Affordable Housing Development Run Amok?

Dozens of towns throughout Eastern Massachusetts are facing massive new affordable housing developments exempt from zoning.

1 minute read

February 11, 2002, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Because many towns have put the brakes on all growth and buildable land is scarce, developers say going the 40-B route - generally large, dense projects that are 25 percent affordable under state guidelines - is the only way to do business these days...In the words of town planner Mark Whitehead, Tyngsborough is 'paying the piper.' The town is facing no fewer than four major housing proposals that will be fast-tracked under the state law known as 40-B, which is designed to speed production of projects that include affordable units. A fifth one is rumored to be submitted any day, for land once eyed for an office park."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Read the full story: Growing town develops worries

Sunday, February 10, 2002 in The Boston Globe

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