LYNNFIELD — Sagamore Spring Realty Trust’s plan to build a 66-unit 55+ senior-housing development got another green light when the Select Board voted unanimously to not exercise or assign its right to purchase the property under Chapter 61B, the state’s Open Space and Recreational Land statute, on Monday night.
That statute promotes the conservation of recreational property, including golf courses, by reducing the real-estate tax burden on owners. The program is completely voluntary.
Select Board Chair Joe Connell said the Select Board has received a notice of intent under Chapter 61B from Sagamore Spring Real Estate Trust to convert the use of recreational land to another use and that once that happens, the town has the right to purchase the property under the law.
Connell noted that the board has already engaged in numerous discussions with the trust and that certain concessions have been made.
Sagamore trustee Richard Luff said Wednesday that the board’s vote not to exercise that right falls in line with previous agreements between the trust and the town.
“This is more or less a formality as we can only have a tax benefit on property that falls under 61B, which basically means that if you agree to keep the land as open space, you are eligible to apply for the tax break,” said Luff. “But what the board’s decision means to us is that our developer, Toll Brothers, will now be able to continue with some of the testing they’ve been doing and be ready for the permitting process in the fall, which is all good news to us.”
In 2022, residents voted at a Special Town Meeting to approve two zoning changes that were needed to build the proposed development; one that allowed for detached units in elderly-housing districts and a second to amend the 36-acre zoning district where the development will be located from Residential to Elderly Housing.
The project will be built on property that is currently used as a driving range and parcel of undeveloped land along the first and second holes of Sagamore Spring Golf Course, which is now in its 96th year of operation. The course will remain intact and open to the public.
Luff appeared before the board at the meeting, saying he was there to answer any questions the board or meeting attendees might have.
Connell said he didn’t have any questions and was “very happy that this is happening.
“As I had told you before you came in, people are approaching me right now that certainly want to purchase one of the townhouses down there, so congratulations as well,” he said.
Select Board member Phil Crawford said he is looking forward to the development going in.
Luff thanked the board for its continued support and said he is looking forward to getting started on the project.
He said there have been no changes to the project, which calls for detached units of 1,800 to 2,900 square feet, a 2,200 clubhouse with a pool, and other outdoor amenities. The Lynnfield Center Water District will supply water to the development. There will be a community septic system.
This was the second time the trust has sought to develop the property. In 2018, a proposal to build a 154-unit complex on approximately 105 acres along the eastern side of the golf course was voted down at Town Meeting. While a majority (171-136) of residents voted in favor of Article 19, which would have changed the zoning from Residential D to Elderly Housing, the vote fell short of the two-thirds vote required to pass.
