CanalSide Commons – Workshop

September 19, 2006

6:00 P.M.

 

Town Planner Coreen Moore reviewed the CanalSide Commons Fiscal Impacts Report and the Layout and Zoning Exhibit. There is no official filing for no residential at this time. We have received a Site Approval letter from the Mass Housing that limits the housing for no more than 300 units.

 

Out of 152.2 acres, 93.1 acres is protected open space by a Conservation Restriction and can never be developed. The front piece is a 2-acre parcel, which can never be developed because it’s mitigated for traffic. The 2 parcels in the front known as the Simpson parcel where taken out of the project. Property at the southwest corner is state owned land.

 

The plan shows 300 single-family townhouses out of which 225 units are considered cluster housing–market and 75 cluster housing–affordable units.

 

Affordable housing spreadsheet is a breakdown by name of development, location, owner/keeper, subsidized agency, number of 40B units and housing type.

 

Selectman Harrington asked if we have an Impact Mitigation Study? Ms. Moore said no but we have a Mitigation Bylaw that was adopted and approved at the Annual Town Meeting in 2005.

 

Administrator Guerino said on several occasions since Bylaw was passed, it was discussed that we move forward to implement the By-Law, which hasn’t been done. It needs to be implemented. There are various studies that need to be done but we don’t necessarily have the expertise or staff to get this done. The Cape Cod Commission can help us in areas to get this done. We need to go through the Mitigation Bylaw and see what needs to be done and potential costs.

 

Selectman Conron asked if we had a tool, could we use that tool to evaluate what the impact would the on the Town? Ms. Moore said absolutely.

 

There was discussion between the types of houses constructed in Brookside compared to the townhouses that are being proposed by CanalSide Commons. Ms. Moore said it would be helpful to the Board to have a Cost Analysis that is strictly for this project and what the fiscal impact would be. The state says the town has to have 10% of affordable housing and currently the town is at 6.7%. There will be affordable throughout the town and it will impact the town.

 

According to the Housing Plan we have to produce 55 affordable units per year to stay in line with our plan production. In the past year, the town hasn’t produced any affordable units. We are in the process of trying to produce one unit, which has taken almost 2 years.

 

Goal of the Housing Partnership Committee is to spread affordable units throughout all over town and not to concentrate in any certain area.

 

Administrator Guerino said it was looked into a municipal partnership with various contractors so we don’t end up with developments in sections. It will allow mixed incomes within the existing neighborhoods.

 

Dave Fulton of GLC Development Resources works for municipalities and private developers. They also run Fiscal Impact Studies on projects.

 

On behalf of Mr. Cubellis, Mr. Fulton clarified and reviewed the Cape Cod Commission retail status and what was approved and what Mass Housing has approved.

 

Cape Cod Commission approved 85,000 square foot of retail, which 78,500 square feet is retail in 8 buildings and 6,500 square feet will consist of a restaurant. Retail space is similar in size as a Super Stop N’ Shop but broken up into 8 buildings.

 

Mass Housing resubmitted a Site Eligibility application for 40B units December 31, 2005 and received approval on August 10, 2006. Normally it takes a couple of months, but in this case it took 8 months to for them to review and approve.

 

Market Study was done last year indicating that this area targets 1 & 2 bedroom condominiums. There will be no 3 bedrooms units. There will be 88 units in the rear of the site that are targeted towards seniors around the ages of 70 to 80 years old.

 

Mr. Cubellis would like to put 150 apartments over the retail space but would require approval from the Cape Cod Commission. Maximum development would be 450 units. Mr. Fulton explained that Mr. Cubellis never wanted to take the 40B route.

 

There was discussion on the number of trips per day and the number of trips on weekends and how the figures came to be.

 

Selectman Harrington made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Conron moved that the Town of Bourne analyze the impact of future likely development on the town’s fiscal well-being and to successfully implement its Mitigation Bylaw to the maximum benefit of the town. The Board of Selectmen expects the Town of Bourne to have such capability as soon as possible. UNANIMOUS VOTE

 

Administrator Guerino suggested putting a Request for Proposal (RFP) together, discuss and receive input from the Appeals Board to scope out what we want in the RFP. 

 

Board of Appeals member Dick Conron suggested that the Board speak with John Whitten who is the Appeals Board Attorney and Consultant for all 40B projects.

 

Mr. Fulton said he has been contacted by the Police & Fire Chiefs who would like some land at CanalSide for their stations.  They’re amendable to discussions regarding construction of municipal buildings at this location.

 

Suggest that a CanalSide Civic Advisory Committee be formed. Make-up of the committee to consist of Board of Selectmen (1 or 2 members), 1 member from each of the following: Zoning Board, Housing Partnership, Planning Board, Comprehensive Planning Group, Bourne Economic Development, Open Space, Council on Aging, Finance Committee.

 

Selectman Mealy suggested that we have discussions with residents of Bourne to see what they want to happen in the town. Need to address the impact of the project and traffic at the Bourne rotary. We need to ask the state for help to address this issue and also with the traffic analysis.

 

Chairman Zuern thanked Mr. Fulton for attending the meeting

 

Meeting recessed at 7:10 P.M.