Our view: Cape Ann leading the way on affordable housing
July 28, 2016
The last several days have brought good news in the struggle to make Cape Ann a less expensive place to live for its residents.
Last week, the Gloucester Zoning Board of Appeals signed off on plans to transform the long-shuttered Cameron’s restaurant on Main Street into a new building with 30 affordable rental units and a first floor set aside for retail space. And earlier this week, the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, a public-private agency that helps nonprofit developers, backed a proposal for a new affordable housing complex on Granite Street in Rockport with a $564,000 interest-free loan.
That neither piece of news was seen as earth-shattering is a positive sign. Both projects, while far from complete, are examples of city officials, nonprofits and interested citizens working together to address one of the region’s most serious issues. Other communities on the North Shore where the first response to an affordable housing proposal is “not in my back yard,” should watch and learn.
There are several factors working in Cape Ann’s favor. First, the Gloucester and Rockport plans are backed by nonprofits with a long, solid track record in the region. The Cameron’s proposal is led by Gloucester’s Action Inc. and the North Shore Community Development Corporation, which manages several affordable housing initiatives across the region. So does Harborlight Community Partners, the nonprofit behind the Rockport proposal. (Harborlight already runs two elder housing sites in town, the Rockport High School Apartments and Pigeon Cove Ledges.)
All three agencies know how to listen. Both the Cameron’s and Rockport plans are so-called 40B projects, which allows developers to bypass most local permitting in communities where affordable housing makes up less than 10 percent of the housing stock. In Gloucester, 7.2 percent of the housing stock is considered affordable; in Rockport, the number is 3.3 percent.
The Cameron’s project, as approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals last week, is significantly different than what was first proposed. And that’s fine — the North Shore CDC held a series of sometimes-contentious forums in the city to hear what residents had to say, and took their concerns, and the suggestions of city officials, seriously.
The zoning board permit, for example, calls for the agencies to press the state to ensure preference is given to Gloucester residents and local veterans in need of affordable housing. And Action Inc. and the North Shore CDC made several design changes along the way. Their willingness to cooperate drew praise from city officials, including Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken.
“Affordable housing is critical for downtown development,” she said, “but hearing from all the voices within our community shaped improvements to the plans, making this project even better.”
North Shore CDC CEO Mickey Northcutt was similarly effusive.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with the city of Gloucester and can’t wait to get it built,” he said.
In Rockport, Harborlight CEO Andrew DeFranza has been meeting with local officials and neighbors of the 5 Granite St. site. The nonprofit has reached out to the Planning Board for input, and will make a presentation at its Aug. 18 meeting.
“The Planning Board is being asked to give input just because it’s a residential development,” Rockport town planner Kirk Baker told reporter Ray Lamont. “But I have done a site visit out there, and have met with (DeFranza) to discuss the idea of what they are going to be doing.”
Both projects have a long way to go before they begin. But the early signs are positive, and show what can be achieved when municipal officials and residents realize they can be partners instead of opponents.
Here’s hoping the rest of the region is watching.
© Copyright 2016 Gloucester Daily Times