Upcoming Meetings on Controversial Mill St. Development

WOBURN, MA—The proposed 113-unit housing development on Mill St. has drawn serious concerns from both East Woburn residents and city officials.

Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen told Patch that approximately 50-60 people were in attendance at the first meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. In addition, over 15 residents sent letters to the ZBA regarding the project.

"The addition of a housing project like this to the Mill Street/Washington Street area would be devastating both in traffic impacts and property values," Mercer-Bruen wrote in a letter-to-the-editor to Patch."Please join me and express your opposition to the Board of Appeals on April 27th during the public hearing process."

The proposal from the Mill St. Property Group includes 29 rental units which will be marketed to residents who make 80 percent or less of the region's median income, according to a report from the Daily Times Chronicle. Therefore, the proposal may be able to circumvent local zoning laws under the state's 40B affordable housing regulations.

According to the website entitled Help Save Mill St., constructed by a Mill St. Neighbor, residents are concerned about the diminishing land values as well as increased traffic and lower quality of life that could be bestowed on to residents of the area.

While the April 27th meeting has passed, Residents who want to hear about the project or contribute their thoughts either in favor or opposed, The Woburn Conservation Commission will be holding a public hearing regarding the Mill St. Property Group on May 12. The next public hearing concerning traffic around the development will be held on May 25.

Theodore Regnante, the attorney for the Mill St. Property Group, was not available for comment at the time of publication.

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