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.