We'd like to address a few questions and comments that have come in via email regarding the proposed development at Piper Lane and its potential impact on the town in general and South Acton in particular, so that everyone can benefit from the thoughtful considerations of Acton residents.
"No one wants townhouses in their backyard. Development is inevitable. Our growing population needs places to live." We agree. For some of us at SANA, this parcel of land is literally in our backyards. It is also a parcel of land that is encapsulated by permanently protected conservation land. It is a parcel which has been a top priority for town purchase for the express purpose of protecting it from development. The Town of Acton Open Space and Recreation Plan, 2014-2020, identifies this property as "Private Lands to Purchase and Protect." There are vacant lots and vacant buildings in South Acton which can be developed or converted to housing. These six acres of forested uplands are nestled in the Great Hill Conservation and Recreation Land, Acton's only large piece of roadless open space, an extremely valuable resource for wildlife and humans from Acton and surrounding towns as well. Furthermore, Acton's population is aging; by 2030 one-third of our citizens will be seniors. Our true housing needs are elderly housing. Three story townhouses are not suitable for seniors. Acton also needs more rental housing. This is a homeownership development. The town is obligated to protect its historic and cultural resources. Over the years as Acton has created a Master Plan, the 2020 Comprehensive Community Plan, the Open Space and Recreation Plan, and a Housing Production Plan, one goal remains clearly stated and consistent - the preservation of what remains of the town's rural and historic character. This property is at the very door to the South Acton Historic District. The imposing and identical units are completely out of character, in terms of scale, architectural style and density, with the surrounding neighborhood. Development is a need and it is inevitable, but that does not mean it needs to be thoughtless and destructive. "Traffic won't be a problem. It's highly unlikely that the 80 cars owned by residents of 40 units would all be leaving or returning at the same time." Sure, maybe each townhouse will have 2 cars. Or maybe some of them will have three cars. Families with teens. Families with 3-4 adults living in the same home. Regardless of the number of cars associated with each home, recent traffic studies reveal that there are 10 vehicle trips per day per unit. That's 400 vehicle trips every day for 40 townhouses. An additional 400 vehicles on the narrow, winding scenic roads of South Acton each day. Vehicles exiting and entering a narrow, steep driveway, the one and only egress planned for this community, 160 feet from the intersection of School Street and Piper Road, blind from both directions due to curves and inclines on School Street. Vehicles travel well over the posted speed limit of 25 miles an hour on both School Street and Piper Road. Residents have difficulty exiting their driveways. Drivers sit at the Rt. 2 and Main St. traffic lights for several cycles, their cars idling and polluting the air. We think traffic is going to be a problem. "Who makes the decision about this development? The town? The state? What can we do?" This New Hampshire developer has applied for Project Eligibility from the state agency. The town can comment and make recommendations, but this is not a "friendly" 40B, or Local Initiative Project, where the developer works in collaboration with the town. We do have a chance to stop this development, however, by encouraging MA Housing to deny the application. Please email your concerns to Michael Busby, Relationships Manager at the Mass Housing Finance Agency, [email protected]. Copy the Board of Selectmen at [email protected].
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South Acton NeighborhoodAssociationAdvocating for a balance of citizen needs, retention of Acton's historic and small town character, and thoughtful development. Archives
August 2020
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