Housing Headlines

CHICOPEE --- Responding to concerns about how a proposed 81-acre smart growth district might impact city services and schools, the city has downsized the new district by 80 percent. The zone still includes the former Cabotville Mill buildings, which a New York developer is hoping to turn into 200 condominiums.

CHARLTON --- Springfield-based HAP Inc. has threatened to abandon its rehabilitation of the 40-unit Cady Brook Apartments if Charlton and neighboring Sturbridge cannot iron out an amended agreement allowing the project to receive its water from Sturbridge.

FALL RIVER --- Programs at the downtown YMCA appeared in question after the city's Community Development Agency this week demanded payment of $262,000 in loans that came due Saturday on a $10 million renovation and single-room housing project Mayor Will Flanagan pulled support for in March.

SALEM --- A four-year fight against the St. Joseph Church redevelopment ended recently when the state's Supreme Judicial Court refused to hear an appeal by neigbhors and landlords, clearing the way for the Planning Office for Urban Affairs to develop the church site and rectory into 65 to 75 affordable rental housing apartments for families.

BARNSTABLE --- Arthur Kimber, a former state and local housing official who was a champion for affordable housing and health care on Cape Cod, died earlier this month of prostate cancer.

SANDWICH --- The state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife has approved a restriction that will preserve a box turtle habitat, clearing the way for the Housing Assistance Corp. to develop the 45.8 acre Dana's Fields site into 62 affordable homes, with land set aside for agricultural use and an existing structure that will be converted into a solar-powered home designed by architectural students and funded through a U.S. Department of Energy competition.