When we last tuned in to the Wellesley 40B real estate development drama, the projects proposed on Stearns Road, Delanson Circle and Weston Road appeared to be moving ahead, albeit not exactly as developers had envisioned. Not that asking for the universe and settling for the moon isn’t standard practice.
The one 40B project that has actually begun to head toward reality is the 44-unit Fieldstone Way condo complex that’s being built on 12 acres of land on Great Plain Avenue near the dump.
Developer Northland Residential (“Recognized for our dedication to the environment, Northland Residential Corporation is a privately owned company which has become one of New England’s premier developers of extraordinary real estate….”) hasn’t responded to our inquiries, so we’ve been unable to get details on their latest plans. But the first real physical evidence of the project moving forward grabbed residents’ attention this week.
Countless trees have been removed, transforming what was previously heavily forested property into what the developers intend to be a haven for empty nesters and others (nests were certainly emptied during this process). A truckload of the fallen trees even made a very special guest appearance at the Climate Strike rally at Wellesley Town Hall on Friday.
The new look for 135 Great Plain Ave.
That project’s progress should give hope to developers whose proposals are still making their way through the town’s gauntlet of approvals. Developers who file for 40B projects can gain leeway on zoning rules in exchange for dedicating a portion of units as relatively affordable. Wellesley has been working to up its affordable housing stock to 10% overall, and that would enable it to avoid thwart proposals for developments it deems as inappropriate.
Upcoming Zoning Board of Appeals meetings will address the following projects:
*Cedar Place at 3 Burke Lane (Sept. 24 and Oct. 2, Town Hall, 7:30pm)
*The Crossings at 136-140 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 East), battling back from a project eligibility denial in late 2018 (Oct. 15, Town Hall, 7:30pm)
The town refuses to acknowledge the purpose of the 40R and 40b projects. These projects are designed to be built for:
1) Easy access to PUBLIC transportation for the purpose of cutting down traffic and the need for car usage. The projects proposed on Rt 9 East and Wellesley Office Park do not promote this seeing neither of these have public bus routes. AND the closest public transportation is Elliot station which is a mile up Rt 9 in Newton with no sidewalk access the whole way. You tell me who is going to trudge through snow and ice to get to Elliot station on a freezing winter day! That intersection has accidents all the time as people drive 60-70 mph through those lights. Adding additional traffic to that would be worse than the nightmare it already is!
2) To allow easy access to local merchants, public libraries and buildings, and community centers to increase the town’s revenue. Haha! You can’t get further from the center of town than the edge of Wellesley going into Newton!
3)To meet the state mandate of 10-11% for affordable housing. Well, at the public hearing for a 40R proposal at Wellesley Office Park, the selectmen admitted that the project being completed on Route 9 East would already fulfill that state requirement. So, why are they pushing for more? You tell me.
4) Lastly, but not least, the town gets a VERY SIGNIFICANT stipend for each 40R and 40B project it completes. Come on! Like this town needs more state funds!
These 40R and 40B projects are being pushed by greed and nothing more!
I’ve been to the town meetings and, believe me, attending those meetings IN DROVES is the ONLY way we will be heard. Stay informed and make your voice heard at the town meetings if you want to keep this town small and quiet.
I won’t even mention what the increased population will do to our public schools. We can all do the math with that one…
Why can’t existing buildings be made into 40B housing. You could probably get 10 apartment out of the old Filenes building which has become an eyesore. It comes down to greed and money. It is so sad to see that huge lot with all of the trees taken down.
When the Williams St. project is permitted by the Town (to be built) we will reach the 10% threshold, until then affordable income projects will continue to be presented (and built).
This Town is so over-built it’s not even funny! Way too congested and over-populated as it is. What used to take me just a little under 10 minutes to go from one end of Town to the other now takes a good 25 minutes if not too much traffic and that is at night! I thought they were holding a Climate change rally? This Town is a complete joke to live in. There is no scenery anymore just building after building. I can’t wait until my house is renovated and I am either selling it or renting it out to get out of here and live more comfortably somewhere else and with a nice view of something! This Town is a complete eyesore!!
While I don’t love the traffic congestion mid-day or cutting down trees, I would hardly call Wellesley an “eyesore.” Compared to other places I’ve lived, I find it to be charming and quite beautiful. Plus, we have the Brook Path, Morses Pond, Warren Park and neighborhoods full of gorgeous tall trees. Sorry you don’t seem to appreciate how good we have it here. I wish you luck in your new town.
Anne..I completely understand what you have written and what you have listed as scenic places are very few . What I am saying are all the new houses being built that have to tower over the other taking up the next houses sunlight and turning them into shade. Really there aren’t too many homes in the nice open sunlight with adequate outdoor living space. If they can’t fit in a house of proportionate size to the rest of the houses then they build them sideways..check out Beechwood Road..what a mess! You are now looking at your Neighbors front door from lets say your bedroom or dining room. They are now creating driveways through what is supposed to be a backyard so now from a back room in your house you now have to see headlights coming in. It is beyond crazy how this Town is allowing certain homes to be built. I can’t even have a decent porch built in front of my house as it extends beyond a certain line with the rest of the houses. on my Street but they allow mcmansions to be built sideways? They are cramming in people like sardines here with so many condos, houses, built too close to each other; Yes where we move will at least have a nice view, open space and not a looming mansion over us! I am talking about the Neighborhoods quickly and alarmingly changing not walking trails that you have to wander in to see. Wherever there is open space they are building on it and I do like to see at least a little bit of scenery when I drive. You do not get that here! Thank you!!
Perhaps how good you had it here. Wellesley has changed, a lot. Unless you have kids in the school system, there is nothing to justify the prices of real estate nor the taxes.
And I though the Town of Wellesley had a tree by-law where developers had to contribute to a Tree Fund if cutting down a tree whose caliper exceeded 6″. The Wellesley Tree Fund must be in for a “wind fall” from the Great Plain Avenue project!
“I think that I shall never see a poem lively as a tree…”by Joyce Kilmer
I heard that the 40b project at William street (Wellesley Office Park) alone fulfils the 40b requirement.
That’s looking like a 40R, not 40B project, but yes, that could help the town hit 10% if it goes according to plan from what I recall.