Danvers Planning Board to Examine Industrial Zone Activities

The Danvers Herald reported on September 27, 2007 that the Danvers Planning Board will use an internet-based survey tool, known as Survey Monkey, to obtain public input regarding the types of activities which should be allowed in Industrial-1 zones. The Board, which plans to pursue a “dual” process by analyzing and recommending use and dimension changes to the existing I-1 zone guidelines and using overlay districts to encourage new uses which would be more acceptable in residential areas, has not decided if they will limit the survey to the Danversport and upper Danvers Square areas or extend it to I-1 areas throughout the town.

Industrial 1 is the most lenient of all zones, and includes the area off Water Street in which the CAI and Arnel plants were located. It is believed that these factories were the source of a massive explosion last November, which destroyed many Danversport homes and businesses.

The Board plans to provide more information regarding the survey in an upcoming edition of the Electric Division’s monthly newsletter, which is mailed to every household and business.

Salem to Receive $474,000 for City Park

The Salem News reports that Salem will receive a $474,000 state grant to turn a blighted lot behind Wendy’s restaurant on Lafayette Street into an urban park.

The new park, which will be on Peabody Street, a former brownfield’s site on the edge of downtown, will include playground equipment, plans for a gazebo that could be used for a meeting place and game tables for cards and dominoes, and may also include a mural that would record the history of the neighborhood, which has long been a home for new immigrants.

Read the entire Salem News article

Andover Town Yard Search Site Narrows

The Andover Townsman reported that an Andover 6-member Town Yard Task Force is close to completing its search for a new public Town Yard, currently on Lewis Street.

The 3 sites are: Town of Andover-owned land adjacent to West Fire Station; a state-operated parcel on Prospect Road near Route 125; and a town-owned property formerly operated by the Reichhold Chemical Co. in southern Andover.

Read the Andover Townsman article

Senior Housing One Step Closer in Danvers

On September 27, 2007, the Danvers Herald http://www.danversherald.com reported that an over-55 housing development is one step closing to construction, after the Danvers Zoning Board of Appeals approved the zoning relief needed for the Thomson Companies to build 20 new single-family homes off Elliott Street, along the Porter River. According to the September 27, 2007 edition of the Danvers Herald, the ZBA will allow construction of multiple structures on a single lot with only 87 feet of frontage. The 2,000-2,400 square foot homes, which will be priced at about $500,000.00, will have a “condominium ownership arrangement”. Attorney Nancy McCann said that the development “is a unique project for Danvers”, providing an alternative to apartment-style condominium housing, and reminded readers that “over 1/3 of the population of Danvers is over 55.”

The developers will provide access to 3½ acres of green space at the end of the proposed cul-de-sac, including 2 parking spaces in a gravel lot and walking trails, all to be maintained by the condominium association. The project still requires approval by the Danvers Conservation Commission.

HUD Prohibits Certain Downpayment Assistance

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) published a final rule on Standards for Mortgagor’s Investment in Mortgaged Property on October 1, 2007. Beginning October 31, 2007, a prohibited source of downpayment assistant will be any payment that consists, in whole or in part. of funds provided to the Buyer by the Seller or any other institution that financially benefits from the transaction.

The National Association of Realtors® supported this rule and submitted to testimony on July 17, 2007. This rule will prohibit certain non-profits from collecting contributions from property Sellers, taking a fee, and then giving the remaining money to Buyers to purchase the property. NAR’s position was that these “seller-funded” downpayment programs were resulting in home price inflation and increased the risk for mortgage payment delinquency and foreclores.

NAR does continue to supports many other downpayment assistance programs to help Buyers purchase a home, including assistance from family members, the Buyer’s employer, state or local governments, and charitable organizations that do not involve a party with a financial interest in the transaction.

Danvers Building Permits, October 1−22

The Danvers Herald posted a list of all the Building Permits issued by the Town of Danvers from October 1st to October 22nd.

Click here to link to the article

October 24, 2007 Legislative Breakfast

On October 24, 2007, NSAR hosted its third Legislative Breakfast in 2007. The event was attended by State Representative Anthony Verga (D-5th Essex), Representative Brad Hill (R-4th Essex), and Dan Pawson, Legislative Director for Senator Bruce Tarr (R-1st Essex & Middlesex).

MAR Associate Counsel Margy Grant presented the Realtor® position on the following topics:

1. New proposed Transfer Taxes (S. 1776; S. 1773; H. 3959)
2. New proposed Lead Paint law (SB. 1230)
3. New proposed mandatory Seller’s disclosure in connection with environmental issues (H. 323, S. 201)
4. New proposed mandatory disclosures for real estate licensees in connection with Wetlands (H. 767)
5. Smart Growth funding for Chapter 40R (S. 132, H. 160)

NSAR and the Government Affairs Committee extends a sincere appreciate to the legislators who participated and to all those that attended.

$30 million Renaissance Golf Club to Stay in Haverhill

The Eagle Tribune reports that Haverhill’s Renaissance Golf Club, once in potential danger of not being finished, is definitely going to stay. Renaissance is Haverhill’s fifth 18-hole golf course − the others being Bradford Country Club, Haverhill Country Club, Crystal Springs Golf Course and Far Corners. The city also has the smaller 9-hole Murphy's Garrison Par 3.

Investors will be building a massive $9,800 square foot clubhouse, which will feature a grill, top-floor lounge, Great Room, fitness center, locker rooms for men and women, executive offices and a massage room. The Renaissance course sprawls across 197 acres in the rural Kenoza Street neighborhood in eastern Haverhill.

Read the Eagle Tribune article

Rockport Historic District Commission Hearing Tonight

The Gloucester Daily Times reported that the Rockport Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 tonight, October 25, 2007, inside the Peggy Brenner Room of the library, 17 School Street in Rockport.

Read the Gloucester Daily Times article

Indian Hill Plan wins West Newbury Approval

The Daily News reported on October 24, 2007 that voters at a Special Town Meeting in West Newbury decided to provide $510,000 to support a public/private partnership with Essex County Greenbelt and the Mosley family in order to preserve the views, vistas and wildlife of Indian Hill, one of West Newbury's 7 major hills.

Town officials are expecting to learn by November 1, 2007 whether the town will receive a pending self-help grant which could potentially reduce the community’s responsibility to $112,000 for the property, with additional funding needed to create off-street parking for this land.

Read the Daily News article

Affordable Housing available at Riverside Place in Haverhill

The Eagle Tribune reported on October 23, 2007 that 3 affordable housing condominium units will soon be made available for sale at Riverside Place on Washington Place in Haverhill.

The condominium units will be selling for $181,395 under the city’s affordable housing ordinance, which requires all new housing developments that need special permit approval to set aside at least 10% of the housing for low- to moderate-income buyers.

The properties are being made available by Community Action in Haverhill.

Read the Eagle Tribune article

North River Apartments in Salem advances

According to the Salem News, the Salem Board of Appeals approved the North River Apartments, a large apartment complex proposed along the North River.

The Board cleared a major hurdle for the project last week when it voted unanimously to grant variances for Riverview Place, a residential and commercial project planned on the site of the Salem Suede and Bonfanti leather factories. The variances will allow the developer to build more apartments than zoning allows and to put the buildings closer to nearby residences than current regulations permit.

Read the Salem News article

Officials to Dedicate Birch Plains Park in Beverly

The Salem News reported that on October 25, 2007 Mayor Bill Scanlon, Jan Schlichtmann of the Wenham Lake Watershed Association, and other officials will be dedicating Birch Plains Park, a new park next to Beverly Airport which has been open for a couple of weeks.

Read the Salem News article

Voters Reject Affordable Housing in Boxford

The Salem News reported that Boxford voters at a Special Town Meeting on October 23, 2007 rejected a move to create an Affordable housing Trust Fund.

Read the Salem News article

Newburyport Group Unveils Waterfront Plan

The Daily News reported that the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority officials intends on offering its plans for Newburyport’s central waterfront area at the October 24, 2007 town meeting. The “interactive” meeting at City Hall was designed to give residents an opportunity to input into their ideas on the future of the Waterfrong parks and parking lots.

Read the Daily News article.

Haverhill Downtown Housing Planned or Underway

Here’s a list of recent/current housing construction/conversion in downtown Haverhill, according to the Eagle Tribune:

Beacon Companies: The Cordovan at Haverhill Station, 146 apartments at 16 Walnut St.

Beacon Companies: Haverhill Lofts, 32 artist loft apartments at 25 Locust St.

Forest City Enterprises: Convert the Stoller Building, 113 Essex St. (former Hamel Leather Co. factory) into 243 one- and two-bedroom apartments. Convert Lagasse Building at 10 Duncan St. to 60 apartments.

Franchi Management Inc.: Built Riverside Place, 53 condos at 66 Washington St.

Friends Landing proposal: Developer Frank Franzone of Engineered Concrete Products in Haverhill wants to build a 60-unit condominium complex at 85 Water St., former site of Friend's Landing lounge.

D&D Realty Trust: Three condos at Washington Street, near the Comeau Bridge by Richard Early Jr.

Lotus Realty of Portsmouth: 61 condos at 98-108 Essex Street, next to Smith’s Tavern.

Old factory on Granite Street: 57 apartments at the Charles Hayes Building, 14-36 Granite St. Affiliated with the Boston Archdiocese.

Merrimack Towers: Developer Steve Doherty plans 136 condominiums for 31-35 Railroad Ave., the old Ornsteen Shoe factory on the Bradford side of Merrimack River.

Total: 851 units

Read the Eagle Tribune article

Haverhill Downtown Condo Developer to Remove Falling Windows

The Eagle Tribune reported that a downtown Haverhill condominium developer will be removing windows due to them falling off the building and onto the street, posing a significant safety risk to Haverhill residents and visitors.

Following an inspection by City Officials, Developers Angela and Sean Chen of Lotus Realty of Portsmouth, who plan to convert an old factory at 98-108 Essex Street into sixty-one condominiums, agreed to remove the windows immediately. This factory is next to Smith’s Tavern.

The Eagle Tribune reported that the Chens will be removing as many as 300 of the old windows from the building. The condominium project is currently old on due to the current real estate market, but the developers plan on completing the conversion.

Read the Eagle Tribune Article