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What's New?
As you know, Corcoran withdrew their LIP application on March 21.
We have since learned:
- Corcoran filed a traditional 40B "site approval" application with MassHousing on March 21, 2008. A copy is available for public review at the Board of Selectmen's office, or on loan from me for 2 days or so by anyone wishing to review and provide insight.
- The site plans have not changed very much, except that the plans indicate that Corcoran intends to locate the sewer system on their own property across a wetlands crossing and an "intermittent stream" on a seemingly too-small parcel of land nearest the high school and nearest to Third Herring Brook (the parcel of uplands leftmost on this link): http://www.norwelltogether.com/images/site_plan.pdf
MassHousing invited the Norwell Selectmen to provide "comments" on the site approval application by May 2, 2008 (date extended one week by MassHousing).
Jim Budreau, Town Administrator indicated, and MassHousing suggests, that the Board of Selectmen solicit feedback from various town boards and committees (Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Affordable Housing Partnership, etc.)
Jim Budreau also indicated that the BOS will indicate their support of or opposition to this application by May 2, 2008. We still do not know if anything really has changed in terms of this change from a LIP to a traditional 40B and eagerly await the Town's statement of position. The Town has thus far only been in favor of one 40B application - Washington Woods on Route 53, which the BOS supported initially but began to regret as the process went forward and lawsuits ensued.
MassHousing suggests the BOS may wish to include comments from other "interested parties" which we are considering. From what we understand, MassHousing is only interested in comments related to health, safety, and welfare, so we are evaluating what comments we may wish to make.
MassHousing conducted a site visit on April 10 at 10:30 a.m. to which only Town officials were invited. Karen Joseph of the Planning Board attended the site visit and provided the foloowing update to all of us: "We didn't actually go in the septic area, but looked across the "intermittent stream " at it. The stream did not look intermittent to Todd (Thomas, Town Planner) and myself and we were wondering if it is Third Herring Brook. When we were walking back to our car, we heard Jon Flood ask the rep from the state if he should get to work on traffic. The gentleman replied yes and wetlands too. Based on that Todd and I felt they are probably going to be given project eligibility status. While we were walking the site, I asked Jon Flood when they were going to go through MEPA. He said they would likely file with the ZBA first and get the footprints nailed down before going to MEPA (Mass Environmental Policy Act).The regs are at 310 CMR 11.00. Wetlands, traffic and groundwater discharge should be issues there. New stormwater regs are also in effect for projects that need Notices of Intent. One aspect of a traffic study that they will have to do is speed and accident reports. I believe Todd has asked for accident reports for the Planning Board's comments. Jon Flood indicated that they will be using H.W. Moore for their traffic study."
If MassHousing approves eligibility, the project moves forward to Norwell's Zoning Board of Appeals, and a public hearing. The other Town boards provide the ZBA with comments, but do not have a formal role.
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