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Articles on North Shore Real Estate

The latest information about the association, our brokerage community, and the real estate industry.

General News
Topsfield Planning Board to Discuss Zoning Articles at Public Hearing

The Town of Topsfield Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday March 20th, 2024, at 7 p.m. The meeting will discuss zoning articles to be proposed for the 2024 Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Tuesday May 7th, 2024 at 7 p.m. Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, this meeting will also be held via remote means for members of the public who wish to watch or listen to the meeting virtually.

General News
Marblehead Creating New Town Charter

The town of Marblehead is seeking residents interested in serving on a new committee with the goal of creating a new town charter. This is a great opportunity for residents to play an active role in the future of the community. The intent of creating a new town charter is to help streamline government services, create a better-defined chain of command and oversight, and, ultimately, look for efficiencies and ways to save funds as the town faces increasing budget constraints. The deadline to submit letters of interest and resumes is March 22, 2024. Submit to Select Board, Abbot Hall, 188 Washington Street, or email wileyk@marblehead.org.

advocacy News
Attorney General Sues Town Over Non-Compliance of MBTA Communities Law

Attorney General Andrea Campbell filed a lawsuit against the Town of Milton for failure to comply with the MBTA Communities Law.
advocacy News
3A Non-Compliant Communities Face Penalties

The town of Milton becomes the first community to not adopt a 3A compliant zoning policy, as a result the state has enacted penalties.
advocacy News
Gloucester Comprehensive Plan

Gloucester has launched a Vision Drafting Questionnaire that will remain open through March 2. In addition to this, an in-person Public Vision Workshop will be held at City Hall on March 9. Later this Spring, an in-person Community Review of the Comprehensive Plan will take place on May 4 at City Hall. The city is currently in PHASE II of its four Phase Plan. The Gloucester Comprehensive Plan is scheduled to be complete by January 2025.

advocacy News
Middleton Discusses 3A Compliance

The town of Middleton will hold a public hearing on February 26 at 7pm at the Fuller Meadow School to discuss creation of a MBTA Communities Zoning Overlay District. Additionally, there will be discussion to allow for attached ADUs by-right and detached ADUs by special-permit as well as allow two-family homes by-right instead of by special permit on lots with twice the lot area required.
advocacy News
Attorney General Creating Housing Affordability Unit

Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office is creating a new division, dubbed the Housing Affordability Unit.
advocacy News
Danvers Strategic Plan Community Meetings

Danvers is holding meetings on Saturday, November 4th from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM and Wednesday, November 8th from 6:00-8:00 PM to discuss the Town’s strategic planning process.
advocacy News
Manchester-by-the-Sea Special Fall Town Meeting

Manchester-by-the-Sea is holding a Fall Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 6:30 PM at the Memorial School Gymnasium.
advocacy News
Essex 2023 Special Town Meeting

Essex is holding a Special Town Meeting on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 7:30 PM where residents will vote on an updated General Use Zoning District, a community impact fee on both professionally and owner-occupied short-term rentals and a revisited proposal for Essex to acquire land for the Apple Street Roadbed Elevation and Culvert Replacement Project.
advocacy News
Rockport ARPA Spending

The Rockport Selectboard is considering project proposals for the remaining $1.9 million of ARPA funding.
advocacy News
Manchester MBTA Taskforce to Present Status Report at Town Meeting

The Manchester-by-the-Sea MBTA task force will present a “status report” at the upcoming November 13 Special Town Meeting. The status report will provide an update on the taskforce’s efforts to study the 3A zoning requirements and to make recommendations to the town on how to address the State Law
advocacy News
Update: Beverly ADU Ordinance

After discussing the proposed ADU ordinance at the September 4th and 18th City Council meetings, the Beverly City Council is seeking a recommendation on potential revisions from the Planning Board.
advocacy News
Haverhill City Council Approves Buyout Option for Developers

The Haverhill City Council voted to approve a buyout fee that developers would have to pay to the Affordable Housing Trust to opt out of building affordable units.
advocacy News
Danvers Climate Action Plan

The Danvers Selectboard discussed the draft Resilient Danvers Climate Action, Sustainability, Preservation and Resiliency (CASPR) plan at their meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. The draft CASPR climate action plan outlines strategies to reduce carbon emissions and increase sustainability in Danvers.
advocacy News
Wenham Tree Management Plan Update

At the August 8, 2023, Wenham Selectboard meeting, Conservation and Open Space Coordinator Kate Mallory made a presentation to the Selectboard on the Wenham Tree Management Plan.
advocacy News
Proposed Zoning Changes in Haverhill

At their August 8th meeting, the Haverhill City Council discussed inclusionary zoning, updating the city’s Housing Production Plan, and reducing the minimum lot size in the Medium Density (RM) and Rural Density (RR) zones.

advocacy News
Haverhill to Develop Affordable ADU Assistance Pilot Program

Representative Andy Vargas secured a $50,000 earmark in the state budget to provide assistance Haverhill residents seeking to build an affordable Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The financial assistance will take the form of a grant or a low interest loan.
advocacy News
Shetland Park Engagement Study Completed

The Shetland Park Planning Engagement Study, which was a collaboration between the Prime Group Development Team and the City of Salem Planning Department, has been completed.
advocacy News
Ipswich Planning Board Considers ADU Ordinance Update

On July 27, 2023, the Ipswich Planning Board held a meeting where they discussed a potential zoning amendment to the town’s ADU ordinance.
advocacy News
Georgetown MBTA Compliance Update

Earlier in the year, Georgetown received a $20,000 grant from the state for technical assistance to comply with multifamily zoning requirements for MBTA communities, commonly referred to as 3A.
advocacy News
Manchester MBTA Taskforce Mission Statement

The Manchester-by-the-Sea MBTA Zoning Task Force finalized their mission statement at their July 20, 2023, meeting.
advocacy News
Salem Revisits Inclusionary Zoning

Salem is revisiting the implementation of an inclusionary zoning ordinance, which was not passed by the City Council in 2019. The Salem Affordable Housing Trust will serve as the project advisory committee and will engage with the City Council and Planning Department beginning in September.
education News
Considerations for Retaining the Marital Home After a Divorce

Will I be able to keep my house? This is the most common question divorce professionals hear from their clients who are getting a divorce and own a home. Find out more about your financing options here.