Housing Headlines

NEWTON --- A group of Newton alderman are pressing forward with a proposal to put a one-year ban on residential tear downs and many home additions that they feel are ruining the look of the city.

HANOVER --- The developer of a 130-unit condo complex off Rt. 53 would pay $200,000 to the town in lieu of constructing affordable units and to mitigate concerns over increased traffic along that highway.

BOSTON --- Anthony Flint of the Lincoln Institute takes a look at development around Boston and how urban developers are taking a page from their suburban counterparts in naming their projects after the buildings and history they've just destroyed. He calls it "instant nostalgia."

EASTON --- The developers of two large-scale Ch. 40B affordable housing proposals totaling 541 units say their projects will bring more revenue into the town than it they will cost in local services.

WORCESTER --- City Manager Edwad M. Augustus Jr. has told six nonprofit housing groups that they will not be held responsible for $2 million in repayments associated with an ongong federal audit that found inadequate documentation for some $2 million in funds during 2009-2011. Instead, the city will work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish the best course of payment once a final determination is made on the amount of funds that in question.

NEEDHAM--- Gov. Deval Patrick has vetoed legislation calling for the state to purchase two parcels of land by eminent domain in Needham so as to create a highway buffer zone, saying the proposal is aimed at stopping a "much-needed" afforable housing proposal known as Greendale Mews. The town's ZBA approved the Mews plan in December with a condition that it be only 108 units, far less than the developer's 300-unit proposal. The developer is appealing the ruling.