First, the Medfield Press’ Mike Gleason did a good article on Rosebay this week, available here
Second, I answered a query from a neighbor this morning that I thought others might find useful, so I am inserting it below.
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Rosebay, which is technically not an expansion of Tilden Village, proposes to provide 45 units of income restricted housing for seniors on Pound Street land owned by the Medfield Housing Authority next to Tilden Village, which project has been initiated and pushed forward by the Medfield Housing Authority.
The Board of Selectmen have for years asked the Medfield Housing Authority to move forward with such a project. The current Director, Candace Loewen, and her board have been the ones to actually get it done, and for that the town needs to thank them. However, I think the town was surprised by the size and scale of the end product.
The only way to create such a project at this time is by using low income tax credit financing, where the tax credits for such projects issued by the state get sold to pay for the building of the project. The rental income would not be great enough for such a project to get regular financing. The Parc was also built using this method.
There seems to be universal agreement that more such senior housing is needed in Medfield, with the point of disagreement being whether the size and mass of this current proposal is disqualifying.
The decision of what to do with that project rests entirely with the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Town of Medfield, in response to the application for a comprehensive permits that was recently filed. There will likely be several nights of hearings, the first of which is scheduled for August 15, 2019. The ZBA will retain, at the developer’s expense, its own experts to peer review the application and to make recommendations to the ZBA. In the usual circumstance, the ZBA has a Hobson’s choice, since if they deny the application the developer will merely appeal to the state Housing Appeals Committee (https://www.mass.gov/service-details/housing-appeals-committee-hac), which tends to always allow almost all developer appeals. Therefore the usual ZBA task is to thread the needle of approving the application, but with conditions that make it more palatable for the town while not making it “uneconomic” (statutory term) for the developer.
In this instance, the ZBA has the additional decision to make, namely as to whether to invoke the town’s current “safe harbor” status under G. L. c. 40B, which allows the ZBA to deny the application outright.
So the ZBA decision will need to be a political balancing act by the ZBA members between a desirable, needed project that can apparently only be economically done with all 45 units, versus a project that many seem to feel is generally out of scale with the existing neighborhood. It would be a much easier decision if the project was only two stories tall – I spoke to the developer about reducing it to two stories, and was told it cannot be done.
Further complicating the decision is the fact that the project is used by the Affordable Housing Trust’s projections as what is both necessary to keep the town within the 40B safe harbor while we get to the ultimate 10% affordable housing and to achieve the 10% affordable housing number that then provides ongoing safe harbor to the town. Therefore, denying this project would put the town back at risk in several years of unfriendly 40B projects, such as the Mega-B, and as long as the town if below the 10% Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) level by even one unit, we are at risk from an unfriendly 40B of up to 200 units..
The Rosebay developer has already reduced the size and scale of the project some, as the result of a series of meetings with an ad hoc group of residents, mainly from the Planning Board and the Affordable Housing Trust. The recent positive memo from that group to the Board of Selectmen can be found on my blog.
The Medfield Housing Authority Director and board members were active and strong proponents for the project when it was discussed at the Board of Selectmen meeting Tuesday evening, making the points about how long their waiting list are for seniors seeking affordable housing and now much the 45 units of housing are therefore needed in town. That is an argument and a constituency that will be hard for the ZBA to ignore. Similarly, the neighbors have valid concerns about the size and scale of the proposal, as it would not be allowed there but for being a 40B project.
This presents a true Hobson’s choice for the ZBA – does is disappoint the neighbors, or does it disappoint the seniors, the Medfield Housing Authority and put the town at risk for unfriendly 40B’s. Perhaps the ZBA can craft an acceptable compromise.
![MICHAEL J. SULLIVAN Town Admmislralor TOWN OF MEDFIELD Office of BOARD OF SELECTMEN TOWN HOUSE, 459 MAIN STREET MEDFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 02052-0315 (508) 359-8505 November27,2018 Catherine Racer, Associate Director Division ofHousing and Development Department ofHousing and Community Development 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 Boston, Massachusetts 02114 RE: Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit Project Name: Location: NumberofUnits: Subsidizing Agency: Applicant: The Rosebay at Medfield 30 Pound Street, Medfield, MA, 02502 45 Units (45 affordable) DHCD Newgate Housing LLC Dear Ms. Racer, Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Project Eligibility Application under the Chapter 40B program for a proposed Low Income Housing Tax Credit ("LIHTC") development. The Rosebay at Medfield, a 45-unit senior housing rental development proposed by Newgate Housing LLC contains 37 one-bedroom units and 8 two-bedroom units as well as programming space for elder services. The project site is currently in partial use as a Medfield Housing Authority senior housing property ("Tilden Village"). Tilden Village includes 60 units within six two-story buildings and is served by existing municipal infrastructure. As Tilden Village is not served by elevators and none ofthe upper-story units are accessible, and as the proposed development includes programming space for elder services, it is logical to locate new senior housing on the undeveloped two-acre portion ofthe site. There is very limited available land in Medfield that is served by public water and sewer - including most undeveloped Town-owned land and the former Medfield State Hospital Site. This presents significant challenges to the provision ofaffordable housing on other Town-owned sites. In order to increase the supply of handicap accessible affordable senior rental housing which would provide a modest number oftwo-bedroom units to accommodate households with authorized home care workers the site at 30 Pound Street is ideal given its proximate location to the Town Center, existing senior housing, and local services. The Medfield Board ofSelectmen has reviewed the application and is in support ofthe concept to construct affordable senior housing on this site but has some reservations about the design and potential traffic impacts ofthe proposed building. Having recently completed a Housing Production Plan which underscored the need for more diverse housing units in terms ofunit size, tenure, and cost, the Plan specifically identified both Tilden Village and the Town Center as a target area for affordable housing. The Townled effort to allow further development at Tilden Village has been a partnership between the Board ofthe Selectmen, the Medfield Affordable Housing Trust, and the Medfield Housing Authority to develop and issue an RFP for this site, and then to select the most responsible proposer [Newgate LLC]. The applicant has worked with the Town to develop a development program to create additional senior housing. The building, which has not yet undergone local permitting, has generated concem from neighboring residents and within the Town government. Although the applicant states that much ofthe design issues could be worked out during the Zoning Board ofAppeals ("ZBA") process, the Town would prefer the applicant to revise their design program prior to appearing before the ZBA as incomplete applications could potentially undermine concerted efforts on the Town's part to make the plan review process as transparent as possible. The applicant's permitting strategy to wait until after the commencement ofa hearing at the ZBA could damage newly formed public trust and lead to confusion and the spread ofmisinformation, which could be detrimental to an already sensitive proposal for much needed housing and add considerable time and acrimony to the process. Due to these factors, the Board of Selectmen may opt not to support this project unless the applicant changes approach and becomes more responsive to community concems regarding design and traffic impacts, and consequently, they may recommend that the Zoning Board ofAppeals deny this project, as is their right due to the Town's position in Safe Harbor. In addition to the Town's efforts to improve public perception regarding affordable housing, the Town has made significant strides to increase the actual production of affordable housing opportunities within the Town. Since the completion ofthe Housing Production Plan, the Town has authorized the fonnation ofan Affordable Housing Trust ("Trust"), passed a $lm bond to capitalize the Trust, and adopted an aggressive Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw at Annual Town Meeting in 2017. The Town has been involved in further planning efforts including the Trust's completion ofa Five-Year Action Plan and Strategy and a Master Plan for the State Hospital site, which features provisions for affordable housing opportunities. Since the adoption ofthe Housing Production Plan, the Town has met their targets to reach Safe Harbor by approving the following developments: Cushman House at 67 North Street (rental, 8 units, 2 affordable), 71 North Street (rental, 8 apartments, 2 affordable), Chapel Hill Landing (ownership, 49 units, 13 affordable), Hillside Village (rental, 16 apartments, 4 affordable), and is currently reviewing Medfield Green at 41 Dale Street (mixed tenure, 36 units, 27 SHI eligible units). The Medfield Planning Board took the opportunity to comment on the proposal early in concept at their August 28, 2017 meeting and again at their September 17, 2018 meeting. The Planning Board is concemed about the design ofthe building; in particular with respect to the roofline and the massing. Although the school complex is a large institutional building, Tilden Village consists ofmodest two-story structures and the surrounding neighborhood contains single family homes. The Planning Board is concemed that the proposed building is not in keeping with the architectural vemacular ofthe area and would like to see more effort to appropriately mass the building so as to minimize impacts on neighboring properties. Medfield's local design standards discourage long unbroken facades, and they should be avoided and broken up with recesses and projections, changes in materials, and complimentary landscaping; although these standards are not applicable to a development pursuant to Chapter 40B, they do offer insight as to what the Town might consider appropriate design. The Planning Board also requested a traffic report and recommended the Zoning Board ofAppeals consider obtaining technical assistance for the design review ofthe proposed building. A site visit with DHCD was conducted on November 6, 2018. During the site visit, the following issues were discussed: • Identification ofproject in Housing Production Plan • Services and amenities offered and available in the community near the project site • Amount ofaffordable family housing available in Medfield • Level of support from the Town and residents • Comments related to the school, such as retention ofan existing path • Minimum age restriction (55 versus 62) • Bedroom counts; necessity for two-bedroom units • Height, bulk, massing and architectural context • Lockbox gate in rear • Absence ofwetlands or natural heritage areas Following the site visit, Town Officials have submitted the following comments: TOWN ADMINISTRATOR The Town Administrator is not supportive ofthis proposal. The Town Administrator believes that the proposed neighborhood has faced a lot ofrecent development, including the 2005 renovation ofthe Middle and High Schools (originally constructed in 1961),a recent multifamily conversion resulting in the preservation ofthe historic Cushman House and resulting in 8 units including two affordable handicap accessible units, and a proposed adjacent multifamily project, also resulting in an increase of8 units including two affordable units for a total of 16 units within a halfmile radius ofthe project site. Further, Pound Street is currently used as a commuter cut through which would be impacted by this project. The Town Administrator would prefer to focus development at the former State Hospital Site. BOARD OF HEALTH Due to the project site's location within the Aquifer Protection Zone [which covers much ofthe Town], the applicant is requested to infiltrate, at a minimum, the first one-inch of run-offfrom the entire site, and that run offfrom impervious surfaces be treated to the highest regulatory standard prior to infiltration. The Board ofHealth believes this will help ensure that the Town can maintain a clean and adequate supply ofdrinking water to its citizens, including those who reside and/or work at this project site. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS Although the Department ofPublic Works (DPW) anticipates that all drainage, water, and sewer utilities will be shown on future plans as the project progresses, there are still some concems about other missing elements. The current plans do not address snow removal for the planned development. It is unclear ifthere will be snow storage areas dedicated for winter operations or ifthe snow be removed from the site. DPW notes that ifthe snow is planned to be removed from the site, accommodations for larger removal equipment such as, loaders, trailer dumps or large blowers should be considered. Parking vehicles within the right-of-way while snow removal in the development takes place should not be entertained as the town enforces parking bans throughout the winter months. In addition, the applicant shows a driving lane and two parking spaces located within a 20' wide drainage easement held by DPW. Further discussion between the applicant and DPW will be required regarding the easement. In addition, details for handicap accessibility should be shown for each ofthe sidewalk approaches to the main entrance driveway on Pound Street. Lastly, DPW notes that all permits should be obtained before any work has commenced for street opening, trenching, and water and sewer connections; and believes the applicant should satisfy concems related to increased traffic. COUNCIL ON AGING The Council on Aging is supportive ofthis proposal but has some concems about the appearance ofthe building, as well as the size and height. MEDFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS The Medfield School Department is concemed by how close the building and parking is to adjacent Middle and High School complex. Many students at both the middle school and high school walk to school, and use an existing path that runs through the site to access the school. Maintaining the safe pedestrian access through the site for students should be a priority. There is also concem that the current road on the school side will be used as an emergency egress into the property. The school property has consistent traffic from 7am -llpm from Sunday-Saturday for the period of September - June, and could be impacted by this project. Finally, the School Department notes that part ofthe Housing Authority property is currently in use as a playground for the School's daycare. MEDFIELD POLICE DEPARTMENT The Medfield Police Department is supportive ofthis proposal, but would like to see more details related to site illumination and traffic impacts. MEDFIELD FIRE DEPARTMENT The Medfield Fire Department would prefer the applicant use a lockbox at the gate for emergency egress in lieu ofOpticon, a barcode scanning system. RESIDENT COMMENTS In addition to those comments by Town Officials, a number ofneighbors and residents have also submitted comments on the proposed project. Most comments related to concems related to the Aquifer Protection District, the appropriateness ofthe building, the design ofthe building, and traffic impacts; however, not all letters spoke in opposition and several residents did issue letters ofsupport. GENERAL COMMENTS Finally, the Town has reviewed the development budget and operating pro forma for the proposed project. The Town recognizes that there are real challenges with respect to finding income eligible tenants who can afford LIHTC rents without a rental subsidy but notes that the proposal calls for 8 apartments to be "Low Income, Rental Assisted" units. The Town would like to better understand the anticipated source, amount, and duration of this partial rental subsidy as part ofits assessment ofproject viability. While it is premature to expect the development team to stipulate a recapitalization plan for the end ofthe tax credit period at this very early point in the process, the Town seeks reasonable assurances regarding the long-term feasibility ofthe development including potentially following a transfer ofcontrol to the Housing Authority or another party ifthe original partnership is dissolved after the initial LIHTC compliance period ends after 15 years. Understanding the availability and likelihood ofrental assistance for some ofthe project's units, both during and after the LIHTC compliance period, is important in this respect. The Town also notes that the fair market rents for 2019 have been issued and should be used in Newgate LLC's pro forma calculations. Due to long-term funding challenges, the Town also recognizes that the affordable units in this development are smaller than those required by DHCD but believes this will assist with future affordability. As the project consists ofthree fully handicap accessible units and two hearing impaired accessible units, and the building is served by an elevator, the Town is satisfied that the units will provide significant housing opportunities for lower income senior households. Although DHCD has advised against the inclusion oftwo-bedroom units, the Town would like to see the two-bedroom units to remain so as to allow for the occupancy of an authorized home care worker and believes such units would provide a significant benefit to the Town. In consideration ofthe above comments, and those enclosed, it is our expectation that you will agree that the Rosebay at Medfield is eligible for funding by DHCD so they may proceed with applying for LIHTC credits. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions that you may have. ^ [ichaerMardiicci, Chairman Medfield Board of Selectmen](https://medfield02052.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/20181203-sr-rosebay-medfield-municipal-comment-letter-12-03-18_page_1.jpg?w=500)
