New Meetinghouse Road Plans Draw Praise, Criticism

CHATHAM – New plans for the 42-unit affordable housing development on Meetinghouse Road garnered both praise and criticism at a zoning board of appeals hearing April 7.

The plans filed by developer Pennrose LLC incorporate a neighboring property that will increase the land area of the development from 3.75 acres to 4.12 acres. Adding the additional .55 acres at 87 Meetinghouse Road lowers the density of the project, provides more parking and allows the entrance to be moved further to the north, where topography isn’t as challenging, Pennrose officials said.

“We assure you that what you see today will work on the site,” said attorney Marian Rose.

Rose said the company has an agreement to purchase the 87 Meetinghouse Road property, which is owned by Corey Baker and valued at $489,800, according to the assessing department. The main parcel is owned by the town and will be deeded to Pennrose once it secured permits and funding.

Last Thursday’s comprehensive permit hearing came after a three-month hiatus during which the project’s design team worked to address concerns raised by zoning board members and the public, said Pennrose senior developer Rio Sacchetti.

“I think we’ve been able to advance the design significantly in the past 90 days,” he said. “It’s really quite remarkable how much work has been done to change the development plan.”

The project continues to call for 42 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in eight buildings. The additional land will lower density on the parcel from 11.3 units per acre to 10.3 units per acre, Rose said, and will also allow for 67 parking spaces where 61 were previously proposed. Two of the buildings which previously had their backs to Meetinghouse Road will be relocated to the north of the parcel, and there will be a larger forested buffer between the road and the development, she said. Common greenspace and a playground are also expanded under the revised plan. The management office building was relocated to be more central, and a new maintenance building was added that will include space for bicycle storage.

A single-family home now at 87 Meetinghouse Road will be removed.

Several zoning board members and residents said the new plans were an improvement, but others were critical of the lack of a sidewalk along Meetinghouse Road and the size of the buildings, among other details.

“They’re going to be an eyesore that will continue with us,” Linda McElroy said of the proposed buildings.

Attorney JP Burke, representing abutter Gloria Hicks, said the board needed to be as critical with the new plan as it was with the original, asserting that the application lacked essential documentation regarding Pennrose’s control of the site. Those defects will “invite costly and lengthy litigation” by his client, Burke said.

“Continuing the hearing process without diligent attention to these requirements is a waste of municipal and civic energy, not to mention taxpayers’ dollars,” Burke said.

 South Chatham Village Association President Carol Gordon called the plan “ill-fitted” and said town officials were afraid to stand up to Pennrose and the state “in pursuit of what is best for Chatham.” Given the land being added to the project, she asked the zoning board to start the comprehensive permit process over again.

Elaine Gibbs alleged that Pennrose knew about the additional land purchase months ago and failed to notify the town. “We’re just another money-maker for them and their bottomline,” she said.

Pennrose officials said a sidewalk along the west side of Meetinghouse Road was not practical because of the grade. The project includes a path from the housing to the nearby bike trail, which crosses Meetinghouse Road and connects to a sidewalk to Route 28. Board members were critical of directing pedestrians to the bike path, which is not plowed in the summer, making access difficult.

“It’s a bad idea to put pedestrians onto the bike path, bad,” said David Nixon. He was also critical of the lack of studio apartments in the complex.

Associate member Edward Acton said even with the existing grade along the road, he believed a sidewalk could be built. “I really do think a sidewalk is a pretty good idea on that side of the street,” he said.

“You have to do something other than the bike path for people to get out to the major thoroughfare,” added member Steve DeBoer. Acting chair Randi Potash said someone would have to be onsite to clear snow so people could use the bike path in the winter.

“That to me is glaring” and “very concerning,” she said.

But board members were generally positive about the new plan.

“I still think there’s a little bit of work to be done, but overall it’s a step in the right direction,” said board member Leigh Hovey. 

“I think that you’re really showing a desire to make this a better project,” said member David Veach.

David Oppenheim called the plans “well thought-out.” Pennrose is a “good partner,” said Michael Schell. “These guys know what they’re doing. They’re good at it. They’re capable of being flexible,” he said.

While there are a lot of people upset with the project, “we’ve got to do it,” said Frank Messina. “It’s just necessary.

“It’s not perfect, but I think you've got a lot to work with here,” he said.

“Chatham needs this,” said Meredith Fry, urging the board to support the new plans. “It would be an historic step forward for affordable housing in Chatham.”

The hearing was continued to June 4.