MassHousing receives application for 40B development in Wilmington
:::An earlier mailing circulated with a broken link:::
Dear Wilmington Residents,
An application was submitted to MassHousing on January 28, 2022 for Site Eligibility Approval under Massachusetts General Law (MGL) Chapter 40B for 132 units of mixed income rental housing at 100 West Street. This is the first step in the process of permitting a so called 40B Affordable Housing Development. The materials submitted can be accessed with this link. The Applicant has been asked to present their project to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on February 14, 2022. This presentation in front of the Board of Selectmen is for informational purposes only. The Board of Selectmen does not have the authority to exercise a vote on the project. The Board is not vested with the statutory authority to approve or deny this application for a 40B residential development. Residents are invited to offer comment at the Selectmen’s February 14th meeting. However, only comments offered during the Board of Appeals public hearing will be “on the record” and part of the formal record.
The Town will provide initial comments on the proposal at 100 West Street to MassHousing by March 2, 2022. Following the issuance of a Project Eligibility Letter from MassHousing, the Applicant, 100 West Street LLC, will be eligible to file an application for the project with the Wilmington Board of Appeals for a Comprehensive Permit under MGL Chapter 40B.
Because the Princeton 40B Development at the corner of Middlesex Avenue and Jefferson Road has been stalled due to an appeal of the Conservation permit by a group of residents, the Town has fallen below the 10% affordable housing threshold set by the State. This allows applicants to apply to the Board of Appeals for a Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 40B.
The Board of Appeals Comprehensive Permit process takes the place of all other local approvals (Board of Health, Planning Board, Water & Sewer Commission, etc.) except that a permit from the Conservation Commission will also be required. The Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing for the project during the Comprehensive Permit process and residents are encouraged to participate. This public hearing may take place over several meetings of the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals meets the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Please head to their page for details on future meetings: https://www.wilmingtonma.gov/board-appeals
