The Planning Board put its full weight behind the Zoning Board of Appeals in its decision-rendering process of Bay Watch Realty Trust’s request to modify a Special Permit application for its latest proposed affordable housing development.
“I think we can all agree that the ZBA is doing a great job,” said Chairman Jay Ryder at the board’s January 3 meeting, in response to the formal request that the Planning Board weigh in on the application.
This past fall, Bay Watch offered to significantly scale down its 40B project – which originally was for 168 units – to 96 units. The plan includes two affordable 30-unit apartment buildings (60 total units), positioned south toward Route 105 and 36 non-affordable homes north on the parcel beyond the apartments. It is now before the ZBA, as well as the Conservation Commission.
The Planning Board issued an official “no comment” on the application, which implies that it trusts the ZBA to handle the matter. However, some Planning Board members expressed concern about the revised 40B project, in particular its separation of affordable and unaffordable units.
“I personally don’t think it’ll fly in the long term,” said Vice Chair Tom Magauran. He expressed concern that the two 30-unit buildings are 100 percent affordable, not 25 percent as typically preferred by the HCD, and do not mix income types.
“If you do fill it, you are filling it all with 60 tenants who meet this low-income requirement – they all will be under financial stress. The project will not be successful in the long term if you are going to have every one of the units under financial stress. It can become a problem,” he added.
Current affordable housing rates in Marion, which would apply to the project, would set income limits at $44,959 for one person and $51,400 for two people. One affordable housing complex in Marion, Marion Marketplace, advertises one bedroom for $829, not including heat, hot water and electricity. Mr. Magauran noted that market rates are comparable, thus filling the affordable units – with their extensive application process – would be difficult.
“And this is not to be disparaging to financially stressed people, if you are financially stressed you have all of these pressures in your world. [The 40B project] will have social costs,” he said.
Relatedly, board member Sherman Briggs encouraged the public to attend the ZBA meetings and for individuals to offer their input on the revised project.
“This is a lot for a small town, and to make [the two units] 100 percent affordable makes it a joke for the town, and it is a bad joke,” added Mr. Magauran.
Also at the meeting, Mr. Ryder said that Cumberland Farms may begin the demolition and reconstruction of its expanded pumps and two-story convenience store as early as March. He predicted that safety issues will need to be addressed as vehicles could crowd the other Cumberland Farms gas station during construction.
“It’ll be a nightmare, but it’s going to be interesting,” said board member Steve Gonsalves.
In other business, the Planning Board unanimously endorsed an Approval Not Required Petition for 1101A Point Road presented by Frank Westgate on behalf of Tangi Pina.
The board also decided to discuss at its next meeting on Tuesday, January 17 possible warrant article items for the annual town meeting in May.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli