March 1, 2008  |  The Enterprise
Easton grapples with development
The need for affordable housing clashes with residents’ worries that the complexes will strain services and change their community’s character.
By Vicki-Ann Downing
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER

EASTON — One way or another, builder Douglas A. King will be developing a 60-acre parcel of land off Route 138.

It could be a medical office building or a supermarket. It could be an apartment or condo complex under the Chapter 40B affordable housing law.

Or it could be a “village-style” development of businesses, affordable apartments and condominiums.

Affordable housing is crucially needed in Massachusetts, state leaders and economic experts say, at least partly to keep younger skilled workers from fleeing the state for less-costly homes elsewhere.

The middle of the Massachusetts housing-price market is roughly twice as expensive as it was a decade ago. And the current drop in housing prices is modest compared to the climb that preceded it, according to Boston Real Estate Now.

But in Easton and many other communities, developers wishing to build affordable housing complexes often find themselves at odds with residents and local officials. The local people worry these developments will strain local services, endanger natural resources and forever change the character of their communities.

“Everybody says affordable housing is a good idea, but the only ones who truly believe it’s a good idea are the ones who really need it,” says developer Nick Mirrione.

In Easton, the Planning Board last week held a three-hour public hearing on a new zoning bylaw that would allow the town to create its first “Smart Growth” district on the 60 acres off Route 138, across from the intersection with Belmont Street (Route 123).

The board continued the hearing until March 13. If it decides to recommend the bylaw, the measure would then need a two-thirds vote of approval from voters at a special town meeting on April 14.

If the new zoning district is established, it would clear the way for King to formally propose his “Queset Commons,” a development of 280 units of densely clustered housing, including affordable and assisted-living residences. It may also include a wastewater treatment plant, improvements at routes 138 and 123, and a three-bay fire station.

It would be the biggest development project in the town’s history.

But whether the town’s voters approve the requested “Smart Growth” zoning for King’s acreage, it’s clear he will develop the property somehow.

King listened without comment during the Planning Board hearing, during which some residents complained that Queset Commons would be too close to the town’s wells and would discharge treated wastewater into the aquifer protection district.

After the meeting, King told a reporter, “This is why the state passed Chapter 40B. You try to build affordable housing but (communities) don’t want (to approve) affordable housing.”

Only about 3 percent of Easton’s housing stock qualifies as “affordable,” below the state requirement of 10 percent.

Until Easton (or any community) reaches that 10 percent threshold, developers can bypass local bylaws and build Chapter 40B complexes in the city or town.

‘Smart Growth’ option

The Smart Growth law, also known as Chapter 40R, was enacted to give communities incentive to build affordable housing.

Unlike Chapter 40B, developments built under 40R must obtain local approval first for their locations. Local officials also have a say in the design.

Smart Growth districts are designed for areas within walking distance of transit centers, such as bus and train stations.

Mark S. Bartlett, an engineer for King, said the Easton location meets the criteria because a Brockton Area Transit bus route that now includes the Easton Industrial Park would be expanded to stop at Queset Commons and travel between the Stoughton and Brockton commuter rail stations.

The state rewards communities that enact Smart Growth districts with monetary incentives. Easton could receive payments of $1 million from the state if King builds all 220 units of assisted living and residential housing that he proposes in Queset Commons.

The affordable housing would fill a need, according to the Easton Housing Partnership, which determined several years ago that young professionals cannot afford to buy property in town.

“We like this project,” Housing Partnership member Mary Fitzgerald told the Planning Board. “It’s a very smart project and we hope it goes through.”

More plans for Easton

But the Housing Partnership also backed developer Mirrione’s plan last year to introduce “cottage housing” to Easton. Like Smart Growth, cottage housing is dense, with several units clustered on a single acre.

Such creative zoning is needed to accommodate first-time buyers, young professionals and older residents looking to downsize, all of whom are “priced out” of Easton, the partnership has said.

Mirrione’s proposal for a cottage housing bylaw was shot down at town meeting last year. It failed in West Bridgewater, too. Two weeks ago, Mansfield selectmen also rejected the proposal.

Mirrione may be building cottage housing in Easton anyway, using the old standby, Chapter 40B. He is proposing two projects.

“Eastondale Cottages” would be built on 3.74 acres off Pine Street. It would include 28 cottage-style single-family homes, seven of them priced affordably. “West Meadow Cottages” would be built off Turnpike Street, with 16 units in Easton and 12 units in West Bridgewater. Four cottages in Easton and three cottages in West Bridgewater would be sold as affordable units.

If MassHousing approves Mirrione’s application, he will seek a comprehensive permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

“We’ll see what happens,” Mirrione said.