At the forefront of the meeting was the public hearing for the comprehensive permit application under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B. NOAH’s plan involves transforming a 10.5-acre site currently occupied by a mix of commercial and abandoned properties into a 100% affordable housing development. This ambitious project is divided into two phases: the first will see the construction of 64 units, and the second will add 42 more. These units will be housed in a combination of two-story and three-story buildings, with the latter including a community center for residents.

The project’s introduction was handled by a representative from NOAH’s legal team, who outlined the agenda and introduced the project team. Key elements of the discussion included the environmental and logistical challenges posed by the site, notably its proximity to wetlands and a commuter rail station less than a mile away. NOAH emphasized their commitment to sustainability, planning to incorporate features like photovoltaic systems to bolster climate change resilience.

Environmental concerns were a significant topic, with focused dialogues on stormwater management and the site’s existing poor infiltration conditions. The development team proposed a comprehensive system to manage runoff. However, community members expressed skepticism about the efficacy of these measures, citing past drainage issues. One resident, living at the bottom of a cul-de-sac, voiced fears of flooding due to inadequate water management, emphasizing previous experiences with water leaching during heavy rains and snowmelt.

Traffic impacts were another critical concern for the community. With an additional 60 cars expected from the new development, questions were raised about the capacity of Fitchburg Road to handle this increase. A committee member pointedly remarked on the road’s limited capacity.

The meeting also delved into the project’s parking arrangements, discussing a proposed ratio of approximately 1.48 parking spaces per unit. While some members noted that affordable housing developments historically show lower parking demands, others worried about the reality of family vehicle ownership, especially given the project’s proximity to public transportation options.

Beyond these logistical issues, the meeting addressed the regulatory and procedural aspects of the project. Discussions centered on the project’s waiver list and the necessity of peer reviews for areas such as civil engineering, traffic, and environmental impacts. The board debated the potential need for more frequent meetings to adequately review the project’s progress, balancing this need against the practicality of preparation time for detailed analyses.

The complexities of regulatory frameworks, such as the “safe harbor” provisions under the housing production plan, were also examined. These provisions allow for a one- or two-year safe harbor if certain thresholds of affordable housing stock are approved within specified timeframes. The meeting clarified that the current application would not be retroactively influenced by subsequent housing stock increases.

As the meeting concluded, the board set the next meeting date for August 17, 2022, to continue discussions remotely via Zoom. This format was chosen to encourage public participation, which had increased during the pandemic due to the convenience of virtual attendance. The committee underscored the importance of maintaining open dialogue with the community, with a dedicated webpage established to provide access to all project-related documents and enable ongoing public engagement.