Housing Headlines

EASTHAMPTON --- The city is considering whether it should adopt a state-created zoning provision that creates "smart growth districts." So far, nine parcels in the city have been identified as qualifying because of their proximity to transportation, water and sewer infrastructure or both.

FITCHBURG --- The Twin Cities Community Development Corp. has received a $130,000 state grant to handle asbestos and lead paint contamination in a downtown building that will be redeveloped into into 31 market-rate and affordable apartments.

WESTWOOD --- As selectmen plan a special Town Meeting for June, they do so with the risk of facing an court injunction from a group of neighbors to the planned Westwood Station project, a 4.5 million square foot mixed use project. The snag? Whitewood Acres Neighborhood Association and Westwood Station developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes have yet to reach an agreement over the placement of a ramp and road accessing the project from Rte. 128.

NATICK --- The town has received a letter from the state certifying that it has met affordable housing requirements and can reject any 40B proposals through December 31. Despite this, officials are working to compromise with a developer to add 268 more units, which would get the town closer to an affordable housing reprieve until the 2010 census.

WILMINGTON --- The town's zoning board has delayed voting on whether a developer can go forward with his 40B effort. The plans were initially rejected in 2003, but the developer and the town have since reached a compromise that may result in 120 units, helping the town reach its state-mandated goal of 10 percent affordable housing.

FALL RIVER --- The local housing authority has renewed discussions with the state about razing the Watuppa Heights housing project and replacing it with 26 affordable housing units. Housing authority officials are reportedly seeking bids on how to relocate the 80 families that currently live in the housing project.