HADLEY — As the town’s first senior housing condominium project nears completion off East Street, its developer is considering a second development for people 55 and over even closer to Hadley center.
But before Amherst developer Barry Roberts can pursue another project, voters at a special Town Meeting later this month would have to approve an expansion of the existing senior housing overlay district.
The Select Board last week agreed to a request from Roberts and attorney Thomas Reidy of Bacon Wilson, PC of Amherst to place an article on the warrant for the meeting, scheduled for Oct. 24.
Reidy said the request, which would need to receive two-thirds majority support from residents, is to extend by one parcel to the west of the current district, which was created by Town Meeting in 2008. The overlay district allows multiple units on one property, which is otherwise prohibited in Hadley – and a greater density of development.
The 9.5-acre mostly vacant parcel, owned by Donald Dion, extends east from Middle Street toward East Street, and borders Newton Lane to the north and the Norwottuck Rail Trail to the south. The bike and pedestrian path provide a natural buffer from both Golden Court and Burke Way.
Roberts was the first developer to pursue a senior housing project using the bylaw and has developed 30 units at East Street Commons, off East Street and extending behind businesses on the Route 9 commercial corridor.
“He’s found there’s a need and demand for it,” Reidy said.
Roberts told the Select Board that the new project would have 28 detached units, decks and screen porches and backyard space, with a price range from $400,000 to $600,000.
Whether residents will support the zoning change at Town Meeting is uncertain.
Board member David J. Fill II said that his understanding is there are strong objections from abutters, who want to keep the land from being developed.
Reidy said he anticipates conversations with neighbors on Middle Street and Newton Lane in advance of Town Meeting. He added that any homes built wouldn’t be closer than 80 feet to the nearest property.
If the project moves forward, which will also depend on Planning Board approvals, the home at 30 Middle St. would be demolished to make way for the entrance to the site.
While the senior housing overlay district was aimed at providing affordable options for Hadley residents in retirement, Select Board members noted that the homes are more expensive than many in town.
Some Select Board members had concerns that few Hadley residents are buying into the East Street Commons, though Roberts said five of the 30 dwellings have been sold to people already living in town.
Planning Board Clerk William Dwyer said a percentage of the sales price for each home is being put in an escrow account per terms of the zoning variance Roberts received, with this money eventually going toward affordable housing. Reidy estimates that at least $280,000 is already in this account.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
