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Community Corner

Medfield's Affordable Housing Project Dominates Denise Garlick's 'State of the Town' Address [Video]

Questions regarding the affordable housing "anti-snob" law dominated the Question & Answer segment of Garlick's visit to Medfield on Wednesday. Town officials agree to schedule a public forum.

Medfield residents are frustrated that they have no control over where affordable housing goes up in town.

Very frustrated.

Questions surrounding the dominated the Question and Answer period following a “State of the Town” address by State Representative Denise Garlick at the Medfield on Wednesday night.

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"I have great respect for this great struggle you’re having in this community," she told the crowded room, stressing that this is a local issue that needs to be handled with town government.

"Right now this is your job in your town," Garlick said.

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Last month, a developer proposed a 96-unit affordable apartment complex called ‘’ to be built on industrial land (near the former Potpourri building) between Route 27 and West Street – a street that was intended to mark the boundary between industrial and residential zones. 

The Executive Summary of the application filed by Gatehouse Group LLC describes the 9.22 acre parcel as “an underutilized industrially-zoned property that is extremely well-suited for re-use as a multi-family infrastructure.”  

“This is land that the town set aside for industrial use,” said Board of Selectmen Chairman Osler “Pete” Peterson who was at Wednesday’s meeting. "You’re not allowed to build housing there except under 40B.”

Residents spoke for 45 minutes on the affordable housing issue, dominating the segment set aside for questions to Garlick and her duties as State Representative. 

Residents wanted to know what they can do to prevent the complex from being built in an industrial area on land they feel is not suited for housing.

Peterson said there is not much the town can do because of the affordable housing law – also known as the “anti-snob” zoning law – which says that every community in the Commonwealth must have at least 10 percent of its available housing at an “affordable” rate. If it does not, like Medfield, which has approximately 4.5 percent, developers can essentially build any project in any place without any regard for local zoning law. 

If a municipality rejects a proposal, the developer can easily appeal to the state where the local decision is almost always overturned.

“The trick for the Zoning Board of Appeals is to approve it but with conditions,” said Peterson, noting to do so is a “delicate balance.”

Residents suggested taking the land by eminent domain, or possibly buying the land outright. 

Residents wanted to know how to change legislation relative to affordable housing. Garlick explained that a state referendum passed overwhelmingly in 2010 – though it did not pass in Medfield – which means the majority of the state is in favor of 40B and chances are slim that the law will be changed.

“There is a great grievance growing in this town … We’re asking for help,” said resident Richard Callahan. “You need to talk to your [peers] who are on these [affordable housing] committees because we need help in the State House.”

Residents said they had heard about the project on the soccer fields, from neighbors, by e-mail and online, and they insisted on a forum in which to ask their affordable housing questions.

Peterson agreed to host a community meeting with town officials so residents can learn what options they have. He also agreed to hold a spot on the Town Meeting warrant in case the community meeting wants to put something before annual Town Meeting.

The community meeting will be scheduled for the near future.

Said Garlick: "I give you my word that I'm going to stay with you through this entire process ... Any resources that I can provide, I will provide."

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