40B Housing Project Proposed on Greendale Avenue

Selectmen got the first look Tuesday evening at a possible new 40B residential development on Greendale Avenue.

Called "Greendale Village," the project proposal consists of 10 housing units located on 1.53 acres of land at 894 Greendale Ave. Two of the units have been proposed as affordable units and would be marketed to households that earn up to 50 percent of the area median income, with the remaining eight units to be sold at the full market price.

The project, submitted by developer Robert Engler of SEB LLC, is set to be reviewed soon by the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency. MassHousing has asked Needham selectmen to look over the plans and comment on the project by June 15, before the agency completes its review.

If it moves forward, the project would ultimately go before the Needham Zoning Board of Appeals for in-depth review, public hearing and approval or denial, as required under the state's Chapter 40B law.

Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick recommended that selectmen require 25 percent of the homes (three units) to be marketed as affordable, rather than the proposed 20 percent (two units). Selectmen agreed with her recommendation and voted to send a letter addressing that concern to MassHousing.

The three units would help Needham get closer to the statewide goal of reaching 10 percent affordable housing stock in each community.

Selectmen also said they felt the developer should begin meeting with neighbors as soon as possible to hear their questions and concerns about the project.

"The project, if it’s going to move forward, will move forward a little more smoothly if everybody understands it," Selectman Jerry Wasserman said.

Selectman John Bulian said he felt comfortable with the project's density—10 units to 1.53 acres—which meets state and town standards. However, he also felt the board should see more details on the project before commenting fully on it.

Selectman Matt Borrelli said he wanted to ensure that the landscaping plan fits with the area and maintains the natural buffer between existing residents and the I-95/I-93 highway. Among the site's neighbors is , an assisted living community.

Selectman Dan Matthews suggested that the developer might want to expand the project to include 12 units if he was required to make three rather than two affordable, in an effort to make a profit.

The board considered whether to allow for 12 units in their letter to MassHousing but decided to remain silent on that issue for now, allowing the developer to either propose or not propose increasing the total number of units.

"I think it's important not to start out at a higher number," Selectman Moe Handel said. "I'm in favor of increasing the ratio [of market-rate units to affordable units]. I'm not in favor of putting any more than 10 on the table."

Though the discussion was not a public hearing, selectmen gave the few residents who showed up to hear about the project the opportunity to speak.

Greendale Avenue resident Lois Sockol said she just wanted to thank the board for respecting the natural condition of the land in that area, for encouraging the developer to meet early with neighbors and for not supporting an increase in total units.

"Thank you for the wisdom you've shown," she said. "I do very much appreciate you taking a stand on those three things."

Another resident, who said she was a direct abutter to the 894 Greendale Ave. property, said the developer had met with her and seemed willing to work with neighbors.

Here is a look at some other details of the Greendale Village project, as provided by the developer in a letter included in the selectmen's agenda packet:

• The market-rate units will be about 2,100-2,250 square feet in area, with three bedrooms, and will feature primarily first-floor master bedrooms.

• The affordable units will be about 1,650 sq. ft. and will all be three-bedroom units unless otherwise requested by the Needham ZBA. They will be larger and will feature one more bathroom than the affordable units at Craftsman Village, which is located on High Street in Needham.

• All units will have two-vehicle garages, and each unit will be able to accomodate four vehicles on the property.

• The developer is "aspiring to create a little 'village' that has an old-school New England feel to it."

• There will be a homeowners' association to address issues such as snow removal, landscaping and trash removal.

SEB LLC has considerable experience with the 40B process, according to the developer's letter, having permitted more than 10,000 units of housing under the state's Chapter 40B, including Charles River Landing in Needham.