28 April, 2015
On HCAM's "Point of Order" Planning Board Member Frank D'Urso and Roy MacDowell of Legacy Farms debated Article 30 on the town meeting warrant. If passed Article 30 would allow 200,000 sq feet of commercial space to be replaced with 180 age restricted units on the North Side of Legacy Farms. Several years ago it was voted to allow commercial space in the parcel.
MacDowell in support of article 30 stated some of the benefits of the plan would be a significant increase in net revenue; "the generation of net revenue on a commercial basis on that particular parcel would be $160,000 a year, under our proposal doing age restricted over 55 housing, that parcel with some adjustments in the number of single family homes in the project would bring the net revenue to 1.5 million dollars a year." MacDowell also argued their would be less traffic; "we all know commercial properties generate more traffic than residential." MacDowell expressed that schools would not be affected negatively; "they'll be no school age children attributable to the budget so it won't have an affect on school children, if anything they'll be slightly less school children because we're eliminating 35 single family homes." MacDowell summarized the benefits of Article 30 passing; "when we look at the big picture of less traffic, significantly more revenue and no negative impact on the school systems, I think its a very wise proposal."
Planning Board member Frank D'Urso argued against the plan; "one of the reasons I am against it is because I think the commercial space is a key part of what a lot of people voted for several years ago." D'Urso believes that the original plan is better for the town and safer; "I think the original plan to put office space there is more viable and safer for people." D'Urso's 2 main points were that traffic would be relieved from 135; "Wilson street is going to be a lot more accessible for traffic because the legacy park north road will take a lot of traffic off of 135 and bring it on to Wilson street and Route 85." D'Urso also argued that putting 180 age restricted homes near the gas tanks in the area could be dangerous; "it's more of a concern if you have 180 age restricted homes packed in an area right near the gas tanks." "I would like to retain the original plan from seven years ago and put office space in there... bring more jobs to Hopkinton and increase the commercial tax base and reduce the residential tax base."
For more watch the video below.
