Housing Headlines

WESTWOOD --- Canton intends to appeal the Patrick administration's approval of the massive Westwood Station shopping, housing, and office complex, setting the stage for a courtroom battle. Patrick administration officials have said the governor supports the Westwood Station project because its location next to the Route 128 commuter rail stop would encourage use of public transportation. The development is a $1.5 billion project that includes 1.5 million square feet of office, 1.35 million square feet of retail, 1,000 residential units, two hotels and 40 acres of landscaped, green space. Since its inception, the planning and design for Westwood Station have centered on Smart Growth principles and "green" development. It was approved by the Westwood Planning Board on Nov. 20.

BOURNEDALE --- A developer who planned to build a 24-unit motel has reconsidered and submitted a proposal to create one-bedroom year-round homeownership and rental units, of which six would be affordable. Though the motel project had received initial town approval, a lack of bank financing led the developer to pursue affordable housing instead, and the project now awaits zoning approval to proceed.

BRIDGEWATER --- Town meeting approved a zoning change that will allow the Waterford Village to pursue a 40-acre expansion that could bring 400 to 500 apartments to the town. Voters OK'd the zoning change under the state's Ch. 40R smart growth program.

BELMONT --- Residents at town meeting unanimously voted to adopt a smart growth overlay district. The new zoning regulations will allow developers to build more densely and also preserve a church as affordable housing.

LAWRENCE --- Pending state and federal tax-credit approval, a Boston-based developer plans to restore century-old mill buildings at the Malden Mills property in the city and turn them into a residential community for up to 500 families.

LEVERETT --- In an effort to make housing more affordable, voters unanimously approved the creation an affordable housing trust fund at fall town meeting. Leverett, a small town north of Amherst with a population of nearly 1,800, will build the fund through future town meeting authorizations of funds raised through the town's Community Preservation Act.