By Jeffrey Epstein
Carleton-Willard Village on Old Billerica Road took another procedural step Monday night toward its latest planned expansion. Holland & Knight attorney Thomas Swain, representing the private senior-living village, told the Selectmen at their February 26 meeting that the updated plan is to add 12 new independent-living residences serving up to 24 residents. The new addition, to be called “Arlington Court,” first came before the board in November of last year, originally proposing 10 units. The new residences would be built at lots the village owns at 62 and 66 Old Billerica Road.
Carleton-Willard has grown considerably since it first opened in 1982, but the town has carefully negotiated agreements at every turn. The original concerns, Swain says, stemmed from fears that if things did not work out for the complex, the buildings might be sold to a condominium developer or a hotel chain. That led to an imposition of zoning restrictions. When the company wanted to add “Winthrop Terrace” in the 1990s, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a Special Permit that restricted future development and capped the population at 146 residents. The company would now like those restrictions quashed so that it can proceed with this new expansion. Now facing a new ZBA hearing on March 8 on the company’s requested regulatory amendments, Swain asked the Selectmen to endorse the idea to the ZBA. The board unanimously agreed to send such a letter.
While the actual population may ultimately be less, the new scheme — if approved as requested — would allow up to 441 total residents, and Carleton-Willard anticipates roughly half of them would be in independent living, said Swain. Construction could begin later this year.
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