By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Shrewsbury – Following upon an Oct. 28 public hearing, the Board of Selectmen Nov. 12 continued its discussion of two proposed “friendly 40B projects” that had been proposed for the town. By night’s end, the board had decided to support one proposal and reject the other.
Initially in August there were three projects in discussion, but since two were from the same developer, they were consolidated into one. That proposal was presented by local attorney Roderick A. St. Pierre and Smart Growth Design LLC for two developments: 192 units at Park Place West, 440 Hartford Turnpike, and 128 units at Park Place East, 526 Hartford Turnpike. The second proposal, from William and Robert Depietri of Capital Group Properties LLC, in Southborough, is for 150 units at 258 and 274 Walnut St.
The meeting, which was filled with interested Shrewsbury residents, opened with Selectman Henry Fitzgerald summarizing his dislike for the 40B process, which, as he stated, pits towns against a state mandate to force low and moderate income housing into sites where such a project could potentially harm the community. He continued that after “much” public input and much consideration of the two “friendly 40Bs” that had been submitted, the combined proposal from Smart Growth Design embodied many of the aspects to which he and others oppose. Fitzpatrick continued that he was against continuing to consider it as the proposal failed to address the town’s concerns regarding development.
Selectman Moira Miller added that she, too, considered the project’s plans too vague and that she would likewise not support it. In the same vein, Selectman Maurice DePalo noted that he saw little to recommend the project, with problems in traffic management and a lack of commercial property development. He, too, urged non-support. Selectmen Chair James Kane then added his opposition, noting that the sudden appearance of a five-story building to the site was just one more reason to oppose it.
The board then turned to the proposal from Capital Group properties. Fitzgerald stated that for this project, the developer had shown a willingness to work with the board to take into consideration concerns from the town and its residents in changing the proposed mix of residences to an over-55 plan, mitigating the impact upon town schools, while reducing the project’s size and incorporating commercial property. While other issues remain unclear – including waste water management, building height, traffic flow, and landscaping – Fitzgerald indicated that none of these were at this time factors that would halt the planning process. DePalo than added that the Capital Group seemed to be operating in good faith in reconfiguring the plans while offering mitigation money to the town. He added that while he was not in favor of 40B mandates, he would support the board in moving forward with considering this project. Kane agreed that the project appeared to be a good faith effort.
The board voted to approve, 4-0, the Capital Group project moving forward while denying the proposal from Smart Growth Designs.(Selectman John Lebeaux was absent from the meeting.)