Town of Dunstable, MA

On July 26th, 2004, the Board of Selectmen heard presentations on two different housing developments that are being proposed for construction under the comprehensive permit allowed by M.G.L. Chapter 40b Sections 20-23 that would include affordable housing. In order to meet the state's guidelines for adequately meeting community housing needs, each town is expected to have at least 10% of its housing units (based on Federal census data) be affordable for people who earn 80% of the median income for our area. As of April, 2001, Dunstable is expected to have 94 housing units that qualify as affordable housing. As long as we have less than 10% of our housing affordable, which is currently the case, developers can argue that their project is consistent with community needs and appeal to the state to override decisions made by our local Zoning Board of Appeals.

One developer, Mr. Edward Traywick of TENS, LLC, proposed to build a 150 unit development consisting of three bedroom houses on the 157 acre property currently owned by the Ferrari family on Mill Street - 38 of the units would count towards our affordable housing quota. This development is referred to as Tyler Estates.

The other developer, Frank Gorman, was seeking town sponsorship under the Local Initiative Program (LIP) for an apartment complex of approximately 30 one and two bedroom apartments to be constructed on the 4 acre property on Pleasant Street that is currently owned by Salmon Brook Realty Trust, which is owned by the Nelson family. Although only 25% of these units would be rented as affordable housing, the law allows all 30 units to be counted towards our affordable housing quota. This development is referred to as Salmon Brook Commons.

Milestones:

• On August 5th, 2004, based on input from an ad hoc working committee with representation from various town boards, the seniors, and the neighborhoods that would be impacted by these developments, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the Salmon Brook Commons project in accordance with the Local Initiative Program. The builder, Gorman Management, will be working with the town to move forward on developing plans for the development.
• The Selectmen submitted a letter of support for the Salmon Brook Commons project to the State. Other Boards have submitted comments to the Selectmen on the proposal. Copies of the proposal are available at Town Hall.
• On December 20, Selectman Psaledakis and Selectman Ted Gaudette signed the comments on the Salmon Brook Commons Local Initiative Project (LIP) that were submitted to the state. (Click heree to view the document in PDF format.)
• Gorman Management submitted their application for a comprehensive permit to the Dunstable Zoning Board of Appeals on February 25, 2005.
• During May, June, and July, the ZBA conducted the Comprehensive Permit Hearing for Salmon Brook Commons on a number of dates. They received input from residents and on a number issues, such as environmental impact, septic and storm water management, public safety, traffic, affordable housing management, architectural design, abutters concerns, and project finances.
• The ZBA closed the hearing on Salmon Brook Commons on July 14, 2005.
• After two extensions allowing time for conditions to be negotiated, the Dunstable Zoning Board of Appeals rendered a decision to grant a Comprehensive Permit with conditions, which was filed with the Town Clerk on September 29, 2005. The decision was not appealed. ((Decision and addendum - DOC format.)
• On January 26, 2006, the Department of Housing and Community Development certified that the Town of Dunstable is in compliance with it's approved Planned Production Plan based on the units approved in this project.