The permit process for the Washington + Swanton development is finally starting!

Winchester Zoning Board of Appeals ("ZBA") will commence public hearings on Melanson Development Group’s zoning permit to build this 60-unit multifamily housing development on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

This in-person hearing starts at 7pm in the Select Board Room on the second floor of Town Hall. (Note: the 2nd floor is accessible by elevator; enter the rear door off the parking lot behind Town Hall.). The meeting agenda is here.

Public support is needed for this development!

At this first hearing, the ZBA will give a brief overview of the 40B process and Melanson will give a full presentation on the project design. All materials can be found here.

There will be subsequent hearings on topics like stormwater, traffic impact, etc.

Some ZBA hearings allow public comments, and our coalition can organize comments/emails/letter writing on this development. 

Later hearing dates will be posted on the town’s calendar of government meetings.

ZBA hearings are often shown on WinCAM and can also be viewed later on WInCAM's “On Demand” portal. 

Citizens Housing & Planning Association (“CHAPA”), a longstanding statewide non-profit, is bringing back its “Affordable Housing 101” training online on Tuesday, May 20th from 6:30pm to 8pm, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Housing Partnership.

This training session is intended as a primer for anyone who wants to learn more about how affordable housing is produced, funded, and preserved in Massachusetts. It is free and open to the public.

Topics covered in this session include:

• Definition of "Affordable Housing"
• Affordable Housing Trust Funds
• Inclusionary Zoning
• Community Preservation Act
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit
• Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act
• MBTA Communities Law
• Transfer Fees
• Community Land Trusts
• Missing Middle Housing
• …and more!

Get this orientation just in time for the ZBA meeting on Washington & Swanton!

Pre-registration is required, again this is at no charge. Register here.

Please note: This session is not intended to help individuals find affordable housing for themselves or their families. You can find affordable rental opportunities through the Housing Navigator and affordable homeownership opportunities through My Mass Home.

This edition's featured resource is missingmiddlehousing.com. This website illustrates and describes the concept of "missing middle" housing types, such as duplexes, townhouses, and courtyard apartments.

Increasing housing stock that fills the 'missing middle' gap, which is pronounced in Winchester, will increase the amount of affordable housing and will foster a more sustainable and accessible future for all our town.

Other resources can be found on the Resources page of the Winchester Housing Coalition website!