Myths vs Fact #3 of housing project at Sowams Nursery

This is third in a series of articles regarding the proposed construction of a corporate owned $14.5million, multi-unit, rental apartment complex at the Sowams Nursery on Sowams Road. While this project has been discussed since early last year, there still exist many assumptions and myths about the nature of the project and the LMIH goals used as justification.

We are setting the record straight.

Myth

The proposed EBCDC plan can easily absorb increased traffic, so traffic isn’t really an issue.

• Fact:  Our own Municipal law doesn't agree. Barrington Ordinance Section 185-27 allowing mergers of substandard lots, provides:
  • The town of Barrington is primarily a residential community with approximately 85% of the land area either already developed, or unable to be developed due to physical or legal constraints.  The residential dwelling and traffic patterns, which were originally created for a less dense population, are already excessive in many areas of the Town, and the need for preserving the open space that is yet available is evident.  In keeping the land use goals contained in the Comprehensive Plan, including that to preserve the essential character of the community, and to ensure that future development is compatible with adjoining land uses, the natural environment, community services and existing historic and cultural features, the merger provisions of Section 185-26 hereof shall apply to all areas within the Town of Barrington.
• It is evident to anyone who has ever driven on New Meadow and Sowams Roads, particularly during the two daily rush hours, that intensive congestion is standard, particularly at the intersections with  County Road. Sadly traffic lights would only contribute to the congestion and do little for those choosing to cross County Road on several crosswalks.  And there are additional  existing  and potential problems:
  • The inevitable gridlock that will occur as a result of construction of a new bridge at Massasoit Avenue.  (We have all learned quite a bit about bridge building in Barrington)
  • Massive development at the recently acquired 14 acre, 535,000 square foot  former American Tourister property on the East side of the Palmer River Bridge.
    • See the East Bay Report on March 11, 2013 that the buyer, The Brady Sullivan Development Company, “specializes in turning old mill buildings into apartments.”
  • The absence of sidewalks on almost all of Sowams Road which, essentially, forecloses walking by all residents, this:
    • Creates a danger for students going to and arriving from school (a present danger)
    • Inhibits use of the bike path at any time
    • Renders extremely dangerous the over 1/2 mile walk to the County Road bus stop from within the proposed complex (extremely dangerous in the winter after a snowfall, even with sidewalks) .
    • The incapacity of the bike path to serve any residents after snowfall

Check out even more Myths vs Facts on our website! 

Important Meeting! Come to the public town hearing on the East Bay Community Development Corporation’s Master Plan application for construction of a corporate owned $14.5million, multi-unit, rental apartment complex at the Sowams Nursery on Sowams Road.

For further information, join us at http://www.codder02806.com or email wweepers@gmail.com