Manchester-by-the-Sea Meeting on Chapter 40B Condos

The Gloucester Daily Times reported that the developer of a 40-unit condominium project on Summer Street in Manchester-by-the-Sea held a meeting with neighbors to address concerns about the pending project. The Manchester Zoning Board of Appeals asked the developer, Coolidge Commons LLC, to schedule the meeting after it began hearing the application for a comprehensive permit under the state’s Chapter 40B affordable-housing laws to build a $19.7 million condo complex at 601 Summer Street.

The developer is planning to place 24 smaller condo units in a "garden-style" building near Summer Street and another 16 units in four townhouse-style buildings spread over the 14-acre property. The non-affordable-housing units are planned to be listed for an average of $683,000; 10 affordable units will sell for less than $200,000 in order to meet state affordable housing standards.

Read the entire Gloucester Daily Times article

Underground Gas Station Tanks Approved in Merrimac

The Newburyport Daily News reported that Merrimac Selectman recently approved an underground storage tank license requested by Broad Lancaster LLC for their proposed gas station at 32-34 Broad Street. The site was originally to be a convenience store, gas station and car wash, but last month, the town Selectmen approved a beer and wine license for the convenience store.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article

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.

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

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.

Read the entire article.

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.

Read the entire article.

Parking Ban Proposed Near Merrimack Valley Hospital

According to the Eagle Tribute, the City of Haverhill is considering banning parking on both sides of Katsaros Drive, a short side street near Merrimack Valley Hospital (formerly Hale Hospital). Katsaros Drive is about 200 yards long and runs between Groveland and Brown streets.

According to City Councilor David Hall, the parking is a safety issue because the cars are near the hospital's helicopter pad.

Read the entire article.

Next Legislative Breakfast: Wednesday, October 24, 2007, 8:30am

The next North Shore Association of Realtors® Legislative Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, from 8:30am to 10:00am. All NSAR members who live in Boxford, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Newbury, Rockport, Rowley, Wenham, Byfield, and/or Middleton 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!

The Legislative Breakfast will be at the NSAR office at 398 Essex Street in Beverly. For directions, visit our website by clicking here.

October 4, 2007 Legislative Breakfast

On October 4, 2007, NSAR hosted its second Legislative Breakfast in 2007. The event was attended by State Representative Doug Petersen (D-8th Essex), Tom Damario, Aide to Representative Robert Fennell (D-10th Essex), and Josh Harold, Aide to Representative Steven Walsh (D-11th Essex).

State Senate was in session, so unfortunately Senator Thomas M. McGee (D-3rd Essex & Middlesex) and Senator Richard R. Tisei (R-Middlesex & Essex) were unable to attend.

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.