CLAREMONT — A decision on whether to grant a density variance for a proposed 172-unit affordable housing project on a vacant parcel accessed through residential neighborhoods off Washington Street has been continued by the Zoning Board of Adjustment until November at the earliest.
The ZBA voted the continuance at its Sept. 8 meeting after hearing testimony from the applicant, Southwestern Community Services, and its attorney as well as many residents who are strongly opposed to the project.
Chief among residents’ concerns was increased traffic on their neighborhood roads that they said would be a safety hazard for residents who walk regularly on the dead end streets.
College Square, a neighborhood with street names of Princeton, Cornell, Yale and Dartmouth, would be one possible outlet for vehicles leaving the housing complex that is proposed on about 15 acres of a 75-acre vacant parcel primarily behind Hannaford’s supermarket on Washington Street.
“I am not a big fan of this plan to come in and out there,” said Jim Litevitch of Dartmouth Street where the applicant proposes to link a loop road through the housing complex from First Street. “We hope to see another way to get the traffic out.”
Litevitch also said their quality of life will be diminished with that many vehicles making their way to Washington Street every day.
“There is not much traffic and we would like to keep it that way,” he said. “Help us protect College Square.”
Residents said the street will have to be widened and sidewalks added, which would mean taking frontage property from homeowners.
John Arnold, an attorney speaking for the applicant, said the concept of a loop road through the project connecting Dartmouth and First Street is “still up in the air with design and permitting work to be done.”
Chris Miller, who lives on Yale Street, said in addition to the lights now at Hannaford’s, the project would likely require stop lights at First and Washington streets, and at Moody Avenue, which leads to College Square, and Washington Street.
“If you stroll through the neighborhood you will see it can’t handle the traffic,” Miller said.
Arnold presented the plans on behalf of SCS, which is seeking a variance to increase the permitted density on the agricultural-zoned land from one unit for every five acres to one unit per 19,000 square feet. Arnold explained the development would be built in stages, with about 35 units every 18 months.
Though it is a considerable change in the allowed density, Arnold said the 19,000 square feet is in line with the 10,000 square feet allowed in the adjacent residential zones on First Street and in College Square, and the development would be clustered near existing residential areas on First Street.
He framed the development as an economic opportunity for the city that will help local businesses and bring in tax dollars, but also acknowledged that there will be a significant increase in traffic.
“We are interested in working on traffic with the police department to make sure everything is safe,” Arnold said.
Arnold said the fact the property is on city water and sewer proves it can support the increase in density. He also said no “red flags” were raised in preliminary discussions with city departments including police and fire. However, ZBA members weren’t satisfied and in their continuance motion asked for reports from city departments, including water and sewer, on the impact the project would have on all services.
Arnold also said he saw no likely reduction in surrounding property values, one of the criteria for a variance.
“We recognize this is a big project and we understand there will be concerns from the city and members of the public,” Arnold said. “The organization (SCS) sees itself as a true community partner. We see this as a good opportunity for Claremont, despite the hurdles.”
SCS CEO Beth Daniels addressed the board at the start of the hearing and explained that they are looking to do a mix of senior and affordable housing and possible moderate income housing, depending on investors. She cited studies showing a housing shortage across a range of different populations as a clear indication this project is needed. It would be SCS’s first housing project in Claremont, though it does provide a number of other services including bus transportation and fuel assistance.
During the public hearing, resident John Mosher told the ZBA the project is a “very bad idea” for several reasons, including “gridlock” on Washington Street because of more traffic, a strain on public assistance, and added burden on police and fire.
“This is just the wrong place for a major project like this to go in,” Mosher said. “There are a lot of negatives and no positives for an overtaxed community.”
If the variance is approved, SCS would still need a special exception from the ZBA and site plan approval from the Planning Board.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com
