40B, or not 40B…that is the question

40

071814 rsMost 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.

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