Age-restricted housing slated for Paine Estate
Stacey Hart
STAFF WRITER
After an hour-long presentation and more than an hour of discussion at the first session of Town Meeting on Monday, voters approved a development for people age 55 and older and a change in the bylaws to allow for this unique 69-unit subdivision.
“We need to provide long-time residents a housing alternative,” Country Road resident Katherine Strehle told the packed Weston High School auditorium.
The concept plan for the Highland Meadows development is a cluster subdivision that would put 69 homes on 44 acres formerly known as the Paine Estate. With the proposal approved, the Highland Street property will have 65 age-restricted homes for those over 55 years old. Another four units will be built without any restriction.
Seven units will be affordable and the developer also plans to build another affordable home elsewhere in Weston.
“Highland Meadows provides an additional choice for seniors in Weston,” developer Lee Barbieri said.
The homes will be clustered in the center of the site to provide a “green belt” around it, he said. More than 60 percent of the land will be preserved as open space and 40 percent will be undisturbed land.
There are plans to create trails through the property that connect with existing trails, Barbieri said. He promised to build a development that is an asset to the community.
“This proposal fills a void,” Selectman Harold Hestnes told voters.
The Planning Board unanimously supported the proposal, saying it is the best possible option for the land and fulfills a need in town.
“We have done our best to represent the town’s interests,” said board chairman Alfred Aydelott.
In an ideal world the land would be forever preserved, but it is too valuable to developers to be kept as open space, he said.
If the proposal had failed, Aydelott said 26 single family homes could be built on the site, or a 200-unit Chapter 40B project. Something will be built on the property, the question is what, Aydelott said.
“This land will be developed. No change is not an option,” Strehle said. “This is the best way to use that land for all of us in Weston.”
From a strictly financial impact to the town, the Finance Committee also unanimously recommended approval of the proposal. Co-chairman Steve Ober said the net gain for the town, in terms of revenue and assessed property valuation of the project, would be between $764,000 to $780,000.
On the other hand, if 26 single-family homes were built, the net gain would be between $299,000 and $520,000. Looking at Chapter 40B developments, whether condo or rental, the town begins looking at a net loss, he said.
The measure passed with a simple two-thirds majority voice vote, but some residents were opposed to the proposed development.
“This proposal does not fit my view of the future of my town,” said Kendal Common Road resident Ingeborg Uhlir. “This would make Weston the geriatric center of MetroWest.”
She questioned how Highland Meadows would impact the town and more specifically the schools. As fewer households in Weston have a connection with the schools, she said there will be fewer residents willing to pay for the educational costs of the town.
Uhlir said she could be convinced to vote in favor of the proposal if the age restriction was removed.
Stacey Hart can be reached at 508-626-4439 or shart@cnc.com