The Planning Board gave its final comments on the proposed Hopkinton Mews development, a development with some affordable housing on the corner of Lumber Street and West Main Street, during its November 4 meeting. All comments made by the town will be gathered by the Board of Selectmen and sent to MassHousing. MassHousing will then make recommendations to the Board of Appeals when an application is filed with the Board.
Hopkinton Mews is the updated apartment portion of the proposed Acres development and will be built on 25 acres of land. The developer for the project is Rob Hewitt. There will be 250 apartment units with 230 apartment units in seven three-story complexes and 20 townhouse apartments in six townhouse buildings with one to three bedrooms in each. A clubhouse with a pool, gym, and common areas will be available for residents to use. A greenscape area for residents is proposed as is connecting the site to the existing trail system in town with open space and the wetlands area nearby. A new roadway and a parking lot with 489 parking spaces will be built for the complex. Some garage space will be available for residents to rent. Commercial properties are planned along the new roadway as part of a later development. 25% of the units will be affordable, meaning that the entire complex can be counted toward the town’s affordable housing goal.
Planning Board Chairman Ken Weismantel noted that for the project to receive town water, an increased water withdrawal permit would be needed.
“If we were to give water to this project, while that might be doable, it is not one, without cost, and two, it is a big concern,” said Weismantel.
The need for sidewalks in the development along West Main Street was noted by the Board. Weismantel also noted that the town is making good steps toward its goal and that all of the affordable housing units at Legacy Farms have not been rented.
“That might take some time to get there, but… you’ve got to look at supply and demand and whether or not the timing is correct for this to come forward,” said Weismantel.
Because of the affordable housing, a host-community agreement is not available unless Hewitt feels the need for one. However, the Board of Appeals can enter into negotiation with Hewitt if there is an important issue to be discussed. In response to comments that the town was taking its time to negotiate with Hewitt, Weismantel stated that Hewitt was late in providing necessary information during discussion for the Acres development, and that a lot of progress has been made on the project in the past few months.
The comments will now be sent to the Board of Selectmen, and any other comments made by the town will be gathered and sent to MassHousing. Recommendations for the project will then be relayed to the Board of Appeals during discussions of the Hopkinton Mews development.
To watch the entire meeting, click here.
