The board of appeals granted approval for the development butthe state environmental review process must be completed. Dale saysthe company hopes to be in the ground by spring 2001. Included inthe negotiations were lower sewer and water fees for thedevelopment and an agreement that 25% of the apartments would beaffordable housing.

"There is a backlash in local communities against high-densityhousing," notes Ross J. Moore, vice president and national directorof research for Colliers International. "There is a scarcity ofland and people are careful about what gets built and where.Smaller projects accomplish that."

Virginia-based AvalonBay, which has been acquiring and buildingmultifamily products in the Bay State since 1992, currently hassimilar residential developments either completed or proposed inWeymouth, Peabody, Marlborough and Hull. Amenities in Westboroughwill include a fully developed clubhouse, pool, spa, indoorbasketball court, fitness center and a resident lounge. Prices willbe approximately $1.40 per sf per month. Nearly 14 acres will beheld in a conservation easement.