Pine Hill Overlay District Approved

By Lauren Ennis

On the first night of Town Meeting, March 26, 2018, one of the most discussed issues was Article 6, for the “adoption of a new bylaw for a Pine Hill Overlay District”. The proposed overlay would utilize a former Coast Guard housing site located at Pine Hill Road for the construction of cottage-style housing with a unit density of six units per acre on the 5.2-acre plot. A similar article had been turned down at the Special Town  Meeting last November amid citizen concerns that the project didn’t sufficiently reflect the goals from the community charrette.

Hallways and doorways in all new builds will be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and will have sufficient infrastructure in their bathrooms to support grab bars as needed, making them ideal for senior citizens and those with disabilities. Two units had been previously designated as affordable housing. Both the Planning Board and Finance Committee expressed their support for the project and emphasized the ways in which it would encourage economic diversity in Bedford. Several residents spoke in favor of the project, commending the town’s efforts to provide necessary senior housing and praising the community atmosphere that the development would foster.

Some residents raised concerns, however, regarding traffic and parking availability, but the Planning Board assured residents that traffic and parking concerns had already been taken into account. Voters also questioned the possible effects of bringing additional students into the Bedford School District.

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Article 6 was ultimately passed with a 2/3 vote, as was  Article 7, which amended the Zoning Map in accordance with the changes made in Article 6. The Town Meeting has been continued to Monday, April 2, 2018, at 7:30 pm at the Bedford High School Auditorium. For more information please visit the town’s website at https://www.bedfordma.gov/town-meeting/pages/town-meetings.

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