by Frank Schroth

Carrick Realty has taken the next step in developing a 40B apartment building at the site of the old Hendries factory. They have filed for a comprehensive permit with the Milton Board of Appeals. The proposal, according to letter of eligibility, is for 57 rental units. There would be forty-nine 2-bedroom and eight 3-bedroom of which 15 would be affordable. A hearing has been scheduled for July 24 at 7:30pm.

There are three 40B proposals in town that have received letters of eligibility. A 40B development is one that allows a developer to bypass certain local zoning laws in towns with less than 10% of their housing inventory at an affordable level as determined by the state. The Hendries project is the first of the three proposals to file for a comprehensive permit, the second step in the process. The other developments are on Brush Hill Road across from Fuller Village and Randolph Avenue (between the DPW yard and Reed Street).

The Board of Selectmen are meeting this evening and among their agenda items is a discussion of the property. The town owns a portion of the land and will be discussing the possibility of deeding the land to Carrick Realty in exchange for Carrick demolishing the town owned portion of the building and developing a mixed use structure that would be condominiums with  commercial on the ground floor. Carrick pursued a 40B alternative after their special permit for a mixed use development was denied by the Planning Board. Town officials have made efforts to put a mixed use development back on the table but to date have been unsuccessful.

Currently there is an agreement in place between the town and Carrick to take the building down in a September time frame. The 40B proposal does not include the town owned portion of the property.

Following is the notice of the hearing:

TOWN OF MILTON

As Constituted under Chapter 40A of the General Laws of Massachusetts and Section IX of Chapter 10 of the General Bylaws of the Town of Milton will hold a public hearing on:

JULY 24, 2014 AT 7:30 P.M. IN THE BLUTE CONFERENCE ROOM TOWN OFFICE BUILDING, MILTON, MA

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeals of the Town of Milton will hold a PUBLIC HEARING in the Blute Conference Room on July 24, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. on the Application of 131 Eliot Street, LLC (the “Applicant”) and Steven A. Connelly, Trustee of Carrick Realty Trust (the “Owner”) with respect to property located at 131 Eliot Street/corner of Central Avenue, Milton as shown on Assessor’s Map, Section E; Block 24; Lots 45 and 46 which property is located in Zoning Districts Residence C and Business.

The Application requests a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to G.L. c. 40B, Section 20-23, as amended, to allow the redevelopment of a portion of the old Hendrie’s ice cream factory building and the construction of a single 3 to 5 story (mid rise) building with 57 residential rental units, 25% of which (15 units) will be for affordable households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income.  All as therein set forth in said Application and plans on file with the Board and open to public inspection.

Brian M. Hurley, Acting Chairman
Francis C. O’Brien, Board Member
Theodore E. Daiber, Board Member

Board of Appeals