| Stymied by former Gov. Deval Patrick last year, Needham officials are again seeking to use land slated for development to maintain a buffer zone along Interstate 95.
Patrick, whose veto killed the legislation, claimed the establishment of a buffer-zone would block a “much needed” affordable housing development – a point disputed by the bill’s backers.
Last year Needham Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick said the town issued a comprehensive permit for 108 units of housing, including a percentage of affordable units, which would not be affected by a buffer zone. Seeking a larger development, Mill Creek Residential Trust has appealed that decision.
The state’s comprehensive permit law known as 40B establishes a goal that 10 percent of a town’s housing stock be affordable. Needham is on its way to meet that goal next year if the zoning board approves a 390-unit complex at Needham Crossing, Needham Selectmen Chairman Maurice Handel said.
“Unfortunately a few groups at the last minute made this into an anti-40B bill without knowing any facts about the situation,” John Regan told the Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight on Wednesday. “This is not a question about affordable housing. It’s a question about public safety and the environment.”
The chief of staff to Wrentham Sen. Richard Ross, Regan said town officials would have opposed a playground or sports field on the site, too. Concerns include flooding and air pollutants from the highway.
The bill (H 2744) would authorize the Department of Transportation to purchase land along the highway by eminent domain. During the Patrick administration, MassDOT said it did not want the land.
Handel said the property would remain wooded and is the only property along the stretch of I-95 that is not owned by the town or state.
“40B is the law of the Commonwealth and it has been for decades,” said Paul McMorrow, director of policy and communications at the Office of Housing and Economic Development. He said the state expects towns to comply with the land and said the state “will enforce the law.”
