First, an email distribution list
has been created that will used to notify people of upcoming meetings or
activities, plans, reports, etc., for those interested. To get on the list send
an email to planning@sherbornma.org.
The next step is that Trask has
to do a lot of detailed engineering to prepare final plans for both projects.
Since they will share a wastewater treatment plant and water, it makes sense to
do the engineering for both projects together.
As for permitting, Trask's
"Coolidge Crossing" 40B project is on hold and before the Housing
Appeals Committee. It may be moot because "Meadowbrook Commons" (the
EA that just got preliminary approval) would replace Coolidge Crossing anyway.
The Villages rental project is before the Mass Housing Partnership for
consideration of a Project Eligibility Letter (approval is highly likely). Once
Trask gets that letter and gets the engineering done, he can apply for both
projects. One wrinkle is that 40B projects are submitted to the ZBA while EA
projects are submitted to the Planning Board (PB).
Due to the nature of the two
projects, considerable collaboration is likely. That would likely include, at a
minimum, hiring the same peer reviewer, but could potentially include
joint hearings which would make it easier on everyone involved.
As for timelines, again the rules
differ between 40B's and EA (and all special permits). The first hearing for a
40B must occur within 30 days of submitting a complete application. Special
permits must be heard within 65 days of application. Again, the PB may schedule
its hearing at the same time as ZBA if the application for both projects are
complete. Then, the PB must make a decision within 90 days of closing the
hearing, but there is no real limit on how long the hearings may continue. On
the other hand, the hearings on a 40B must close within 180 days of opening
(unless mutually agreed by the applicant and ZBA to extend it). The PB decision
must be filed with Town Clerk within 90 days of close of hearing while a 40B decision
must be filed within 40 days of close of hearing.
The opening hearing of both
permits must be advertised in a newspaper twice - at least 14 days in advance
and then at least 7 days in advance. Abutters within 300 feet of the perimeter
of the property must get a notice in the mail. There is no specific timeframe
for that other than "reasonable." PB has already decided it will
expand that distance to notify everyone on Meadowbrook Road and much of
Coolidge Street plus anyone who provides an email address. After the
first hearing, no additional notices are mailed and there are no more newspaper
ads. The ZBA and PB must announce the time and date and place of the next
hearing at the first and all subsequent ones. Email notices though, will be
sent to everyone on the list.
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