SAUGUS — The Saugus Board of Appeals is expected to make a decision on a proposed 300-unit affordable housing project at a July 25 meeting. But the town still has concerns about the development.
The proposal is for a 300-unit rental complex, submitted by Saugus Residential, LLC. The development — which would be called Saugus Ridge — would be located on a 28-acre parcel located on Route 1 North.
The state’s 40B housing program allows developers to override local zoning bylaws to increase stock of affordable housing in municipalities where less than 10 percent of the homes are affordable.
The proposal includes a five-story apartment building, an amenity area of offices, a mailroom, a lounge, the leasing center and a lobby. There would also be a courtyard and possibly a pool.
The 300 units include 100 one-bedroom units, 36 one-bedroom apartments with a den, 87 two-bedrooms, 17 two-bedrooms with a den, 31 three-bedroom units and 29 studios. Of the 300 units, 75 are expected to be affordable. The cost for rent is expected to range from $1,400 to $2,000.
If the Zoning Board of Appeals approves a comprehensive permit for the 40B development, an 18-month to two-year construction period would begin this year.
Fire Chief Michael Newbury said Tuesday morning he is concerned with the developers’ plan to use a water pipe that ends in a stand pipe that firefighters would need to access during an emergency.
Instead, Newbury said the development needs a looped system that allows access to water from more than one direction.
“If water fails on the highway, I need it from the other direction,” he said.
The same looped system was required when AvalonBay Communities built 280 studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with commercial space, he said.
While he understands the concerns of neighbors, improving the area’s infrastructure would be a benefit for the town, he said.
Tom Traverse, a Zoning Board of Appeals member, said he has concerns that the town hasn’t been presented with any offsite mitigation to improve the lives of neighbors who will now be looking at a five-story building.
“Not even a paved road,” he said Tuesday.
In 2016, the Massachusetts Area Planning Council held visioning sessions with the town to help develop a housing development plan. At the time, only 7 percent, or 749 units, were considered affordable.
If the town does not meet the required 10 percent, developers are allowed to override local zoning and build denser developments.
Moderate income is defined as 80 percent of median income, which is also defined by the federal government regionally. In the Boston area, which includes Saugus, the median income for a family of four is $107,000. Moderate income in Saugus is about $80,000.
Low income is defined as 50 percent of the median income, and very low income is defined as 30 percent of the median income.
When Saugus Ridge developer Toll Brothers Apartment Living submitted a Comprehensive Permit Application for the proposed four-story, 300-unit apartment complex last year, residents spoke out about concerns with the project, ranging from traffic and safety to environmental.
The effect on nearby Prankers Pond has been a contentious debate.
