Short Takes from the Housing Partnership ~ May 2021

The Bedford Housing Partnership welcomed new members Margaret Siciliano and Kate Reynolds at their May 3 meeting and thanked retiring member Jean Hammond for her years of service.

For the benefit of the new members, the meeting focused on a review of the proposed LIP “Friendly 40B” project at 330 South Road, a proposal that first came before the town in 2018.  Liz Rust, Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO) Director outlined the steps to be taken in the process. She emphasized that a Friendly 40B gives the town leverage in requesting some concessions – perhaps an improvement in traffic patterns, etc.-  and that there is still ample opportunity for public hearings and input from residents.  “It’s basically a negotiation with the developer,” she said.

To recap, at the March meeting of the Housing partnership, Developer Steve Soilis presented an updated proposal for repurposing this property, which is currently in commercial use with rental units. Soilis wishes to save and renovate two existing buildings, as requested by the Historic Preservation Commission, and replace the third building with new construction. In total, there will be 24 units, ranging in size from 400 sq. ft studios to 1400 sq. ft., 3 bedroom units. In accordance with 40B, six units will be affordable. The Partnership had questions about rents, utility charges, and locations and sizes of affordable units.  Traffic at the intersection of South Road and Summer Street has been of concern to all boards since this project first came up.  Members agreed that more information was needed before the Partnership could “sign off” on this project and pass their recommendation along to the Select Board.

At the May 3 meeting members set a tentative date of May 24 for an appearance by attorney Pamela Brown, representing the developer, to present the project in more detail and to answer questions from the Partnership.

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Note: Since the inception of the 330 South Road project in August 2018,  The Citizen has posted a number of articles. Beginning with the most recent, they are:

September, 2020: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2020/09/330-south-road-project-wins-nod-from-planning-board/

January, 2020: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2020/01/planning-board-hears-public-concerns-over-proposed-330-south-road-housing-proposal/

January, 2020: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2020/01/residents-raise-concerns-about-proposed-330-south-road-housing-project/

December, 2019: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2019/12/new-life-for-an-older-property-housing-partnership-reviews-plans-for-330-south-road/

August, 2018: https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2018/08/planning-board-hears-new-residential-proposal/

Bedford Housing Study

Before the meeting concluded, Chair Christina Wilgren urged members to review carefully the  “Bedford Housing Study,” issued by the town in 2019, which will be the basis for a joint meeting of the Housing Partnership and the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust on June 28.

Wilgren noted the Study proposes both regulatory strategies to help the town meet its affordable housing goals and local initiative strategies which the town could undertake.  Here are a few of the suggestions:

  • Explore the creation of a local first-time homebuyer program
  • Identify existing houses with potential for conversion to congregate housing
  • Connect senior homeowners to existing programs and create a local program that assists with housing costs.
  • Possible creation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—ADUs are included on the warrant for the upcoming Town Meeting on May 15

Affordable Housing Opportunities

Wilgren also reminded members of two affordable housing opportunities: one is a two-family home by Habitat for Humanity in Concord and the second is the availability of six affordable townhouse units in the Village of Bedford Woods (on the Middlesex turnpike.) This is a new construction lottery.

Applications are invited, beginning May 4, and will close on July 6. The application can be found here: https://sudbury.ma.us/housingtrust/2021/05/04/affordable-homeownership-o…

The lottery will be held on July 20, 2021.

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