Thompkins Building Plans Tentatively Approved

The Danvers Herald reports that the Danvers Planning Board tentatively approved renovation plans for the former Tompkins Company building at 49 Maple Street in Danvers.

The approved site plan for the building, which contains an extensive list of stipulations, would renovate it into a 2-story modern looking complex of 10,680 square feet of leasable space − the first floor designated for retail use, including the potential for restaurants, and the second floor for professional office space.

Read the entire Danvers Herald article

Boxford, North Andover Group Fight Booster Station

According to the Salem News, a group of Boxford and North Andover residents, Citizens Against Proposed Boxford Gas Compressor Station, will be fighting a proposed natural gas pipeline booster station on land bordering North Andover and Haverhill.

According the group’s website, “Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC is proposing a 15,000 HP Compressor Station addition to the current natural gas pipeline that would be located in Boxford adjacent to the Far Corner Golf Course. This proposed location is near the North Andover and Haverhill borders. The site is not far from dozens of homes as well as Brooks School. This project has immense potential to negatively impact our communities.”

Read the entire Salem News article

Danvers Board denies Chapter 40B Permit for 71 Condos

The Salem News reports that the Danvers Board of Appeals denied a permit for developer Michael Demerjian to build 71 condominiums off Route 114.

Demerjian’s designs were to build on 10 acres at the former site of Natalie's restaurant and the Rio Grande Café. The project was to be built under the State’s Chapter 40B permitting regulation, a state law that allows developers to bypass most local zoning regulations if they set aside a portion of their project for affordable housing.

The development would have added 18 affordable units priced at $157,700.

Read the entire Salem News article

What’s next for FHA loans?

According to the National Association of Realtors® website, here is the Realtor® position on Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans:

“NAR is a strong supporter of the single- and multi-family programs administered by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). However, FHA’s market share has diminished considerably threatening its ability to serve its public purposes. NAR is working with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to modernize FHA to enhance its effectiveness in today’s mortgage marketplace.”

Click here for a Legislative/Regulatory status on FHA.

Chapter 40R Smart Growth Districting

As an organization, Realtors® support “Smart Growth” special zoning overlay districts under the Commonwealth’s Chapter 40R provisions.

According to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors®, as of October 14, 2007, approximately 19 communities in Massachusetts have enacted or were in the process of establishing Chapter 40R overlay districts, which provide financial rewards to communities that adopt special zoning districts allowing as-of-right high density residential development.

Here are several summaries/literature on Chapter 40R Smart Growth Districting:

• Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
• Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
• MAR Quality of Life brochure

You can read about NSAR's post regarding Haverhill's Smart Growth districting here.

Next Legislative Breakfast: Friday, November 9, 2007, 8:30am

The next North Shore Association of Realtors® Legislative Breakfast will be held on Friday, November 9, 2007, from 8:30am to 10:00am. All NSAR members who live in Amesbury, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Merrimac, Newburyport, North Andover, and/or West Newbury are encouraged to attend.

Topics will likely include:

1. Transfer Taxes.
2. An Act Protecting Children from Poisoning (SB. 1230)
3. An Act Providing Information to Real Estate Buyers. (H. 323, S. 201)
4. An Act Relative to the Disclosure of Wetlands on Property. (H. 767)
5. An Act Relative to Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund (S. 132) and An Act Relative to Financing the Smart Growth Housing Trust (H. 160).

Sign up today using this form, by calling 978-232-9410, or by emailing Jeff@NorthShoreRealtors.com!

Please note: this Legislative Breakfast will be at ABC Real Estate Training Institute, 21 Wingate Street in Haverhill.

For directions, click here.