Medfield State Hospital Master Plan Committee Update

The MSHMPC is meeting August 19th with Judi Barrett of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. Our housing workshop is intended to bring the committee up-to-date with the various housing types and regulations in the State. Committee Member Ralph Costello, a local developer, has written up information on the current state of housing in Medfield – from a demographic viewpoint. Part One of Housing in Medfield is presented below.

Current Housing in Medfield

In the last 40 years real estate development in Medfield has been almost exclusively single family homes which have been purchased by the baby boomer generation and generation X .  Single family homes were built for these groups on land subdivided into ¾ acre, 1 acre or 2 acre lots creating the many enclave neighborhoods that make up most of the housing stock in Medfield. This type of housing filled the need for both baby boomers and generation X. They wanted to raise families in safe, quiet neighborhoods. They wanted 4-5 bedrooms, multi-bath homes, two and three car garages, sidewalks, good size yards, swing sets and swimming pools.  And, they wanted the best education for their children. Medfield’s commitment to quality schools was a great attraction.

Four decades of land planning and home designs that focused solely on single family homes, and the preferences and lifestyle of the demographic groups with growing families resulted in an abundance of available housing options for baby boomers in years past and currently for the  growing families of  generation X,  but it has left a short supply of suitable housing  for the remaining demographic groups: seniors, millenials and ironically, baby boomers who now want to downsize into smaller homes.

The types of housing needed to respond to the needs of our citizens is a function of the changing needs of specific demographic groups.

Baby Boomers  (76 Million nationally, 51 – 69 years old) want to simplify their lives by downsizing to smaller homes with 1800 sq. ft. to 2400 sq. ft. with a 2 car garage, one level living with a master bedroom and bath on the first level, a mimiumum of 2 additional bedrooms which can be located on the first floor or second floor. Bedrooms are important as they want to have friends, family, children, and grandchildren visit and stay overnight. Boomers also want an open floor plan with the kitchen, dining area and great room side by side without separating walls. And, they want a private outside space for gardening. They are also looking for maintenance free homes. A higher density of homes (6-8 units per acre) is perfectly acceptable to baby boomers if the site plan includes ample open space.

Generation X  (32 – 50 years old), now the growing family generation is taking over where the baby boomers left off. They are now occupying the 4-5 bedroom single family homes in neighborhoods and have a choice of many housing options.

Seniors  (65 years or older) want much the same as baby boomers with emphasis on one level living. The large number of seniors who are  still working, or retired but mobile and active, need housing that supports their independent lifestyle. These homes can be more compact with 1200 sq. ft. to 2,000 sq. ft.,  2- 3 bedrooms and 1 or 2 car garages. A density of 6-10 units per acre works for this group if there is a private outside space or access to a walkable open space.
Some seniors who can no longer live independently are in need of assisted living housing.

Generation Y – Millennials  (80 million nationally, 18 to 30 years old)  want one or two bedroom  apartment or condo living with anywhere from 800 sq. ft. to 1400 sq. ft. of living space, with adequate parking for one or two vehicles. Millennials want to be mobile and not tied to the place they live, with a good 80% wanting to live in an urban setting. Changes in jobs, travel, and putting off marriage keeps them on the move. Convenient access to public transportation , retail shops and opportunities to socialize with other millenials is important. Higher densities are possible with this group (10 – 25 units per acre ).
Watch for more “Housing in Medfield” to follow.

Correction: Our email newsletter contained an error last week. The sentence “The only exception was a prior agreement allowing a 12 acre portion of the Sledding Hill area to be used for a single public building ” should read “The only exception is that the Town shall restrict development to a 12 acre portion of Parcel B (the Sledding Hill) area and place the remaining area in an Agricultural Preservation Restriction.[1]”

Please accept our apologies for the error.

[1]  Land Disposition Agreement for the Purchase of MSH, January 29, 2015