Beacon Withdraws Plans for 140-Unit Housing Complex in North Amherst
Architect's rendition of Beacon's proposed apartment building at Mitchell Farm in North Amherst. Photo: Maura Keene
Beacon Communities Vice President for Development Darcy Jameson informed Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Director of Planning and Economic Development Jeff Bagg on May 12 that the company was withdrawing its plans to build 140 units of affordable housing for seniors and families at 246 Montague Road.
A group of residents unhappy about the density of the four-story project and its threat to extensive wetlands on the property filed suit in Massachusetts Land Court, alleging that Amherst’s Zoning Bylaw does not allow the project in that location. The site is zoned Outlying Residential and Professional Research Park, and is not connected to the town’s sewer system.
Jameson wrote in her email, “After careful consideration, we have decided not to move forward. The project faces significant neighborhood opposition, and we are not interested in a project that could involve protracted anti-development litigation.”
Hilda Greenbaum, one of the residents involved in the lawsuit, stated, “Beacon proposed an unattractive hodgepodge of buildings crammed together in the wrong place. If not for MGL Chapter 40B [the state’s provision for flexible zoning in affordable housing projects], such density is not allowed in the Outlying Residence Zone and probably would not have complied with most of Section 10.38, the findings required for a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. We neighbors are very happy with the Cherry Hill co-housing and welcome the 30 families coming to Amherst Community Homes across the street from 246 Montague Road. We were willing to negotiate with Beacon, but it was ‘all or nothing.’ We are definitely not anti-development, as Darcy Jameson described our neighborhood.”
Attorney for the plaintiffs Michael Pill wrote that he had not been notified of the plans to end the project as of May 13. He wrote that until he hears directly from Beacon or its legal counsel, he is obligated to leave the lawsuit pending, adding, “In my 45+ years as a Massachusetts lawyer, this is the first time I have seen or even heard of a civil litigation defendant notifying a co-defendant, but not the plaintiffs.”