Thank you for your interest in the Burlington Land Swap. We appreciate your feedback. We are listing answers (grouped by subject) to the questions and comments below that we have received. We will be updating this page as we receive additional questions. If you have a question that we have not answered on this page, please e-mail us at info@burlingtonlandswap.com.
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| General Questions | Impacts | Senior Affordable Housing | Open Space |
General Questions
What is the Burlington Land Swap?
As a result of this project, what will become of the Grandview Farmhouse?
What is a Planned Development District (PDD)?
What parcels are involved in the land exchange?
What are the development plans for each parcel?
What are the benefits of the land exchange and PDD to Town residents?
Can the town’s business owners expect any benefits as a result of this project?
Will Burlington residents have an opportunity to vote on this project?
Which type of housing is SMOC proposing for the Grandview Farm?
When will they (SMOC) have pictures of the building, etc?
When will more information of SMOC’s building plans become available to the general public?
What is the Burlington Land Swap?
The Burlington Land Swap is an integrated community development plan being proposed by the Town of Burlington and two local developers. The plan calls for a land exchange between Town-owned and developer-owned property that will afford Burlington the best use for its land. The project also entails a Planned Develop District (PDD) to master plan and set restrictions on the Wall Street property to be developed as part of the overall plan.
As a result of this project, what will become of the Grandview Farmhouse?
The structure will be renovated and restored and is slated for Municipal use.
What is a Planned Development District (PDD)?
A Planned Development District is a master planning device permitted under the Burlington zoning by-laws that creates mixed-use developments and amenities that surpass the goals of the traditional zoning plan, reduce environmental impacts, and realize mutually beneficial relationships among uses. The PDD also provides an effective tool to impose controls over development.
A PDD provides for the assembly of properties for simultaneous municipal planning and development that would otherwise be developed independently in unrelated and uncoordinated increments to the detriment of the community. The PDD also allows the Town to take advantage of the benefits that integrated community planning offers over conventional zoning techniques.
What parcels are involved in the land exchange?
The parcels involved in the exchange are:
1) 32.7 acres located off of Wall Street and Mountain Road
2) 14.6 acres located off of Wheeler Road
3) 6 acres located off of Center Street (Grandview Farm property)
4) 1 acres on South Bedford Street
5) 3 acres off Glen Avenue
What are the development plans for each parcel?
Wall Street & Mountain Road: The PDD permits a up to a 170,000 square feet of first-class office space with an associated parking structure that will allow for the retention of “open space” beyond what would exist under presently-approved development plans. Further, 144 market rate housing units and 36 senior affordable housing units will be constructed on this property. These 36 units will be reserved for Burlington residents and will be maintained in perpetuity.
Wheeler Road: The development plans for this parcel involve the construction of up to a 159,000 square feet of first class office space as well as a much-needed access easement to the abutting and currently vacant 13-acre parcel under the control of the Burlington Housing Authority.
Grandview Farm Property: The Grandview farmhouse will be renovated and restored and no more than 48 senior affordable housing units will be constructed on this portion of this property. These units will be reserved for Burlington residents and will be maintained in perpetuity. The Town will also receive up to three single-family Residential (RO) zoned lots which will be sold to the highest bidder and proceeds will go towards rehabilitating the Farm.
South Bedford Street: The development plans for this parcel have yet to be determined; however the Town acquires at no cost to the taxpayers two additional single family homes along South Bedford Street to potentially provide a first time home buyer option to Burlington residents or potentially sell off the homes.
Glen Road: The 3.3 acre site will remain as open space.
What are the benefits of the land exchange and PDD to Town residents?
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As a result of the exchange, the Town will be able to offer up to 84 units of much-needed senior affordable housing to Burlington residents at no cost to taxpayers.
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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.
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The aesthetic character of the Town Common, Grandview Farm and the Mountain Road neighborhood will be preserved.
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The Town will maintain two to three house lots carved out of the Grandview Farm site, which will be sold to the highest bidder. Proceeds from those sales will go to rehabilitating the Grandview Farm structure.
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The Town will receive a minimum $100,000 annually over the next 20 years from private developers; funds will be earmarked for acquisition of open space, neighborhood improvements, infrastructure improvements and other priority needs as determined by the annual Burlington Town Meeting.
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Approximately 10 acres of open space at the Wall Street site will be conveyed to the Town. This land will be utilized as a significant natural buffer area around the PDD to protect the surrounding neighborhood from any further development.
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The land exchange and the proposed Planned Development District (PDD), creates a resident-controlled effort and eliminates potential objectionable uses for the sites.
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The current development plans mitigate substantially intensive developments that were originally proposed or could be built as of right.
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The project adequately addresses Town-wide traffic and environmental issues.
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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.
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As a result of the project, Mountain Road access will be restricted to emergency vehicles only. A conservation restriction will be sought to provide added protection for the emergency access limitation.
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The project will generate significant tax revenue exceeding $1million.
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The land exchange and PDD provides a positive balance between growth and preservation.
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The Town acquires at no cost to the tax payers two (2) additional single family homes along South Bedford Street to potentially provide a first time home buyer option to Burlington residents or potentially sell off the homes.
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The 84 affordable senior units will be maintained in perpetuity with an affordable housing restriction which will be recorded with the land transaction.
I heard that local developers will be allocating money to the Town over a period of 20 years. How much will the Town receive and how will it be used?
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.
Can the town’s business owners expect any benefits as a result of this project?
This PDD will provide small businesses and retail establishments throughout Burlington with additional customers and increased business activity from new residents and employees.
Will Burlington residents have an opportunity to vote on this project?
Yes. A Special Town Meeting will be held in early May at Burlington High School’s Fogelberg Auditorium to allow Town Meeting Members to vote on whether or not the Burlington Land Swap should move forward. The Project requires a two-thirds vote for approval. We encourage strong community participation by all Town residents in this important decision that will affect current and future town residents and businesses. To identify your Precinct's Town Meeting representatives, please contact http://208.58.133.9/clerk/tmmlist.htm for information.
Which type of housing is SMOC proposing for the Grandview Farm?
SMOC will build senior affordable housing at the Grandview Farm. There will be a deed restriction which will, in perpetuity, restrict the housing to seniors. Additionally the rents will be restricted, with increases limited to a cost of living index. The deed restriction will provide for Burlington resident preference by a priority schedule.
When will they (SMOC) have pictures of the building, etc?
Detailed architecture, layouts, pictures, engineering will not be initiated until the overall concept and the land swap is approved by Town Meeting. Conceptually, SMOC is proposing a three story building, of colonial design. There will be both one and two bedroom. Current concept is 50% each. All apartments will be handicap accessible with an elevator.
When will more information of SMOC’s building plans become available to the general public?
The concept and the land swap will be the subject of a special town meeting to be held on May 16. Once passed by Town Meeting, the approval process will begin with public hearings at the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and other town boards.
Impacts
Will this plan call for any improvements to the existing roadway infrastructure?
Yes. Details of specific improvements are forthcoming.
We are concerned with the current traffic situation. What impact will this project have on the state of traffic around Town?
The traffic impact will be mitigated by improvements imposed by the Planning Board during the special permit review once the project has been approved by Town Meeting.
Does the Burlington Land Swap permit vehicular access to the Mountain Road neighborhood from the planned development off of Wall St. and Mountain Road?
No. This project will not allow for any vehicular access to or from Mountain Road except for emergency vehicle access only when Wall Street is inaccessible.
Senior Affordable Housing
How many affordable housing units will be built for seniors?
This project calls for the construction of 84 new affordable housing units for Burlington seniors. Some 36 units will be constructed on the Mountain Road site and an additional 48 units will be developed on the Grandview Farm site.
How will the residents of Burlington benefit from this new housing?
The new senior affordable housing units will be available to Burlington residents and will be maintained in perpetuity.
What is SMOC? How are they involved in this project?
SMOC is the South Middlesex Opportunity Council. The group will build and manage the 48 senior affordable units proposed on the Grandview Farm site.
We have been hearing that as a result of the Burlington Land Swap Project, there will be up to 84 units of senior affordable housing. Is this a fixed number or will the number be allowed to be reduced at a future time, at the request of the owner(s)?
This is a fixed number since the units will be governed by a deed restriction in perpetuity.What kind of structure will the proposed senior affordable housing be?
The proposed senior housing will be apartments that will only rise three stories.How much will these units cost a potential tenant?
First, the proposed these units are not for sale. Second, rental rates will be approximately $900 per month for two bedroom units; $750 per month for one bedroom units.
What will be the architectural style of the proposed apartments?
The architectural design of the building will be of colonial style consisting of three stories; elevator access and will be handicap accessible.
How many one bedroom and two bedroom units will be available?
All together, half of the units will be one bedroom units and the remaining half will serve as two bedrooms units. In addition, there will be a clubhouse and common area for all residents to utilize.
What will be the layout of the proposed unit(s)?
Each unit will consist of either one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, a full bath and a living room/dining area.
When will detailed plans be available for each site?
Once the project concept has been approved by Town Meeting (May 16), the project then progresses thru the permitting process with Planning, Conservation, etc. During this process, detailed plans will be generated and full public scrutiny and input will occur.
When you talk about low/moderate housing are you talking in terms of apartments for rental or single family homes for sale to low/moderate income families?
The senior affordable units that may be developed via this land swap are apartments for rental purposes and not for sale. Eligibility is for seniors; age 55 or older with preference to Burlington residents. Highest priority will be to residents with income less than or equal to 80% of the Greater Boston median, which is around $40,000.
Will sidewalk installation be part of the neighborhood improvement aspect of the proposed minimum $100,000 annual donation by the private developers?
The business proposal for the land swap includes a payment of $100,000 per year from the developers. Uses of these funds which will ultimately be determined by Town Meeting and may include infrastructure improvements, neighborhood improvements, etc. The use of these funds for sidewalk improvements would certainly be considered as a high priority item for funding.
Can senior affordable housing be purchased by a Burlington resident for a senior parent? Also, my parents lived in Burlington for 32 years, but have retired and moved. Would they be eligible to purchase senior housing if they ever decided to move back? What other requirements must be met to purchase housing?
Although the town has not completely finalized all of the details with respect to the senior housing , the following eligibility and preference criterion have been finalized:
Eligibility: Current Burlington residents, 55 or older
Income: Highest priority, income less than equal to 80% of the Greater Boston Median income which is around $40,000
Rent schedules: Current projections are $900 for a two bedroom; $750 for one bedroom
Specifically relative to your questions:
As the senior affordable housing will be rental units, they cannot be purchased as would be the case if the units were condos.
If your parents were to move back to Burlington and become residents, they would be eligible for renting a unit according to the priority groups as established; the first being as stated above: income less than 80% of the Greater Boston Median income. It is important to note, that no asset test will be performed to eliminate seniors. In other words, if your parents have assets such as stocks, bonds, liquid assets, or real property, they could still qualify under the income test.
Open Space
Is there going to be any green, recreational or open space preserved and/or created as a result of this project?
Absolutely. Some 10 acres of open space will be maintained on the Wall St./Mountain Road parcel for conservation land and the preservation of a turtle habitat. Additionally, the Gutierrez Company will preserve an additional 6 acres of open space under the power lines. Finally, plans for the Grandview Farm property include creating several acres of open space near the center of town. In addition, bike trails will be created for recreational use.