Showing posts with label apartment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apartment. Show all posts

Saturday, December 9, 2023

CommonWealth Beacon: "Yes, building more housing does lower rents, study says"

"IT’S A QUESTION that looms large over the effort to promote more development in housing-starved Massachusetts: Does increasing the supply of housing, even if it’s mainly higher-cost, market-priced units, temper the runup in costs that has so many residents straining to make ends meet? 

The idea follows the basic economic principle of supply and demand – when more of something is made available, its price falls. But there are plenty of “supply skeptics” who aren’t convinced that simply opening the housing production spigot will lower costs, and argue instead that it often just drives up prices by promoting gentrification. 

In a recent report, only 30 to 40 percent of those polled in a national survey of urban and suburban residents believed a 10 percent increase in housing production would result in lower home prices and rents. Against that backdrop, however, a research team at New York University issued a report last month arguing that there is clear evidence that boosting supply is the key to lowering or moderating housing costs. 

“All the evidence shows that it does reduce housing costs,” said Vicki Been, director of the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. The report by Been and two NYU colleagues attempts to look at all the evidence available from studies of the question. 

“In sum,” they write, “significant new evidence shows that new construction in a variety of settings decreases, or slows increases in, rents, not only for the city as a whole, but generally also for apartments located close to the new construction.”
Continue reading the article at CommonWealth Beacon

From the paper referenced in the article the Abstract summarizes:
"Although “supply skeptics” claim that new housing supply does not slow growth in rents, we show that rigorous recent studies demonstrate that: 1) Increases in housing supply slow the growth in rents in the region; 2) In some circumstances, new construction also reduces rents or rent growth in the surrounding area; 3) The chains of moves sparked by new construction free up apartments that are then rented (or retained) by households across the income spectrum; 4) While new supply is associated with gentrification, it has not been shown to cause significant displacement of lower income households; and 5) Easing land use restrictions, at least on a broad scale and in ways that change binding constraints on development, generally leads to more new housing over time, but only a fraction of the new capacity created because many other factors constrain the pace of new development."

The Taj Estates apartments on East Central street
The Taj Estates apartments on East Central street

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Taj Estates - listings available for occupancy later this year

"Are you looking for your perfect home? Look no further than Taj Estates of Franklin! Our luxurious and spacious two-bedroom apartments offer modern amenities and are located in the heart of Franklin, MA.

Enjoy spacious living in our four-story building, with elegant and comfortable living spaces ranging from 1320 to 1600 square feet. Our community offers a welcoming atmosphere with top-notch amenities, making Taj Estates of Franklin the perfect place to call home.

Don’t wait any longer! Make Taj Estates of Franklin your new home today and start experiencing a life of comfort and style."
Find out more info online at their webpage -> https://tajfranklin.com/

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Economic Development Subcmte took a deep dive into 40b, then got a preview of a friendly 40b proposal for 121 Grove St (audio)

FM #949 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 949 in the series. 


This session of the radio show shares the Economic Development SubCmte meeting held in hybrid format on Wednesday, February 23, 2023. Some of the audience participated via Zoom, some were in person in the Council Chambers.


Chair: M Hamblen, C Frongillo, G Jones, P Sheridan

Town Administration: J Hellen, M Cerel, B Taberner, A Love, G Brown


1 - Discussion on the ins and outs of 40b. 

2 - Informational overview of “friendly 40b” development proposed for 121 Grove St


The recording runs two hours and thirty-six minutes, so let’s listen to the Economic Development SubCmte meeting on February 23, 2023.

Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-949-economic-development-subcmte-mtg-02-22-23




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Quick recap:

40b overview

  • The 40b legislation was enacted in 1969 to help expand the number of communities and neighborhoods where households with low and moderate incomes could secure a safe, affordable home

  • The 40b legislation is an "Affordable" housing production tool. 40B Projects must have at least 20 to 25% of housing units deeded as affordable

  • The permitting process of a 40B Project is through the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), not the Planning Board

  • The ZBA is formally a "Comprehensive Permit Process" which allows for a streamlined permit process. The ZBA may apply more flexible standards than the local zoning requirements

  • Note it is capital A “Affordable”, there are legal requirements built into either the home ownership deed or to the rental agreements to create “Affordable” units. This is not to say that the units are market rate ‘affordable.’ Affordability is a relative term but per 40b it does have legal requirements set at the Federal & State level, enforced locally

  • The Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) is the List of Affordable Housing Units that Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) uses to calculate a Community’s percentage of low-or moderate-income housing. Owned units are counted differently (i.e. condos) than apartments. A 100 unit proposal with 25% “Affordable” (note the capital A) if owned would add 25 units to the SHI. If these units were apartments, then all 100 (assuming the 25% “Affordable”) would add 100 units to the SHI

  • Franklin is believed to be above the 10% requirement. The census data from 2020 has not yet been processed by DHCD to determine the specific percent we are today. We were 11.96% with 2010 data, it is projected that we are above 10% but exactly where is not known today

  • Information on some of the presentation pages provide details on current 40b developments as well as proposed developments (as of today anyway)

121 Grove St (begins approx 80 minutes into the recording)

  • The second part of the meeting was an overview of the proposal for 300 or so units at 121 Grove St

  • The slides shown are noted as “draft”. This is shared as part of the informational work of the “friendly 40b” process created by the Town of Franklin. Based upon the feedback received there are changes likely to the specifics to address the concerns or items raised. For example, there is an open Conservation permitting process underway where the back and forth negotiation could lead to changes in the number of or at least layout of the buildings on the land.

  • One point raised in the discussion that should be considered is the “loss” of land zoned as commercial industrial when we need that. This particular property overtime has proved the point that it is not fit for C/I development due to its terrain and wetlands. The residential proposal can work around the land in particular to create revenue that for years has not been able to be addressed in any other way

  • All the slide of the presentation as shown overhead in the Council Chambers were captured in one photo album and the link is provided below

  • The 121 Grove St proposal will be scheduled to come before the Town Council in the near future and assuming fairly received could begin the formal process by applying through the Zoning Board of Appeals as outlined in the 40b discussion



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The agenda doc for the meeting can be found here ->    https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/agendas/_2023-02-22_edc_agenda_.pdf 


40b overview presentation -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YcwAKFPdjcjYNAbPlF4PtuSVr8K8Ns8Z/view?usp=share_link 


The Franklin TV replay for this session is available ->  https://www.youtube.com/live/K9BYvCAcE1s?feature=share 


My notes via Twitter can be found in one PDF here -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AIKI1EdTZML5WLCqhhbwLXO6RTi2l2HL/view?usp=share_link     


121 Grove St slides (photo album) -> https://photos.app.goo.gl/ySstvYGTnhGYh3rp9 


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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.  


This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

 

How can you help?

  • If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

  • If you don't like something here, please let me know


Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.


For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/

If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com


The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.


I hope you enjoy!

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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"

 
Economic Development Subcmte took a deep dive into 40b, then heard a friendly 40b proposal for 121 Grove St (audio)
Economic Development Subcmte took a deep dive into 40b, then heard a friendly 40b proposal for 121 Grove St (audio)


Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Landlord In Worcester Apartment Collapse based in Franklin

The Franklin radar picked up this story from Worcester: 

"The owner of a Worcester apartment building that partially collapsed earlier this month took dozens of tenants to court on Monday seeking a way to remove their possessions from the building to make way for repairs. 
More than 100 people had to evacuate the 267 Mill St. building on July 15 after the roof caved in, punching a hole in the building from the fourth floor to the basement. The collapse was likely caused by construction materials placed in one small area on the roof, according to court records. 
No one was injured in the incident, but the collapse left every resident homeless, with many now sheltering temporarily at a Worcester hotel. Meanwhile, their possessions are stuck in the damaged building, which Worcester officials ordered condemned on July 18. 
On Friday, the company that owns the building, Franklin-based 267 Mill Street LLC, sent about 30 tenants summonses to appear in court on Monday over the removal of possessions."
Continue reading the article online
 
267 Mill St. in Worcester pictured on Wednesday. Residents had to leave all their possessions during an evacuation on July 15 after a roof collapse. (Neal McNamara/Patch)
267 Mill St. in Worcester pictured on Wednesday. Residents had to leave all their possessions during an evacuation on July 15 after a roof collapse. (Neal McNamara/Patch)

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

New York Times: "workplaces in apartment buildings"

"Before the pandemic, Tony Dopazo leased an office in Boston and used co-working spaces in Brooklyn for his company, Metro Tech Services, an IT provider for start-ups and biotech companies. Then the pandemic lockdown forced him, like countless others, to work remotely. That meant he was on the phone with clients from his apartment building, Level, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

At first, with the common areas in his rental building closed by Covid restrictions, Mr. Dopazo, 47, hunkered down in his one-bedroom, which was “brutal,” he said, “everything mish-mashing into one big blob of time.” But after the common spaces opened in September, he started going down to a co-working area in a ninth-floor lounge every day.

The arrangement affords some “mental separation” from his home, he said, and, with other tenants working in the same space, he has companionship. When he needs to print or scan something, he heads to the ground-level business center. If he’s hungry, he returns to his apartment to make a sandwich, and for a break, he can take a dip in the building’s pool."
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/18/realestate/coworking-rentals-condos.html

A co-working area on the ninth floor is where Mr. Dopazo often sets up shop for the day.Credit...Tom Sibley for The New York Times
Credit...Tom Sibley for The New York Times


Sunday, December 13, 2020

Re-imagining post COVID-19: "Midtown Is Reeling. Should Its Offices Become Apartments?"

From the New York Times, an article of interest for Franklin:
"The pandemic is pummeling New York City’s commercial real estate industry, one of its main economic engines, threatening the future of the nation’s largest business districts as well as the city’s finances.

The damage caused by the emptying of office towers and the permanent closure of many stores is far more significant than many experts had predicted early in the crisis.

The powerful real estate industry is so concerned that the shifts in workplace culture caused by the outbreak will become long-lasting that it is promoting a striking proposal: to turn more than one million square feet of Manhattan office space into housing."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

Thursday, March 12, 2020

You ask - we answer: When will the Dean Ave. apartments start renting?

Q - When will the Dean Ave. apartments start renting? Are any for low income? Will there be a safe walkway to train?

A - The website for LiveStation117.com doesn't provide a timeline for rental. https://www.station117apartments.com/

1 - In my walks by the location, exterior construction is still very much in progress. Perhaps before the end of the year? You can sign up for their "Interest List" to find out. 

The Fairfield Residential webpage shows this opening "Early 2020".
https://www.fairfieldresidential.com/new-developments/

2 - none of the units are designated for 'low income'

3 - There will be sidewalk along Dean Ave to Main St. As mentioned in the Facebook thread on this question, the Town and developer jointly are working to address the drainage at the Dean Ave corner with an EPA grant. Roadwork has been underway last year on the underground portion. Sidewalk and paving is scheduled for this year.

The website for LiveStation117.com
The website for LiveStation117.com

The Fairfield Residential webpage
The Fairfield Residential webpage
 

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

You ask - we answer: Dean Ave apartment complex?

Q - What is the name of the apartment complex being built on Dean Ave lumber yard site?

A - "Fairfield At Dean Avenue" per the planning documents is the approved project for 257 units; 127 x 1 bedroom, 116 x 2 bedroom and 14 x 3 bedroom apartments.

The Planning Board project page has the site plan map and the site plan application with additional details
https://www.franklinma.gov/planning-board/pages/dean-ave-fairfield-residents

Photo taken on walk by Feb 18
Photo taken on walk by Feb 18

Submit your question here
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/02/ask-franklin-matters-you-ask-question.html


Wednesday, May 20, 2015

In the News: ZBA approves apartments, high tech lab at high school


The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a building permit for a sprawling apartment complex on West Central Street. 
The proposed development, Weston Woods, would include three apartment buildings — comprised of mostly one-bedroom units — and a clubhouse at 1330-1342 West Central St. Developer Acme Jazz LLC will offer 70 of the 280 apartments as affordable housing. 
The decision on the project came late last month, during an untelevised meeting.Acme Jazz has now filed its plans with Conservation Commission seeking to move forward with construction.
Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150520/NEWS/150529715/1994/NEWS

Related posts on the proposed development
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/03/zoning-board-of-appeals-march-19-agenda.html
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/04/280-unit-apartment-building-at-1330.html


high tech labs

The science laboratories at Franklin High School rival those at any top research university — and students have a local biotech corporation to thank for that. 
Inside each lab, the microplate readers, digital dry baths and bacterial transformation kits, among other pieces of equipment, were donated to the newly-opened high school through a partnership with ZeptoMetrix Corporation, located at Kenwood Circle. 
The company visited the school Monday with local officials to recognize the district’s STEM program and shine a light on the town’s goal of attracting similar companies.
Continue reading the article
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150519/NEWS/150516594/1994/NEWS

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

280 unit apartment building at 1330-1342 West Central Street


At 7PM Thursday evening (April 30th) the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals will be deciding on whether or not to issue a building permit for a monstrosity of an apartment complex in Franklin. The proposed complex will be located close to the intersection of rt140 and South Maple Street in Bellingham (see photo), an area that has significant traffic issues as is.

The meeting is at the Franklin Municipal Building. Both Franklin and Bellingham residents are welcome, and a strong presence is crucial to having our voices heard.

Since the land is privately owned, development is inevitable. However, the complex needs to be scaled down to a more reasonable size so as to minimize the impact to that all ready traffic-congested area.

Please try to attend the meeting, and please share the info.
(the photo depicts the total area of the proposed proposed project - the photo was edited to add an orange arrow/text to point out Garelick Farms.)

http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150323/NEWS/150328942


Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA)
Agenda item
1312 and 1330-1342 W. Central St – Acme Jazz, LLC Applicant is seeking a building permit to construct a 280 unit multi – family development. The building permit is denied without a comprehensive permit from the ZBA.
The full agenda for the ZBA meeting can be found here
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_ZBAAgendas/Agendas%202015/04-30-15%20ZBA%20Agenda.pdf

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Zoning Board of Appeals - March 19 - Agenda item on 280 unit apartment complex

via the network:


"Recently it was found out that a developer has gone before the Franklin Zoning Board of Appeals to obtain a permit to build a 280 unit apartment building at 1330-1342 West Central Street. This enormous complex would be next to (and sort of in front of) where Pump It Up used to be. While it is inevitable that the parcels will be developed at some point, to build something of this scale will only make the existing - and significant - traffic issues worse. 

In fact, Franklin's own report lists 1376 West Central Street as one of the top 20 locations for the highest number of vehicle crashes. (page 6, http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Planning/masterplandoc/docs/elements/C.pdf)

West Central Development
West Central Development
Here are photos of the proposed complex. The yellow highlighted area is what the complex will encompass. The photo has been edited, an orange arrow and the text "Garelick Farms" was added on the right side of the photo.



Help is needed to get this project scaled down to a reasonable size. 

Please attend the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, March 19, and please pass this info on to others."



Note the agenda for the 2/26/15 ZBA meeting shows:

DUE TO LACK OF QUORUM – AGENDA HAS BEEN CONTINUED TO MARCH 19, 2015


2/26/15 agenda doc

3/19/15 agenda doc


Tuesday, January 10, 2012

"endorsed the final site plan"

The Milford Daily News reports on the Planning Board meeting Monday night:
D’Errico’s final site plan calls for an eight-apartment building next to his existing 10-unit building, with a parking lot between them, and access from Winter Street. 
Neighbors came to nearly every meeting over the last several months, but publicly spoke at only a few of them. Their initial complaints were about whether the buildings fit with the neighborhood. Recently, neighbors have worried that under the new plan, trees will be removed and reveal a large, red, factory-like building on adjoining property. That building has been there for years. D’Errico does not own that building. 
Planning Board members agreed with residents, rejecting the proposed apartment building in 2007 and again in March 2011, before D’Errico re-introduced it in June 2011. 
The final site plan endorsed last night has a lower roof, slightly fewer paved parking area, and features about 75 trees and shrubs.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1178907480/Franklin-board-backs-apartment-plans#ixzz1j3C8rGFB