Idea #176 – Development at Acorn Park

Report Status: Fully Reviewed

Researched by: Brian Antonellis

Original Idea as Submitted

Acorn Park Development

Other ideas included in this report

  • None

Idea intent

Drive revenue through the development at Acorn Park Development

Weighted Final Score: N/A (already implemented)

Background Information

After over 12 years of litigation between developers and environmentalists, a building permit for the new construction of Residences at Acorn Park, a $70 million, 299-unit apartment complex in the Belmont Uplands on March 6, 2015. A.P. Cambridge Partners, LLC (limited liability company), who built the complex, fulfilled “all requirements under the Zoning Board of Appeals and received a comprehensive permit.

The Belmont ZBA’s most recent stormwater regulations use 2011 rain data, but Belmont Town Counsel has advised that since the Residences at Acorn Park project received a 40B Comprehensive Permit in 2007, it is exempt from the requirements of the local stormwater bylaw. The state’s Chapter 40B law allows developers to bypass local zoning requirements if a town’s housing stock is less than 10 percent affordable.

Recommendations

No recommendation. This land was developed, and the town is currently receiving real estate tax on an annual basis.

Next Steps

  • None

Further Reading

  • N/A