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Guidelines For Comprehensive Permit Projects
The Massachusetts Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has guidelines for MGL Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit Projects, also known as affordable housing. There are two important sections that were pulled from the document that relate to the requirements that must be met, which includes, but are not limited to: local bylaws, zoning, and subdivision control laws.
Public Hearing — January 24, 2022
The continuation of the public hearings for the proposed Rice Pond Village project will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, beginning at 7:15 PM EST.
Railroad Denies Request
The Providence and Worcester Railroad (P&W) will respectfully be unable to provide any funding for this project at this time. The Rice Road crossing currently meets standard requirements for the existing conditions and the P&W is unable to spend its' limited funding on replacing railroad assets that have not yet reached the end of their lifecycle.
Railroad Contribution Letter
In the interest of improving safety, the Planning Board wants the developer to absorb the costs of widening Rice Road to a uniform 22' paved width (including the 19' wide section within the railroad right-of-way), along with several other off-site improvements including improvements to vehicular and pedestrian safety along Rice Road.
Can The Developer Withdraw?
During a couple of the more recent Millbury Planning Board public hearings for the proposed Rice Pond Village project, the developer, Steven F. Venincasa, has stated (an ultimatum) that he could simply withdraw the special permit application and resubmit an even higher-density affordable housing development, with slightly less than 225 affordable apartments under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 40B.
Developer Wants Input On Four Options
At the Monday, January 10, 2022, Millbury Planning Board public hearing, developer, Steven F. Venicasa, proposed four options that he wanted the Millbury Planning Board to vote on, so he could determine a direction to head in with the proposed Rice Pond Village project. At this point, it is like developer, Steven F. Venicasa, is throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks. Most of these options were not well thought through.