Harwich Board of Appeals Approves 60-Unit Affordable Housing Project on Queen Anne Road

HARWICH -- June 25, 2026, Harwich Board of Appeals unanimously approves 60-unit affordable housing complex on Queen Anne Road. The board voted 5-0 Thursday to approve a comprehensive permit for Penrose LLC and the Harwich Affordable Housing Trust to build 14 townhome-style buildings totaling 60 family rental units at 456 Queen Anne Road under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B. A separate 4-1 vote on conditions governing affordability duration saw member Kenneth Dixon cast the lone dissent, saying he believes Harwich residents expect "permanent affordable housing" and that the deal, which protects only 25 percent of units, or 15 units, at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income in perpetuity, falls short. Three public commenters, including residents who monitor Hinkley Pond through the PALS volunteer testing program, urged the board to require phosphorus-reduction technology above Title V compliance, citing a 2019 alum treatment costing more than half a million dollars whose benefits had largely dissipated by last summer. The board declined to impose such a condition but encouraged Penrose to monitor emerging septic technologies, noting that the existing system is state-compliant and any additional condition could be overturned by the state.