By Dot Bergin
Are you interested in fair and affordable housing for Bedford?
If so, there is now an opening on the Bedford Housing Partnership (BHP) as the result of the recent resignation of Chair Kris Washington, which was announced at the January 31 meeting. To apply for the open slot, you may contact Bedford’s Volunteer Coordinating Committee.
The Village at Bedford Woods
BHP Vice-Chair Christina Wilgren conducted the January 31 meeting, at which the BHP discussed, revised, and ultimately passed by majority vote a memorandum from the BHP to the Zoning Board of Appeals on the proposed further development of the Village at Bedford Woods at 1000 Albion Road.
As Assistant Town Manager Mike Rosen noted, the status of this proposed development is currently “in a holding pattern” following a vote by the ZBA at their December 13 meeting that the application to increase the number of buildings “is a substantial modification to the existing Comprehensive Permit” issued in 2004. In a second vote, the ZBA denied the developer’s request for a modification to the Comprehensive Permit. Both motions passed by majority vote. A scheduled public hearing was canceled.
As Rosen pointed out, the current ZBA has never had to deal with a “40B” application as none has come before the board in 10 years. The BHP Memorandum suggests that the Village at Bedford Woods “presents an opportunity to add affordable housing inventory through the completion of a previously planned development.”
In two earlier meetings – August 8 and December 6, 2018 — developer Sid Gehlot came before the BHP and presented plans for building out the project, originally planned to be three buildings. Only one building was ever completed. Gehlot’s Treetop Group, Woburn, acquired the property and proposes to finish the project, with 10 of the new units to be affordable.
To read previous articles which provide background on this issue, see:
- https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2018/12/short-takes-from-the-bedford-housing-partnership/
- https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2018/08/housing-partnership-hears-proposal-for-new-buildings-at-bedford-woods/
Watch The Bedford Citizen calendar for notice of the February ZBA meeting.
In Other Business
Liz Rust, of the Regional Housing Services Office, said the lottery for affordable units at the Pine Hill Crossing development opens next week and the drawing will be held in April. Details will be published on the Town website. Click this link to view vacancies in affordable Bedford’s affordable housing stock.
Rust also told the group that the Bedford Housing Authority will rebuild six sets of basement stairs at Elm Street.
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