The project, presented by a representative from Penrose, has been in development since the town issued a request for proposals in 2024. The representative provided an overview of the project design, highlighting community engagement efforts and adjustments made in response to public feedback. The development team, comprising architects and civil engineers, emphasized the incorporation of green spaces and existing trees, alongside enhancements in parking availability and building orientation to address community concerns. Despite these efforts, issues such as building height, which slightly exceeds the 30-foot limit, and the request for multiple variances from local regulations remain contentious points.

Public commentary during the meeting revealed widespread unease about the project’s alignment with Chatham’s character. Residents voiced concerns over the proposed structures’ heights, which could reach up to 35 feet, and the implications on neighborhood density. The development’s proximity to residential areas has drawn criticism for potentially overwhelming the existing community scale. Mike Shell, representing the Affordable Housing Trust Board and the Select Board, recounted the project’s origins, including the acquisition of the Buckley property in 2021 and subsequent community engagement. However, he acknowledged that not all feedback had been unanimously supportive.

Attorney Bill Riley, representing local stakeholders, requested modifications to building heights to prevent overshadowing residential properties. Elaine Gibbs, a resident, criticized the project’s dimensions and questioned the effectiveness of proposed landscaping, citing past experiences with immature plantings. Concerns extended to the project’s impact on local resources, such as water and sewer systems, and the practicality of reduced vehicle ownership given the area’s limitations in public transport and amenities.

Board members conveyed apprehensions about the project’s density and height, debating the feasibility of reducing the number of units or adjusting building designs to better fit the town’s aesthetic. Discussions also touched on procedural elements, with recognition that this was the board’s first hearing under the 40B process, which allows for expedited affordable housing project reviews. The board unanimously agreed to continue the hearing to June 5th, with plans for further collaboration with the applicant on technical reviews.

In addition to the affordable housing project, the board considered several other applications, including a proposal for a single-family dwelling in a general business zone. The applicant argued that the modest home would not detract from the neighborhood, which comprises a mix of residential and commercial properties. The board responded favorably, emphasizing the project’s alignment with local standards and unanimously approving the application.

Another topic of discussion was the variance request for a staircase on Meeting House Road. The applicant cited safety concerns as justification, comparing the situation to previous court cases where safety considerations had warranted variances. However, board members highlighted the lack of unique land characteristics justifying the variance, ultimately leading to a withdrawal of the application without prejudice.