Most people agree with the need for affordable housing and the concept of “40B,” the state mandate that requires at least 10 percent of all housing within a community to be considered affordable. However, some area communities have seen 40B guidelines used to gain approval for developments that are not ideally suited for a site.
Recently, after a Southborough-based developer came forth with plans to build a 160-unit affordable housing development on the corner of Route 9 and Walnut Street, town officials decided to appoint two of its members, Maurice DePalo and Henry Fitzgerald, to a sub-committee that will draft so-called “friendly 40B” proposals. It is the board's hope that these guidelines will help the town as it works with developers to satisfy the state mandate in a way that also best serves the town.