Developer Proposes 80-Unit Senior Housing Project

WAYLAND, MA-In a twist to most towns’ antipathy toward affordable-housing projects, town officials in Wayland are receptive to a developer’s proposal to build an 80-unit project on Route 27.

The developer, Intoccia Associates of Foxborough, plans to file for a comprehensive permit under Chapter 40B, the state’s affordable housing law. The permit will allow the developer to bypass local zoning laws if the project has at least 25% affordable housing and the town does not have 10% of its housing affordable. According to Jeff Ritter, executive secretary for Wayland, the town is at 3.5% affordable housing.

But Ritter tells GlobeSt.com, the town encourages building affordable housing in its midst. He says that while the developer has not formally submitted an application to the town, Intoccia made a presentation to the town selectmen and he notes that the selectmen are “supportive” of the project. The mixed-use housing project is being proposed for a residentially-zoned area with 40 market rate units and 40 affordable-housing units.