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 for Tyler Estates development:

• June 26, 2004 - 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. Mr. Traywick did not show interest in doing a Local Initiative Project at that time. He later approached the town with a LIP proposal, which the town could not support due to the fact that the number of units being proposed would very likely increase the population of the town by 16%, among other reasons.
• December 17, 2004 - Mr. Traywick indicated that he would not be seeking LIP endorsement. Instead, he submitted an application for subsidy from MassHousing for a project consisting of 150 detached single family condo units with 3 bedrooms and 1-1/2 baths each. Market units will be priced at $375,000 and 38 affordable units will be priced at $174,000. Click here to view a copy of the project proposal.
• On February 24, the Board of Selectmen submitted comments on Tyler Estates that had been consolidated based on input from various town boards and committees to MassHousing. Click here to view the comments.
• Mass Housing responded to Mr. Traywick, indicating that they "have serious concerns about approving 150 units in such a small town. We feel the site is suitable for residential use, but would like to see significantly fewer (i.e., about half as many) units built."
• On June 29, 2005, Mr. Traywick sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen saying that he could not achieve the profit he needs building anything less than 90 two bedroom condominiums and acknowledging that he would need the town's endorsement to pursue development of the Ferrari property as a 40B. His alternative would be to immediately construct 5 houses under the town's subdivision regulations and pursue a second access to the property, which would allow him to further develop the property as a subdivision.
• On August 8, 2005, the Selectmen sent a response to Traywick's June 29 letter, saying that the town is "unable to endorse the project at this time."
• In September, 2005, Mr. Traywick informed the town that he had withdrawn his 40B application.