CHRISTINE M. SANTORO,chairwoman of the Easton Planning and Zoning Board, responded to this editorial with a letter to the Boston Globe explaining the Town's action. She criticized the developmet as having "greatly increased density with no additional open space; high ground water and shared septic systems; demand on the water supply; parking and safety; increased school population necessitating classroom expansions and teacher hiring. Moreover, the cottages would not count as affordable housing as calculated by the Commonwealth."

The point about schools are meaningless, since these tiny houses would likely attract empty-nesters, single people, or couples without kids. The point about the se...

CHRISTINE M. SANTORO,chairwoman of the Easton Planning and Zoning Board, responded to this editorial with a letter to the Boston Globe explaining the Town's action. She criticized the developmet as having "greatly increased density with no additional open space; high ground water and shared septic systems; demand on the water supply; parking and safety; increased school population necessitating classroom expansions and teacher hiring. Moreover, the cottages would not count as affordable housing as calculated by the Commonwealth."

The point about schools are meaningless, since these tiny houses would likely attract empty-nesters, single people, or couples without kids. The point about the septic is a good one... sewer would be more appropriate for that density. But, counting the units as "affordable" with the state raises an interesting question. Is housing affordable if it's not subsidized? Or should the developer be praised for simply selling a product at a price that people can afford!