SOUTH DEERFIELD — Discussions about a proposed senior housing development off Sugarloaf Street continued Monday night at a Planning Board meeting, which culminated in a unanimous vote to approve preliminary plans.
The proposed development — first brought before the board in June, and again in September — calls for a condominium project of 36 buildings split into 72 apartments at the base of Mount Sugarloaf. Under the proposal, the condominiums would be limited to people 55-years-old and older. Developer Mark Wightman said he has already spoken with 10 people interested in purchasing units, seven of which are from Deerfield.
The majority of the meeting was taken up with parsing out logistics of zoning bylaws, specifically about how to solve potential stormwater runoff problems. Patricia A. Smith, a representative from the Franklin Regional Council of Governments providing guidance on the process, said the preliminary plan — which isn’t required — is incredibly detailed. She said the developer started the process early in order to gather feedback from local officials and town residents.
One such resident was Deborah Henson, a resident of Mountain Road and the environmental science program manager at UMass who voiced concern that digging basements and installing drainage infrastructure to control runoff will inadvertently and subterraneously flood neighboring basements because “there’s already potentially a high watertable.”
“I’m concerned about the watertable and I’m concerned about (water) in my basement,” Henson said during public comment.
Others brought up traffic concerns citing increased traffic flow such a development would bring. Also highlighted was a request by the developer to waive a section of the bylaws which requires curbcuts to be spaced at least 600 feet apart, in order to build in-roads closer together.
When questioned about how much each unit will cost, Developer Mark Wightman said he forsees two different price scales, one based on market value — described as “a substantial price” — the other, classified as affordable housing, offered at a reduced rate made possible through state Community Preservation Act funding.
As far as the vote is concerned, Chairman John Waite reiterated that the Planning Board’s decision only addressed whether or not the proposed plan meets the town bylaws, and “has nothing to do with how residents feel.” He said the next step — a definitive site plan — will allow time for formal public input.
“Wildlife issues, traffic, noise, light, all of those things will be taken into consideration in the definitive site plan,” Waite said, adding that in that review, questions about water runoff and urban density will also be addressed.
In support of the project Phil Allard, a resident of Hillside Road, expressed that the town has been stagnant for some time and needs new development.
“I happen to think this is a good program,” Allard said. “Deerfield can’t just sit and not grow. These are good people, and they’ll take care of any problems that come up. Everything that’s going on down there, we can work it out to a positive end. This is a good project. It doesn’t serve all answers, but it’s a lot better than an empty lot that doesn’t do anything.”
Resulting from Monday night’s vote, the developer has seven months to create a definitive site plan, which will be again brought before the Planning Board. Following that, will be a public hearing and time for more in-depth public discussion.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263