8 Townhomes Planned For Natick Site Along Rail Trail

NATICK, MA — A New Hampshire-based developer has submitted a proposal to build town homes backing up to the Cochituate Rail Trail north of Natick Center, according to Planning Board documents.

The Dover, NH-based company 23 Willow, LLC would demolish an industrial building located at 23 Willow St. to build eight town homes, according to plans. Two of the units would be set aside as affordable.

The Willow Street building is located in one of Natick's housing overlay option plan (HOOP) districts. In those districts, developers can build higher-density projects on smaller plots of land to create more affordable housing options. In the HOOP II District overlaying Willow Street, the town allows 12 units per acre.

The HOOP districts are also meant to create housing that's within walking distance to transit. If built, the Willow Street project would provide residents access to the yet-t0-be-complete section of the Cochituate Rail Trail that leads to the Natick Center MBTA station.

The 23 Willow St. townhouse project will be up for discussion at Wednesday's Natick Planning Board meeting.