Housing Headlines

LAKEVILLE --- The state's Department of Housing and Community Development has concluded that not all of the 204 units at Lakeville Station will count towards the town's affordable housing inventory because the development cannot be viewed as one project but rather astwo apartment buildings that operate separately, with all of the affordable units located in the 104-unit Kensington Court phase.

NORWOOD --- After negotiating with the developer to reduce the size of the development and make other changes, the Norwood Zoning Board of Appeals reluctantly granted Campanelli and Thorndike Development a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit so it can proceed to build Upland Woods, a 260-unit apartment complex.

BOSTON --- Following up on his springtime goal of seeing the City of Boston build 30,000 new homes by 2020, Mayor Thomas Menino is putting forth a plan to help the city get there. The plan includes allowing taller structures with smaller units, selling public land to developers at a discount, and using subsidies to spur development of more affordable housing.

FALMOUTH --- Friends and colleagues had nothing but praise for Bob Murray, who died on Sept. 5 after spending more than 25 years of his "retirement" spearheading affordable housing developments in Harwich and Falmouth as well as starting an annual walk from Provincetown to Falmouth to raise funds and awareness for affordable housing.

NORTH ATTLEBORO --- With some anguish, selectmen unanimously voted not to support Great Bridge Properties' bid to build a 45-unit rental 40B on 2.5 acres near Rt. 1, saying the proposal was too large and not in keeping with the neighborhood's smaller homes. Great Bridge can continue to pursue a 40B permit with the town's zoning board of appeals but has indicated it would not do that without town support. Selectman Michael Thompson struggled with the decision. "I'm really torn," he said. "I'm one of those kids who grew up in triple deckers on the north end of town. We weren't rich, far from it, not even close. With these projects, I realize all these bells and whistles go off that we're going to get bad people in town. I'll tell you something, all of us kids that grew up here and grew up in those neighborhoods now contribute to this town."

NORWOOD --- By a 3-2 vote, selectmen have approved the town's application to the state for a Ch. 40R smart growth overlay district for the former Plimpton Press site, which is steps away from the town's downtown commuter rail station. If approved by the state and then a two-thirds vote at town meeting, the owners plan to redevelop the 7.82 acre property into 270 apartments.