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Date: 8/29/2023
HADLEY — A development presentation for a potential multifamily community was met with resistance at the Aug. 15 Planning Board meeting, the second time the proposal has gone before town officials this year.
Thomas Reidy, an attorney with Bacon Wilson, PC of Amherst introduced the presentation on behalf of Indiana based Trinitas Ventures, a residential developer who is seeking to construct a 224-unit and cottage project on a 45-acre parcel on the Babb Farm property off Rocky Hill Road and North Maple Street.
“This is something that’s been in concept for quite some time for the Babb property,” Reidy said in describing the proposal.
“This is unique to the town of Hadley, it’s unique as far as location, public amenities, design, density and so I would ask you just to have an open mind and not to come to a conclusion before you hear the presentation because while it’s different, I don’t know that it’s necessarily bad,” he said.
In March, a discussion on the potential for the project went before the Housing and Economic Development Board where concerns were raised about the density of the project.
Chair James Maksimoski advocated for the presentation to go forward despite initial objections from board member Joseph Zgrodnik.
“Have we ever not had an open mind, Tom?” responded board member Michael Sarsynski.
Adam Saxon, a development manager with Trinitas told the board that he scouts out potential sites around the country and Hadley has been on their map.
“We’ve been working and trying to find a property in Hadley for some time and have been fortunate enough to work with the Babbs and have it officially under contract,” he said.
Todd Wendall, a vice president at Trinitas who is heading the project pursuit, told the board that at least 20% of the units would count towards affordable housing and pointed to what he called a need for market rate housing in Hadley.
Wendall also said the developer would be willing to be part of a combined effort to improve the town’s sanitary system.
“We understand that the sanitary system is a bit of an issue there and we think that is some synergy between our site and some of the needs potentially for Hadley and ways to improve that system,” he said.
Wendall also offered projections of a $300,000 increase to the town’s tax base annually as well as sales tax increases and upgrades to the utility infrastructures.
Maksimoski offered the initial responses to the presentation, concerning the impact a 224-unit complex would have on the immediate area, noting that affordable units would be demanded by the town, with nothing less accepted.
He also made note of the potential impact on vehicle traffic.
“You’re talking 224 units, at a minimum you’re talking probably 500 to 1,000 vehicle trips a day, ballpark,” he said. “Rocky Hill Road and North Maple Street are by no means super highways but are seeing huge amounts of traffic because of the UMass traffic during the school season. Right now it’s kind of light but during the school season they’re very heavily traveled highways, adding that kind of vehicle trips to them may be stretching their capacity,” Maksimoski added, also pointing out building height restrictions and a community member’s comment regarding a current shortage of housing for University of Massachusetts students that is often passed on to neighboring towns."
Clerk William Dwyer called the proposed site a remote location with a lack of sidewalks or bike lanes and far from the nearest transit location.
Board members also cautioned that the area is not currently zoned for apartments and that when completed the town population could see an increase of 20 to 25%, impacting the school system as well.
Looking for next steps, Reidy inquired about the 40R process and the potential for state approval.
Chapter 40R seeks to substantially increase the supply of housing and decrease its cost, by increasing the amount of land zoned for dense housing, according to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
Dwyer responded that the 40R process would be a topic of discussion at the next meeting of the board.