TOWN OF SHARON
PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Board held on Wednesday, July 9, 2003, at 8:00 p.m., in the Town Offices.
PRESENT: JOEL TRAN, CHAIR
SAMUEL SOLOMON, VICE CHAIR
ELI HAUSER
PETER O’CAIN, ASST. TOWN ENG.
BUSINESS TRANSACTED:
I. Meeting called to order.
FORM A PLANS
None.
SIGN REVIEW
None.
II. AVALON BAY
Mr. Scott Dell and Ms. Liz Smith were in to represent the applicant. The property in question was located at Norwood Street and Edge Hill Road.
Ms. Smith first gave an overview of what the company was about. Avalon Bay was basically in the real estate business of acquiring, developing and managing real estate. They are a real estate investment firm. They operate primarily on the east and west coasts. They have some assets in Chicago. There are currently 43,000 apartments in their portfolio with 13 communities in Massachusetts, with sizes ranging from 120 to 387 apartments. They deal with property rentals only. Their properties are comprised of 20% for families with ½ the median income; or 25%, for families not earning more than 25% of the current area median income.
Minutes of Meeting Page Two July 9, 2003
The majority of their portfolio have two bedroom units, with some three-bedroom units. The proposed development in Sharon will consist of 30% one-bedroom units; 60% of two bedroom units and 10% of three bedroom units. Mr. Dell also indicated that the roads within their communities remain private, with the association doing their own upkeep and plowing, thus not costing the Town.
Mr. Tran asked how many school age children are anticipated in these types of developments. Ms. Smith answered that the average was 15 children per 100 apartments. Mr. Tran explained that the biggest issue facing housing in Sharon was to provide housing for the elderly, empty nesters, who want to stay in Sharon but not have the hassle of caring for homes. Mr. Dell said that the range of 55 or older in their communities runs around 20-50%. Mr. Hauser suggested that an increase in the density within that space to age qualified, and especially for Town employees, would be looked upon favorably by the Town. He wanted to see an increase in the number of affordable components but keeping the number of school population down.
Mr. Solomon indicated a major concern of this development was the accessibility to the parcel. It was very close to the on ramp for Route 95. People start to accelerate, as they get ready to enter the ramp, making for a dangerous situation. Mr. Tran added that they may want to consider a one way entrance and an exit off Edge Hill. Another alternative may be to buy some of the houses along Norwood Street that may give the applicant more of a presence in the area and an entrance further away from Route 95.
Mr. Hauser said that he would like to see an increase in the demographics as 40-50% for empty nesters. Accommodations should also be considered for handicapped persons, including wider doorways. Mr. Dell indicated that 5% of the units are handicap accessible. Mr. Hauser further added that guidelines currently exist for any building/remodeling in the center of Town, which include color schemes, etc. It would be nice if this community followed those guidelines bringing in a more turn-of-the century styling to it.
Minutes of Meeting Page Three July 9, 2003
Mr. Tran asked Mr. Dell what is the need for this type of housing in the type of community as Sharon. Mr. Dell answered that you can’t build enough affordable housing to meet the demand. On the market side, the demand for this type of housing is still there, regardless of the market situation. People are trading up to high quality units. Mr. Tran further added that a nice feature may be some kind of retail/convenience store as part of the development. This is the entrance point into Town and there are no stores in that area. If you were to add some retail stores, it would service that community and the area around it. Also, a great benefit to the Town would be some kind of indoor pool for the Town’s and especially the High School’s use.
Some type of indoor complex would greatly benefit the high schoolers and be an incentive for approval by the residents. Mr. Dell answered that the types of pools they build would not meet the threshold needed for a pool that would be required for that type of training.
In wrapping up, Mr. Tran indicated that increasing the density would help the Town in qualifying for the 10% affordable housing requirement. However, the Board was not in favor of over-building.
Ms. Smith distributed informational portfolios to the Board members.
III. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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