Hamilton Planning Board Extends Willow Street Permit, Revises Flexible Zoning Density Formula

HAMILTON — December 1, 2020 — Hamilton Planning Board unanimously extended a Willow Street affordable housing permit and debated a flexible zoning density matrix at its December 1 meeting. The board voted 5-0 — with Chair Brian Stein and member Rick Mitchell recused due to Hamilton Development Corporation ties — to extend the site plan approval for 59-63 Willow Street by one additional year, to December 17, 2021; developer Dave Trigorth said he expected to close on financing within one to two months and complete construction within 12 months of breaking ground. The bulk of the meeting focused on a draft density bonus matrix prepared by member Bill Wheaton that would allow developers to earn up to roughly six units per acre in the R1A district and up to four units per acre in the RA district by setting aside open space, building smaller units, and meeting energy efficiency standards — or by paying $50,000 per additional unit. Members pressed Wheaton to raise the RA base density and cap the open-space bonus at 75 percent rather than a theoretical 99 percent, and agreed to send a revised draft to developers for comment before a late-January follow-up meeting. Staff planner Patrick Reffett warned the board that the existing senior housing bylaw's 100-unit cap could be exhausted within 15 units if a pending 50-unit development at 133 Essex Street proceeds, and recommended a separate spring Town Meeting article to raise the cap to 200.