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North Square at the Mill District
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- Timeline & More Resources
North Square at the Mill District
North Square at the Mill District, Beacon Communities LLC
ZBA FY2017-00007
Request a Comprehensive Permit under M.G.L. Chapter 40B, to create a mixed-use, mixed-income development consisting of two new buildings containing 130 residential units, including 20% (26) affordable units, 22,000 square feet of non-residential space, approximately 299 parking spaces, and including site improvements, on approximately 5.3 acre leased site on a 12 acre property at 134 and 92 Montague Road, North Amherst (Map 5A, Parcel 42 and 139; Commercial (Com) and Residential Neighborhood (R-N) Zoning).
Project site plan
February 6, 2017, ZBA Meeting
Letter from Valerie Cooley
Email from Bill Cooley
February 2, 2017, ZBA Meeting
ZBA Packet 01-26-17
Waivers 01-26-17
Letter from Richard Martin
Email from Glenn Jackson
Letter from Melissa Perot
January 26, 2017, ZBA Meeting
CDM Smith peer review on traffic follow-up letter
Certificate of the Secretary of Energy and Env. Affairs re Project Env. Notification Form
Green and Schween Citizen Memo
Gray-Mullin Citizen Memo
Keller Citizen Memo
January 24, 2017, ZBA Meeting
Beacon PowerPoint 01-24-17
Document packet for January 24, 2017 ZBA Meeting
ZBA Meeting Agenda, 01-24-17
Vanasse Traffic Study Review
John Oliver Letter, 01-13-17
Valerie Cooley email, 01-11-17
Beacon Presentation, 01-05-17
Melissa Perot email, 9-06-17
Drainage Report
Drainage Summary Table
Existing Watershed Plan
Proposed Watershed Plan
Existing Conditions
Projected Conditions
January 5, 2017, ZBA Meeting
Public comments received between Dec. 8, 2016 - Jan. 5, 2017
Beacon website public comments as of Jan. 5, 2017
Staff Development Application Report, Jan. 5, 2017
Planning Board letter to the ZBA - received Dec. 28, 2016
Conservation Commission letter to the ZBA - received Dec. 28, 2016
Amherst Community Connections letter
Amherst Fire Department review
Document concerning water usage
Document concerning onsite fill
Updated waiver request letter
Updated waiver requests - received Jan. 5, 2017
December 8, 2016, ZBA Meeting
Public comments received between Dec. 1-7, 2016
North Square Environmental Notification Form - received Dec. 6, 2016
Beacon ZBA presentation, Dec. 8, 2016
Staff Summary of public hearing, Dec. 8, 2016
December 1, 2016, ZBA Meeting
Public comment received for Dec. 1, 2016
Staff Development Application Report, Dec. 1, 2016
Beacon ZBA presentation, Dec. 1, 2016
Staff summary of public hearing, Dec. 1, 2016
Updated waiver requests - received Nov. 28, 2016
Updated plans - received Nov. 22, 2016
Comprehensive Permit Process Summary
There are two main phases at the local level for reviewing a comprehensive permit:
(1) Project eligibility and
(2) review of the 40B comprehensive permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals
The Subsidizing Agency shall provide copies of its written determination of project eligibility to the Department, the Chief Executive Officer of the Municipality, and the Board.
The ZBA reviews a comprehensive Permit based on:
(1) Local zoning and local regulations (Zoning Bylaw, General Bylaw, etc.)
(2) Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40 Section B, parts 20-23
(3) State regulations of 760 CMR 56
Other Comprehensive Permit Guidance
Legal counsel training material from Oct. 2016
Legal counsel letter explaining ZBA review process
Masshousing Partnership - Municipal Role in 40B
40B workshop in Northampton, Sept. 2016
- Project Eligibility Approval Letter from DHCD
- Cover Letter
- Waiver Agreement – Start of Public Hearing
- Application Form
- Development Team
- Location Context: Existing Conditions Narrative
- Project Narrative
- Waiver Requests
- Limited Dividend Status
- Proof of Site Control – WDC Certification of Agreement
- Easement Map
- Easement Memo
- PCA Site Narrative
- Plans-(Existing Conditions, Site Plan, Grading and Drainage Plan, Utility Plan, Landscape Plan (including lighting and signage), Building Plans). LARGE FILE.
- Management Plan Form
- Management Plan
- Market Lease Agreement
- Smoke Free Lease Addendum
- Tax Credit Rental Agreement
Certified List of Abutters
Legal Descriptions
Letters of Support
Project Eligibility
The Select Board has been involved with this process and the associated documents are listed below:July 18, 2016 Select Board Meeting
Memo from staff explaining Comprehensive Permit Process
Presentation by Beacon Communities introducing project to the Town
September 12, 2016 Select Board Meeting
09-07-16 memo from staff answering questions by Select Board about project eligibility phase
September 26, 2016 Select Board Meeting
Beacon Communities Brochure
Site Plan dated 8-25-16
Meeting packet with additional documents
Beacon Communities submitted the Project Eligibility application to the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) for preliminary review of their project.
During this phase the Town provided comments on September 30, 2016 to DHCD as part of this preliminary review. Thank you to all those who submitted comments!
9/30/2016 Town Comment Letter to DHCD with attachments
Determination of Project Eligibility
A determination of Project Eligibility, to be issued by the Subsidizing Agency after the close of the 30-day review period, shall make the following findings, based upon its review of the application, and taking into account information received during the site visit and from written comments:
(a) that the proposed Project appears generally eligible under the requirements of the housing subsidy program, subject to final approval under 760 CMR 56.04(7);
(b) that the site of the proposed Project is generally appropriate for residential development, taking into consideration information provided by the municipality or other parties regarding municipal actions previously taken to meet affordable housing needs, such as inclusionary zoning, multifamily districts adopted under M.G.L. c. 40A, and overlay districts adopted under M.G.L. c. 40R (such finding, with supporting reasoning, to be set forth in reasonable detail);
(c) that the conceptual project design is generally appropriate for the site on which it is located, taking into consideration factors that may include proposed use, conceptual site plan and building massing, topography, environmental resources, and integration into existing development patterns (such finding, with supporting reasoning, to be set forth in reasonable detail);
(d) that the proposed Project appears financially feasible within the housing market in which it will be situated (based on comparable rentals or sales figures);
The following are a list of documents submitted by Beacon as part of its Project Eligibility. Please click the link to view and download each document.
DHCD Transmittal Letter to the Town
Beacon Project Eligibility Letter to DHCD
Project Eligibility Table of Contents
Beacon Communities (applicant) information
Site Description
Site and Context Maps
Building Tabulations
Housing Program Eligibility
Project Description
Conceptual Design Drawings and Figures
Buildings Description
List of Zoning Waivers and Exemptions
Unit Mix and Rental Calculations and Development Budget
Market Study
Beacon July Presentation to Select Board
Housing and Sheltering Committee Letter
Town Zoning Map
Existing Site Information
Timeline of the ZBA process for reviewing the 40B comprehensive permit:
Within 7 days of the receipt of the Comprehensive Permit application, the ZBA needs to distribute copies of the Comprehensive Permit application to all Local Boards, departments, and committees.
Within 14 days from receipt of the application the initial public hearing must be advertised with proper legal notice and proper notice to abutters
Within 30 days from receipt of the application The ZBA must open the initial public hearing
Within 15 days from initial public hearing the ZBA must make a determination as to whether or not it wants to deny an application
Within 15 days from ZBA action the applicant must file its written response (challenge) with the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Within 30 days from filing of an applicant’s challenge DHCD must issue its decision re: the applicant’s appeal
Within 180 days from initial public hearing the ZBA must close the public hearing (Except with the written consent of the applicant for an extension)
Within 40 days from closing of the public hearing the ZBA must “render a decision” (Denial, Approval, or Approval with Conditions), based on a majority vote
Within 14 days of its decision, the ZBA must file a copy with Town Clerk
Within 20 days from date the ZBA decision is filed with the Town Clerk the application or public can appeal the ZBA’s decision.
North Square at the Mill District
NEW
Decision Cover Letter Dated February 15, 2017
Signed Decision and Conditions as Approved February 6, 2017
Town Manager Letter Approving Tax Incentive