Marblehead board proposes housing plan

MARBLEHEAD – The Fair Housing Committee is looking at what could be an important affordable housing plan: a proposal to build 18 housing units, at least nine of them affordable, on 1.1 acres, part of the former Turner Farm on Litchman and Turner avenues.Committee spokesmen Kurt James and Dirk Isbrandtsen made a brief presentation on their proposal to selectmen last week, calling it “a friendly 40B,” a reference to the state law that allows developers to bypass zoning bylaws if they include affordable housing in their plans.The plan will have to go before Town Meeting to be approved, since it involves town-owned land.Selectmen’s comments were favorable but the board postponed any support until Jan. 14 because only four of the five members were present. Selectman William Woodfin is expected to be present at the next meeting.Selectmen Chairman Jackie Belf-Becker urged the committee to speak with neighbors of the project during that time to see if there were any issues.Nine of the 18 units could be sold at market rates, about $320,000 per unit, to finance the total construction costs. If the market rate sales are higher than anticipated, the surplus could go to the town or an additional affordable unit could be created.Selectman Harry Christensen pointed out to the board that the Turner Farm was donated to the town by the former owners and used to provide $1 house lots to returning World War II veterans.Christensen said he would like to see the full board vote on any formal commitment, but thought that four members could endorse further work on the proposal. Other members preferred to wait until Woodfin could be present.