratorium on multifamily developments so that the town could measure the financial impact of development on schools, services, traffic and parking.

NORTHAMPTON --- The Valley Community Development Corp. efforts to redevelop the former Northampton Lumber Company site into a mixed-use development with 55 affordable apartments received more city support recently as the city council OK'd a $300,000 grant in Community Preservation Act funds to support the CDC's effort.

WAYLAND --- The task force charged with conveying a Board of Public Works site to a developer for 150 to 190 rental units is hopeful that an RFP will go out this spring, even as it differs with the BPW on whether an RFP can be issued while the land is still under BPW control.

HARWICH --- A developer who has proposed two different housing plans to redevelop the former middle school says the town's wish to limit development to 40 units is not feasible. Stratford Capital Group made this comment after proposing 62 senior units. A previous plan for 56 units was turned down.

ARLINGTON --- A consultant's suggestion that developers be allowed to build housing on "nonconforming buildable lots" around town that don't conform to zoning was eliminated from the town's master plan proposal after residents at a public hearing voiced fears that developers might cram in large homes that would not be in character with the neighborhood.

MEDWAY --- The town's affordable housing trust has purchased the former American Legion building and hopes to turn it into housing "priced for households earning a mix of incomes below the area median.