Housing Headlines

AMHERST - Town Meeting has created the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will allow the town more flexibility when creating or preserving affordable housing.

NORWOOD --- A bid to create a 40R zoning district that would would pave the way for a former press building to be turned into 238 apartments and commercial space near the train station has failed. On May 16, Norwood Town Meeting members voted 93-70 in favor of the project, which fell short of the required two-thrids majority for zoning changes.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- The town's attempt to delay a 180-unit Ch. 40B condo proposal near Rts. 9 and 495 has been overturned by the state, which has ruled the town's claim that it had permitted enough housing to earn a one-year "safe harbor" from 40B applications was filed one day after condo developer William Depietri filed his application to the town for a 40B permit.

QUINCY --- The city is seeking a developer to purchase and convert the former Central Middle School into rental or condominium units. According to the Request for Proposals (RFP), officials will select a developer based on price, responsiveness to green design objectives, construction experience, good standing in the industry and the financial stability to complete the project. Bids for the property are due on Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m.

NORWOOD --- With town meeting poised to vote on whether to make the Plimpton Press property a 40R smart growth zoning district, preliminary discussions centered not on the project but on whether 1.5 percent of the town's land is being used for affordable housing. An independent consultant says the town has passed that threshold and could deny proposals like Plimpton's but the town says it is over an acre short.

SANDWICH --- Thanks to decisions by town meeting, the Sandwich Housing Authority is moving ahead with plans to renovate public housing units and create new affordable units on George Fernandes Way.