Duxbury MBTA Working Group Proposes Zoning Changes for 430 Net New Housing Units
Plan aims to comply with state requirements while balancing local concerns
DUXBURY, MA - August 19 - The MBTA Communities Working Group presented revised plans for zoning changes in Duxbury on Monday, proposing up to 430 new housing units across two sites. The plan aims to comply with state requirements while reducing the buffer from 10% to 5% over the minimum required units.
Steve Gandt, chair of the working group, outlined the proposal during a Selectboard meeting. The plan focuses on two areas: Island Creek and Bongi’s.
"We now have maps that you'll see here, and this is what we're calling the final scenario," Gandt said.
The total capacity proposed is 788 units, with 358 existing units at Island Creek. For Island Creek, the plan includes 513 units (418 multifamily, 95 mixed-use). The Bongi’s proposal comprises 275 units (267 multifamily, 8 mixed-use).
Gandt emphasized that while the total capacity is 788 units, the net new units would be 430 due to existing units at Island Creek. "The reality is under the revised maps that we saw, we're proposing to allow the addition of up to a maximum of 430 net new units as part of this overlay exercise," he explained.
The working group proposed a 10% affordability component for the new units. However, this percentage is limited by the lack of a feasibility study for a higher percentage.
Selectboard member Amy MacNab expressed frustration with this limitation. "This frustrates me that we're going to... Because this is being pushed down our throat so quickly by the state that we can't... We don't have the time and the money set aside to do a study that would enable us to fulfill another big need, which is affordable housing," she said.
Concerns were raised about the potential impact on infrastructure, water resources, and schools. MacNab questioned the long-term costs associated with the development.
"So the infrastructure, the cost to the town of that cost, those impacts are going to extend into the future forever of these units. We have significant water issues that we're facing. It's almost a crisis issue with the PFAS and the PFOA. We have schools that certainly aren't designed for these types of densities. Our infrastructure is going to take a huge hit here," she noted.
The town risks losing state aid and grant money if the zoning changes are not approved. Town Manager René Read mentioned that over the last five years, the town received $312,712 in grants from various programs, with additional millions in pending applications.
The working group requested an extension of their charge to the end of November 2024 to continue refining the proposal and addressing concerns.
Mike Herlihy, a member of the Livable Duxbury Task Force, offered support from his group to help educate the community about the proposal. "We're dedicated to try and help this process in terms of contributing factually and supportively to the dialogue," he said.
The Selectboard agreed to extend the working group's charge and emphasized the need for more detailed financial analysis of the proposal's impact.
The zoning changes will ultimately require approval at a town meeting. Selectboard Chair Michael McGee stressed the importance of providing comprehensive information to residents before the vote.
The working group plans to hold an open house on Sept. 5 to present the maps and gather feedback from residents.