Public issue with the height of the proposed The Hathaway
The top view of the architectural plans. Source: Allen and Major Associates
A sideways view of how the buildings will be built to have four and five stories. Source: Allen and Major Associates
A street view of where the Hathaway would be, next to Hope Evangelical Church. Photo by Kat Sheridan
The top view of the architectural plans. Source: Allen and Major Associates
A sideways view of how the buildings will be built to have four and five stories. Source: Allen and Major Associates
A street view of where the Hathaway would be, next to Hope Evangelical Church. Photo by Kat Sheridan
The Hathaway, a proposed 300-unit 40B development, is planned to be between 44 feet and 55 feet tall. Residents and members of the Zoning Board of Appeals voiced their concerns during a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, May 21.
The eligibility letter for The Hathaway states that the developer David Calhoun, director of acquisitions with Saxon Partners, “... should be prepared to work closely with its design team to address concerns regarding site grading and building height.”
The Board’s counsel, Susan Murphy, will be sending a letter to MassHousing, the subsidizing organization that approved the project plan, as Medeiros and members of the public feel that the developer is not working to find a compromise, and hopes that MassHousing can help mediate the situation.
“I cannot support this as a four and five levels story building,” said Zoning Board Chair Michael Medeiros.
His comment was met with applause from the audience, which he responded with, “Not the response I was looking for, but it’s okay.”
The front two buildings along the road would be four stories, each story 11 feet tall. There would be a 3-foot tall mechanical parapet, making the buildings a total of 47 feet tall.
The back four buildings would be four stories in the front, and five stories in the back. The front would be 47 feet tall, and the back would be 58 feet with the parapet.
The developers presented their renderings of how the six buildings would affect those living on Eisenhower Road, which is a couple hundred feet away from the property.
On average, the top three floors would be visible. However, many residents of Eisenhower Road were upset that the renderings did not show how visible the development would be from their backyards.
Resident Tom Babington suggested that the Zoning Board conduct a “balloon test,” which the Falmouth Zoning Board did for a project. The developers would float a balloon to the height of the building to get photos rather than digitally create images.
Resident Daniel Rodrigues also raised the concern that the property is less than two miles from the New Bedford Airport, and the height of the building could trespass into aviation safety. He asked that the Zoning Board look into his concern.
In a previous Zoning Board meeting, Calhoun said he isn’t obligated to provide a model of three and four story buildings, as he applied for four and five story buildings.
Many residents asked again that the developers consider lowering the stories to three in the front and four in the back.
Calhoun argued that by making the buildings taller, it lowers the “footprint” of the development.
“What happens when you have the ability to go tall, you’re able to reduce your footprint, you’re able to disturb less area, more open space,” said project architect Clay Smook.
Murphy also pointed out that the proposed Sherbrooke Farms project is making a comparable "luxury" apartment with less units and less stories.
When Medeiros asked why the developer settled on 300 units as a “suitable” number, Calhoun explained he went for the largest effective number of units, and that investors didn’t want any less.
Concerns were also raised about the fact that Calhoun is not covering the full expenses for traffic improvements. He stated that he is not required to, and pointed out that he spent hundreds printing out documents for the Zoning Board.
He also stated that he will be spending $1.3 million on sewer and water connections for the building, and so any improvements to the sewers will be covered by this fee.
“Most people who look at this development, and they see it as smart growth,” he said. Calhoun, “Putting it as far away from the town, as close to the major roads of transportation and with the fewest abutters.”
He added, “This is a huge risk for us. We’re betting on your town. We’re betting that people … want quality property.”
During the next Zoning Board meeting on June 11, the town will be discussing traffic and civil issues with the developer. This will include proposed traffic improvements and parking issues.
