Planning Board, Symes Discuss Affordable Housing for Muller Road Project

The Burlington Planning Board met last night to discuss the application for a special permit for a proposed residential development on Muller Road with developer Symes Associates.

The main issue up for discussion was the number of total units at the location and the number of affordable housing units the developers are willing to commit to with the project.

Currently, the plan put forward by Symes Associations includes 33 total single-family units (see plan at right). Nineteen of the units are allowed "by right," meaning the developer doesn't need a special permit to build them. The other 14 proposed units, however, need special approval by the Planning Board.

Board Chairman Paul Roth explained that the board's concern was ensuring there were enough affordable housing units available to keep the town in compliance with the Massachusetts Affordable Housing law "Comprehensive Permit Act: 40B." That law states that towns must have 10 percent affordable housing, defined as a unit which could be purchased or rented by a household making up to 80% of the median income of the area, in order to have the protection of being able to deny proposed affordable housing projects. If Burlington falls below 10 percent affordable housing, developers would be able to build large residential projects with minimal town oversight.

At the meeting, Jeffrey Rhuda of Symes Associates explained that the plan includes one affordable housing unit on site and a commitment to purchase a second unit off site. Rhuda explained that because the proposed Muller Road development will be first-floor master bedrooms and will be advertised mostly to older couples, many of whom are less likely to qualify for affordable housing. 

"A family needs to have a net worth under $150,000 to qualify for affordable housing, so if they have more they won't get the mortgage and these units are mostly for older people, and most of them have more savings than that," he said. "Affordable housing is normally for younger people and this is not a young market."

Members of the Planning Board, cognizant that Burlington currently has just over 10 percent affordable housing, said they would like to see three affordable housing units rather than two. Roth said he would be agreeable to allowing the units be off site as a compromise.

"I’m in the camp of people looking for three affordable units, but I might be willing to go with maybe two off site," he said. "Maybe even all three off site."

No vote was taken last night and the proposal was continued to the March 1 meeting.

Additional details:

Attorney Mark Vaugh, representing Symes Associates, explained that with the additional affordable housing the project would no longer include a bike path that was part of a previous version of the proposal. He said that the traffic easing plan, radar speed control signs, and a walking path would be still be included in the project.

There were also some concerns raised by abutters. One resident said that the traffic in the area, mostly because Wheeler Road connects with Middlesex Turnpike, is already bad and more residents would just add to the problem.

Another abutter expressed concerns that people on the walking path, if it is not well defined or contained by a fence, may wander onto the private property of neighboring residents and be a liability, especially considering much of the area is a wetland. He said he was concerned someone could get hurt on his property and seek legal action against him.

Planning Board member Ernest Covino, Jr., pointed out that even though some people were advocating for fewer units, by having more units targeted at older buyers would save the town money in the long run. He said that if there were only 19 units, allowed "by right," there is a greater chance the units would be more appealing to younger families who would likely have children that the schools would have to educate. Having more older residents would have less of an impact that younger families.

Finally, the most outspoken critic of the plan on the board was Paul Raymond, who said he was not convinced the proposal was the in the best interest of the neighborhood. He said he would like to see fewer units to reduce the footprint of the project.

"In my Mick Jagger philosophy I'd just like to say 'You don't always get what you want," Raymond said.

What are your thoughts on this project? Let us know in the comments section below.