Mill Creek Residential, a real estate development firm that specializes in multi-family rental properties, has begun discussions with town officials regarding a 40B development on Brush Hill Road. It would be a first for Milton. The lot is approximately 22 acres and a shoe box shape with a narrow side facing Brush Hill Road near Fuller Village. The development being considered would consist of town houses and a larger denser structure toward the back of the property. All together they are looking at a total of 300 units.
The firm has met with Fuller Village and town officials including Bill Clark, Planning Diretor, and Annmarie Fagan, interim Town Administrator. They are in the process of identifying constraints (ie wetland issues, etc) and continuing to meet with appropriate boards and committees.There is not proposal at this time as they work through their due diligence. Upon completion of that they intend to prepare an application for Mass Housing to obtain permission for a 40B development. A 40B development allows a developer to bypass certain local zoning restrictions in exchange for marketting a certain percentage of the housing units affordable. 40B developments are possible in towns that do no meet the satem minimum for affordable housing units (10% of housing inventory). Milton is currently at ~4.5%.
Upon filing for the permit Mass Housing will send the application to the Board of Selectmen for a 30 day comment period. If given approval by Mass Housing Miller Creek would then prepare an application for a comprehensive permit before the Board of Appeals according to Marion McEttrick an attorney retained by the firm to work with the town. The firm is also being represented by Deborah Horwitz, an attorney with Goulston and Storrs.
Miller Creek was founded in 2010 by veterans of Trammell Crowe a large real estate development company. Miller Creek focuses on high end residential apartment properties. They recently completed a 40B project, Concord Mews, in Concord, MA which impressed the town planner there (see story here) and put Concord over the 10% affordable housing mark. They are also seeking a 40B in Needham and meeting with resistance there (see story here).
If successful this would be Milton’s first 40B development. It is in the early stages. A meeting is scheduled for neighbors and abutters concerned about the development that will be held at Fuller Village (1372 Brush Hill Road) on 12/4 @ 7:00pm.