by Frank Schroth

According to a recent article in the Boston Globe (Highway plan heads to Town Meeting vote) Canton residents of Hemenway Drive are seeking to have their street designated as a scenic way. The initiative is part of their efforts to prevent the construction of Milton Mews a large 40B apartment complex being developed by Mill Creek Residential on Brush Hill Road in Milton.

The article quotes Avril Elkort, vice chairwoman of Canton’s Board of Selectmen as saying, “The people on Hemenway are doing anything they can to prevent the building planned for Brush Hill Road from coming onto their street.”

Mill Creek has received an eligibility letter from MassHousing which allows the project to proceed. However, there is an issue with emergency access to the property. If designated a scenic drive the developers may have difficulty in satisfying the access issue as they will not be able to widen the road.

Denis Keohane, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, is quoted. Of the scenic-way article, Keohane said, “It’s like closing the door of the stable after the horse has gone out.”

The article requesting the designation will go before Canton Town Meeting. If approved it will then need to go before the Canton Planning Board. You can read the Globe article here.