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Burlington Land Swap

“Preserving Burlington’s Past; Defining Its Future”

The Town of Burlington is presented with a unique opportunity to participate in a coordinated development plan and land exchange that will preserve the rich history and aesthetic character of the Grandview Farm property, create additional open space, increase tax revenues and generate positive, productive and vibrant uses for town land.

With the support of Burlington residents, a responsible and coordinated development/preservation plan can be implemented offering a unique opportunity for the Town and its residents.  This project will allow for a controlled and integrated development effort that will create the best uses for the Town’s land while showing sensitivity to the needs of the surrounding community.  Furthermore, the Burlington Land Swap Project serves as a better alternative than a more intensive development that does not mitigate potential traffic and environmental impacts on the Town and its residents.  For details on the development plans for each parcel, please see the Development Plans page.  To view the site plans and the renderings of the Senior Affordable Housing Proposed for the Grandview Farm, please see the Site Plans page.

Resident Benefits Economic Growth Benefits for seniors Environment

BENEFITS FOR ALL BURLINGTON RESIDENTS

The implementation of the proposed integrated community development plan creates many marked improvements for the Town of Burlington, its families and residents, while generating additional tax base for the Town. Benefits include:

  • As a result of the exchange, the Town will be able to offer 84 units of much-needed senior affordable housing in perpetuity to Burlington residents at no cost to taxpayers.

  • The Grandview Farm house, a valued historical landmark near the center of Town, will be preserved and renovated without the need for raising local taxes to operate and maintain the complex in the foreseeable future.

  • The aesthetic character of  the Town Common, Grandview Farm and the Mountain Road neighborhood will be preserved. 

  • The Town will acquire two to three house lots carved out of the rear Grandview Farm site, which will be sold to the highest bidders. Proceeds from those sales will go to rehabilitating the Grandview Farm structure. 

  • The Town will receive a minimum $100,000 contribution annually over the next 20 years from private developers; these funds will be available for acquisition of open space, neighborhood improvements, infrastructure improvements and other priority needs as determined by the annual Burlington Town Meeting. 

  • Approximately 10 acres of open space at the Wall Street site will be conveyed to the Town and a significant natural buffer area established around the PDD to protect the surrounding neighborhood from any further development.  

  • The land exchange and the proposed Planned Development District (PDD), creates a resident-controlled effort and eliminates potential objectionable uses for the sites.

  • The current development plans mitigate intensive developments that were originally proposed or could be built as of right. 

  • The project adequately addresses Town-wide traffic and environmental issues. 

  • The coordinated effort preserves the Eastern Box Turtle wildlife habitat and adds this land to the Little Brook Conservation area to create large passive recreational, open space/ forested area for Burlington residents to enjoy hiking, nature trails etc. 

  • As a result of the project, Mountain Road access will be restricted  to emergency vehicles only.  A conservation restriction will be proposed to provide added protection for the emergency access limitation. 

  • The project will generate significant tax revenue exceeding $1million annually.

  • The land exchange and PDD provides a positive balance between growth and preservation. 

  • The Gutierrez Company will donate to the Town two (2) single family homes along South Bedford Street to potentially provide a first time home buyer option to Burlington residents or potentially sell off the lots and use profits to improve the TRW park site.

  • The 84 affordable senior units will be maintained in perpetuity with an affordable housing restriction which will be recorded with the land transaction.

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ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR THE TOWN OF BURLINGTON

This proposed coordinated development plan will provide significant dollars for the Town through real estate taxes and building permit fees. This development will also allow for important financial benefits from construction employment, demand for labor and the ongoing purchase of goods and services by new and existing residents and employees.

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BENEFITS FOR SENIORS

Senior housing for local residents is a growing need for Burlington, and would be an appropriate and beneficial use for a portion of the proposed coordinated development plan.  The new senior affordable housing units will be available in perpetuity to Burlington residents. 

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A COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT

It is crucial that any proposed development in the Town of Burlington demonstrate commitment and sensitivity towards protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations. To that end, components of the Burlington Land Swap’s development plan include:

  • Creation of biking trails for the enjoyment of Burlington residents

  • Establishment of additional permanent open/green space

  • Preservation of wetland areas and natural wildlife habitats

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