With an influx of multiple high-density developments coming into town, Dartmouth sees more challenges of rising costs and aging infrastructure, but the need for housing remains. Town officials are now looking to residents to help shape the future of housing through an updated Housing Production Plan.

The town is working with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District to update its Housing Production Plan, a five-year roadmap intended to support the development and preservation of affordable housing in Dartmouth. A brief online survey, now live, is being used to collect resident input on the community’s housing needs, priorities and concerns.

“People see things in the news about these different things and then they have questions, ‘How do we get involved?’” said Planning Director Dan Gioiosa. “Well, this is a good way to get your feedback into the town.”

The survey includes questions on topics like housing for seniors, families, veterans, younger residents and recent graduates, as well as demographic information such as age group and length of residency.

“We want to try to get a wide range of different opinions,” Gioiosa said, adding that input from residents of all ages will help guide future decisions. “We don't want to just come up with ideas that the town doesn't have an interest in.”

The survey is available through the town’s homepage or directly at www.surveymonkey.com/r/Dartmouth-HPP-Survey. Responses will be accepted through the end of July.

The call for public feedback comes as several large-scale housing projects, many under Chapter 40B, continue to move forward.

The Preserve on State Road, a 288-unit 40B development by First Dartmouth LLC, has received its building permit and is currently under construction.

The Delano Apartments, a 55-plus development on Dartmouth Street by Claremont Companies, has received a foundation permit. A building permit is still pending, with completion projected for fall 2026.

Sherbrooke Farms on Old Westport Road, a proposed 156-unit 40B development, has received its site eligibility letter from MassHousing and is expected to submit its comprehensive permit application soon. Meanwhile, the Hawthorne Residences on Tucker Road — 147 units of 55-plus housing — is awaiting site eligibility approval. Another proposed 300-unit project on Hathaway Road is currently in the public comment period before the site eligibility letter is issued.

A 64-unit project on Faunce Corner Road has received a use variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals but has not yet applied for a building permit.

To help guide developers early in the process, the town hosts informal “concept review” meetings twice a month. Developers can present projects of varying detail to receive early feedback from departments. Additionally, departments have the opportunity to send comments and other feedback on projects through the online portal.

“It gives everybody a chance to kind of see what might be coming,” Gioiosa said. “And it helps to try to guide those potential developers [on] what their path is going to be when they do come to town.”

Gioiosa noted that the town is seeing a move away from conventional subdivisions and toward higher-density housing, driven by economic and land availability factors. 

There is currently one project underway through the Open Space Residential Design Subdivision permit, which allows for smaller lots and lower construction costs in exchange for dedicating at least 50% of the land as permanent open space. Consisting of seven single-family homes, it is under construction on Fisher Road.

As SRPEDD develops the new housing plan, it will provide recommendations and goals for meeting a wide range of housing needs, working with the town’s Housing Production Plan Committee, which includes town officials and board members.

“Once we come up with these things — whether it's an overlay district [or] mixed-use district — we have to present that to Town Meeting,” Gioiosa said. “So we want to make sure we're presenting things to Town Meeting that the citizens of the town actually want.”

The last survey highlighted a shift in the town’s demographics toward an aging population. The updated plan will provide a fresh look at resident needs, homeownership trends, and preferences around housing types, density and zoning.

“These are questions we want to know to plan our future — on how we want to proceed with housing options in town while maintaining the current character,” ” Gioiosa said

For more information contact:
Chris Welch – cwelch@srpedd.org
Chris Vitale – cvitale@town.dartmouth.ma.us
Learn more at srpedd.org/Housing-Production-Plans