The meeting, chaired by Steve Judge, included a discussion on the comprehensive permit application from Wayfinders for a mixed-income rental housing development. The board had not yet conducted a site visit but planned to do so in early September. The project submissions included sustainability plans, site design, landscaping, and traffic impact assessments. The chair emphasized that future meetings would focus on specific topics related to the permit applications.

Nate Malloy, a senior planner, provided an overview of the town’s affordable housing initiatives, highlighting the long-term prioritization of the East Street and Belchertown Road sites for development. Malloy stated, “The town is a partner with Wayfinders,” underscoring the collaborative effort to bring affordable housing to fruition. The discussion revealed that the East Street site had been under consideration since the early 2010s, with extensive outreach and concept studies conducted to evaluate its potential. The Belchertown Road site was specifically acquired for affordable housing development, rather than recreation or conservation.

Wayfinders representatives, including project managers and legal counsel, introduced themselves and detailed their roles in the project. Jamie Gruber, the project manager, emphasized Wayfinders’ long-term commitment to managing developments and noted their experience with over 60 rental projects in the region. Gruber stated, “Wayfinders is the largest nonprofit housing provider serving Western Massachusetts,” highlighting their extensive services from homelessness assistance to homeownership support.

The proposed developments at both sites include adaptive reuse and new construction. The East Street site will transform the former school building into six apartments and add 25 new units, while the Belchertown Road site will feature a three-story building with 47 new units, incorporating sustainability measures such as all-electric systems and potential solar arrays. Community amenities like offices, community rooms, and shared spaces for residents are also planned.

The income restrictions for the affordable housing units will be based on area median income levels, with specific limits tailored to various household sizes. For example, a four-person household earning 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), approximately $65,700, could expect to pay around $1,700 per month, inclusive of utilities. The project includes a mix of income-restricted units and market-rate units, with 68 of the 78 units being income-restricted.

During the meeting, an attorney representing Wayfinders outlined requests for waivers from certain zoning and bylaw requirements, including use and dimensional criteria and local wetlands bylaws. The list of requested waivers is dynamic and may be modified as the project progresses. The discussion also touched on the inclusion of electric vehicle (EV) parking, with future site lighting plans incorporating EV charging stations.

The site design for the Belchertown Road project emphasized pedestrian-friendly environments and sustainability. The building’s design includes a main entry facing the street and a courtyard at the rear, with provisions for solar panel installation. The landscaping plan features native species, trees, and shrubs to enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of the site.

Concerns about environmental impacts were addressed, with plans for ecological restoration of wetlands and streams. The development’s proximity to public transport and local amenities was noted as an advantage.

Public comments were welcomed, with Angelica Katzer, a resident and abutter, expressing support for the project. Wayfinders representatives responded to public comments by displaying the illustrative site plan and explaining the balance between preserving the historic school building and adding new structures.

The board discussed the schedule for future meetings and confirmed dates for continued discussions on the comprehensive permit applications. A motion to continue the hearing to September 19th was passed, and the meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.