Town Meeting OK advances Newbury Court expansion
Despite pushback from neighbors and affordable housing advocates, the measure passed with broad support.
It doesn’t look like much today. But after a “yes” vote at Town Meeting, a mostly wooded stretch next to Emerson Hospital is one step closer to redevelopment.
New England Deaconess Association, the parent organization of the Newbury Court senior living campus, bought the parcel last year and pitched zoning revisions to expand its current operation.
Despite pushback from neighbors and concern from affordable housing advocates, the measure passed with broad support. Planning now enters a new phase, and the Select Board will soon discuss how to spend expected revenue.
“We have a growing need for these services, and Deaconess provides these services exceptionally well,” Select Board Chair Mary Hartman said before urging voters to support the rezoning.
‘We need this’
Executives from Deaconess met with neighbors in recent months to address their fears. Deaconess made concessions, including larger setbacks for tall buildings and caps on the number of units in townhomes.
Some still questioned why Deaconess pursued a citizen petition rather than going through a traditional zoning process.
At Town Meeting last week, West Acton resident Honore Weiner praised Deaconess’ services but said she’s worried about traffic.
In housing circles, attention focused on Newbury Court’s cost of entry and Acton’s growing senior population.
“We need this,” said Acton Housing Foundation President Frank “Rich” Feeley. “But there are a lot of people in Acton that can’t afford it.”
Deaconess representatives emphasized the difference between traditional affordable housing and the units they provide, which include comprehensive senior care services. Rather than add affordability measures, Deaconess agreed to a proportional mitigation payment. It could send the town up to $3.9 million for senior services over 10 years.
Hartman previously hailed the town’s memorandum of agreement with Deaconess, which also included commitments on taxes and infrastructure.
Following the Town Meeting vote, Deaconess CEO Chris Sintros celebrated with Newbury Court residents who had shown their support.
“We’re proud of our community,” he said.
‘It’s going to take time’
Though the article passed by a 389-56 vote, Deaconess’ mitigation payment was the subject of tense talks before Town Meeting, as advocates pushed the Select Board to earmark funds for housing.
Feeley made a similar appeal Wednesday night and secured a promise from Hartman to talk about allocations at an upcoming public meeting. Though some may favor the housing route, Select Board member Cameron McKennitt said he wants to keep options open for other senior aid, such as tax relief.
The payment amount is also in flux because Deaconess hasn’t finalized its plans.
New zoning allows up to 194 units across roughly 12 acres. But attorney Mark Bobrowski said Deaconess doesn’t expect to build that many.
Sintros said it might be as few as 100 units, with a $2 million contribution. He told The Acton Bridge that “it’s going to take time” to decide, and Deaconess will run community outreach during the planning.
In the meantime, Newbury Court resident Bo Grove said he was “delighted” the rezoning passed.
Though the community is expensive, Kit Nichols said she’s on the waitlist and thinks it’s “a wonderful place.”
Stan Griffith, also on the waitlist, thinks an expansion will benefit Acton. He’s already downsized from a home in Lexington to a cottage in the Millrun neighborhood.
“Land does not lie fallow,” he said. If not for Deaconess, he continued, a developer could have pushed a different project that wouldn’t be “particularly helpful.”
Other articles
Beyond rezoning:
- Voters on Town Meeting’s last day advanced a proposal to ban second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides over the objection of the Economic Vitality Committee. The ban needs state approval before it takes effect.
- A push to loosen parking rules prompted a larger discussion about development and ended with a “no” vote on Article 37.
- Voters also struck down a petition to broaden exemptions from cell tower zoning restrictions, but passed a second parking article that backers said simplifies permitting for new businesses.
Town Meeting dissolved at just past 10:30 p.m. on June 4 with a final thank-you to a dwindling crowd.
“A great debt of gratitude to all you stalwarts who have stayed until the end,” said Town Moderator Carmin Reiss.
Trace Salzbrenner and Christine M. Quirk contributed reporting.
