Developer Greystar Will Build 196-Units In Shrewsbury

SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury has entered into an agreement with a national apartment developer over a 196-unit partially affordable building off of Route 20.

The 409 South St. development is a so-called "friendly" 40B project, which means that the town and the developer worked together on parameters for the project. Under the state 40b housing law, developers can bypass local approvals for projects that include affordable units in towns that have not met state affordable housing minimums — like Shrewsbury.

Of the 196 units, 49 will be set aside as affordable for people earning 80 percent or less of the area median income. The entire complex will be restricted to people over age 55.

The Shrewsbury Board of Selectmen signed off on an agreement for the project with developer Greystar at a June meeting. Greystar first proposed the development in November, and has since received state approvals for the project.

Under the development agreement, Greystar has agreed to cap the project at 196 units, and build 1-1/4 parking spots for every apartment unit. The developer will also pay for improvements at the Walnut Street sewage pumping station to offset the increase in use, Kristen Las told the Select Board. The town has also agreed to grant the developer a 50 percent discount on water and sewer connection fees for the affordable units.

Selectmen Vice Chair Beth Casavant said it's better for the town to work with the developer on the project than experience an "unfriendly" 40B arrangement. The town did not want to see housing built at 409 South St., Casavant said, but will get some control as part of the development agreement.

"It does give us some control and a seat at a table," she said.

The 15-acre parcel where the apartments will be built is mostly vacant agricultural land. Greystar operates apartment buildings in almost every U.S. state, including local buildings in Worcester, Marlborough and Framingham.