Selectman Paints Grim Scenario Stemming From Alleged Development

WILMINGTON, MA -- Selectman Michael McCoy is warning that a developer is trying to backdoor a warrant through town meeting that will clear the way for a 760-unit condominium complex on a 76=-acre parcel off of Andover Street. Michael Welsh, the article's backer, wants to change the zoning on the parcel from residential to mixed-use neighborhood under Wilmington's zoning bylaws.

"I promise you, that's just the beginning," McCoy said in a letter sent to local news outlets Sunday night. "I believe this new zoning of neighborhood mix will eventually bankrupt this community by flooding massive amounts of students into our school system requiring us to build more schools, and with more people increase the need for more town services."

Welch, who owns the Wilmington-based general contracting firm Quality Additions & Remodeling, could not be reached for comment on Monday morning. Last year town meeting approved a zoning change that would allow Welch to build 50 housing units for people over the age of 55. Construction has not started on those units.

McCoy did not elaborate on how he knew the specifics of the developer's intentions or plans that prompted him to file the warrant article for this year's town meeting. Nor did he offer an explanation backing his claim that the development would raise residents' property taxes.

While McCoy noted in his letter that he had backed smaller housing projects in the past, he has increasingly portrayed himself as the member of the five-member, elected board of selectmen who opposes the increase in housing in Wilmington in recent years. He has been the point person in opposing a controversial plan to build a drug treatment facility on Middlesex Avenue and in his letter he stressed "I am not anti development [sic], but I am for orderly development." In past public meetings, he has said he is worried that Wilmington is "starting to look like Chelsea or Everett" as a result of rapid development.

The article will be considered at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5. The planning board and finance committee will also hold a joint public hearing on the matter on March 20, McCoy said. The complete text of his letter is below:

After seeing the [Wilmington] Apple break the story of February 21, 2018 that the town needs to plan for a new fire substation and alluded to a large scale development in North Wilmington. What caught people's eyes after reading the story (What is this large scale development?), folks went onto Facebook and started to discuss what large scale development that is coming to Wilmington? Stay tuned and I'll tell you, but let me continue. There was plenty of chatter about Mr. Kneeland developing some of the property he owns where the Ballardvale Street Target is located. He also owns the little strip mall where Dunkin Donuts and Sweet Pizza is and where the new Mexican restaurant is coming, which, believe me, I can't wait for to open. I love burritos. Mr. Kneeland is now proposing a new mini mall that will support retail and restaurants, which I will support when constructed. We could use the tax revenue and it's in an industrial way where no homes abut. However I wish he would relocate the drug detox center that he proposes at 362 Middlesex Avenue to somewhere on Ballardvale Street where he owns a lot of property, which he has no intention on doing. Every single person on Facebook, respectfully, got it wrong. What large scale development is coming to North Wilmington? I'll tell you now. It is a 76 acre parcel that the petitioner (Michael Welsh) is seeking to rezone from R60 to neighborhood mix use. That zone was recently implemented a couple of years ago. Simply, if that article passes at our next annual town meeting of May 5, 2018, you are going to see 760 condos being built located off Andover Street. Last year, at the 2017 annual town meeting, Mr. Welsh presented an article off Main Street to build 50 2-bedroom condos, which I supported and town meeting approved it. A year earlier, the same zoning was implemented on Lowell Street, which I supported and town meeting ultimately approved it. The year before that, Steve Wright presented an article for an Over 55 housing development and I supported that and town meeting approved it. One of the biggest reasons why these articles passed is because residents want a little alternative housing trying to keep our children living here in the town and to have over 55 housing. That all being said, last year at the annual 2017 town meeting, I got up after making a statement that I would approve Mr. Welch's article on Main Street for the 50 condo units, and I stated that from that point on I would not support anymore zoning changes relative to the condos approved. I went on to say that I was not anti development, but I am for orderly development. Let's build what we've approved over the past couple of years. That way folks can get a snapshot of what these new condos will look like and more importantly, how much the local developers will charge by us granting this special zone "to keep our kids here in Wilmington". Obviously that went on deaf ears and now they're back again. Zero condos have been built since the new zoning of neighborhood mix was implemented. The old saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is the strategy that these developers are trying to pull on us. I'll give you the snapshot of what the developers don't want you to see. Go to Tewksbury in Mahoney's Garden Center and look across the street and quadruple it. I promise you, that's just the beginning. I believe this new zoning of neighborhood mix will eventually bankrupt this community by flooding massive amounts of students into our school system requiring us to build more schools, and with more people increase the need for more town services.

The annual town meetings article numbers have not yet been assigned. This property for the proposed large scale development is located off of Andover Street, the old Scirappa Farm, near Fiorenza Drive, Myway Circle, Ashwood Avenue, Blueberry Lane, Dogwood Lane, Cottonwood Circle. In close proximity to this property is Camp 40 acres. The public hearing will be March 20, 2018 at the town hall. It's a joint meeting between the planning board and finance committee, and the public is welcome to come and speak favorably or unfavorably. Folks, we need to stop this boom of overdevelopment in our town before we can't recognize it anymore and your taxes go through the roof.

Sincerely,

Michael V. McCoy
Wilmington Selectman

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