Haverhill, Neighbors fight Proposed 40B Project

The Eagle Tribute reported that developer Brian Donahue, of Donahue Builders in Tewksbury, plans to ask the Commonwealth to approve a 32-unit condominium complex under the state’s Affordable Housing law, Chapter 40B.

The development would be built off Route 97 in the Western part of the City. Chapter 40B allows developers to circumvent local zoning rules in exchange for building housing with at least 25% affordable units in communities with less than 10% of affordable housing stock. According to the Tribune, Haverhill has more affordable housing than most of its surrounding communities, however the stock is currently about 9.5%, which is not enough to block a Chapter 40B proposal.

Mayor James Fiorentini is promising to fight Donahue’s proposal if it comes before the City.

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Downtown Parking: Parking vs. Loading Zone

For the past 25-30 years, Horsch Aluminum Products, located on River Street, west of the Washington Street commuter rail bridge, has been using a loading zone about 60 feet long for company vehicles and for its loading zone for pickups and deliveries.

The Eagle Tribune reports that the Haverhill City Counsel plans to submit an ordinance designed to eliminate the exclusive right to the public curbing, and limit the loading zone to a couple of hours a day on particular days of the week.

The remainder of the time would be used to accommodate the hundreds of residents of new apartments and condominiums along River Street and in downtown Haverhill.

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