Politics & Government

Proposed Senior Housing to Include 12 Units

The Planning Board is reviewing the application with consultant Beals & Thomas.

The is moving forward with looking at proposed plans for a newly proposed senior housing complex in town.

The application for the project, submitted by Westwood resident and contractor Ed Musto, proposes 12 town-house style units at 1561 High St., also known as Reynolds Farm, which comprises about 3.5 acres of land.

After reviewing quotes from a number of prospective peer review consultants, the Planning Board last week chose Beals & Thomas to perform a peer review of Musto's application, and will continue discussions on the project at a meeting next month.

Musto applied for Senior Residential Development in 2007, Loughnane said, though at that time it was on a larger property and aimed to house 24 units.

Now, Musto is looking to build a complex with 12 units in groups of two and three town houses.

While the designs for the development are appropriate, the actual site of where the complex would be is in a difficult location on High Street. The main concerns the Planning Board have expressed

"There are wetlands on the site," Loughnane said. "There are some deep slopes. The Planning Board will make sure that the houses on Blue Hill Drive are still protected and don't look out onto High Street, that there is wooded cover."

The complex would be a welcome addition, Loughnane said, as the town has been looking for 12 units of senior residential housing for some time. Currently the only senior housing is at , and .

Another issue is the visibility of the main road when exiting the property; there is difficulty in being able to see left as one turns out of the roadway and onto the street, Loughnane said.

"The Planning Board is supportive of the idea, and wants to make sure that the plan is submitted and will be the best plan as possible," she said.

While the housing will be geared toward senior residents, it would be acceptable for a number of residents of different ages to live in one unit, Loughnane said, provided that at least one of those residents meets the age requirement for senior residential living.

"Senior Residential Development gives you a little more flexibility," Loughnane said. "You're able to build town houses, condominiums, and in order to do that you have to meet certain requirements. At least one of the residents of the properties has to be 55 or older. It is intended to be for seniors and the units will be designed that way."

A public hearing on the matter will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 20.


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