Hopkinton Planning Board Hears Over-55 Plan

The Hopkinton Planning Board started its June 20 meeting with a moment of silence for Chuck Zettek, who Planning Board Chairman Ken Weismantel described as "the father of Hopkinton zoning."

Zettek, husband of Anne Zettek and father of five children including former Selectman Matt Zettek,  died Friday, June 17, at 89. Chuck Zettek was a decorated World War II veteran and also spent many years on Hopkinton's Conservation Commission.

149 Hayden Rowe Development

The Capital Group proposed a 16-unit, over-55 development on three acres at 149 Hayden Rowe St. The minimum size for such a special-permit projects is 10 acres.

Representing Capital Group, attorney Angelo Catanzaro and Project Manager Martin Loiselle Jr. said they wanted to know, before they sought zoning exceptions, whether the Planning Board would consider such a project.

The project would replace a single-family home. The developers said the property around the project is undeveloped farmland with several unused greenhouses. Units would start in the low-$300,000 range they said.

Land Use Department Director Elaine Lazarus said that by making at least one of the units conform to affordable-housing regulations, there were ways the project could proceed.

Planning Board member Claire Wright said the house on the lot was at least 140 years old, and though painted pink, was an example of a 19th Century, gable-end Greek Revival farmhouse that she would like to see - in improved condition - preserved, perhaps as part of the development.

Chairman Wesimantel said the over-55 element appealed to him, as it would not add students to Hopkinton schools. Residences do not pay taxes equal to the town services they consume, particularly for the schools.

He, member John Coutinho and member Carol DeVeuve also discussed the impact of 16 units on the neighbors.

A color presentation by the developers to the board showed a large amount of screening and landscaping to separate the development from its neighbors, but the screening was mostly on the neighbors' property.

Catanzaro also underlined that the over-55 nature of the units would add tax revenue to Hopkinton without burdening services. 

Weismantel suggested a smaller number of units. "I am more concerned with the streetscape," he said. "The view from the front doesn't wow me at all."

"This is a very dense development," DeVeuve added.

"Everything's on the table," Catanzaro said. "We're here to listen."