To the editor:
The addition of MBTA Communities requirements to 3A was made to alleviate a shortage of affordable housing. Every MBTA community in the state is directed to identify a single reasonable sized lot where state-mandated multi-family be built. The state’s definition of reasonable-size lot is calculated using equations in the compliance section’s Chapter 5. Marblehead’s Housing Board calculations identify a value of 27 acres. A total of 56 acres was requested at Town Meeting in order to distribute this development.
Hard to believe that such a statewide intrusion in the private sector real-estate market will be approved by our courts. Memories of the Barney Frank legislation caused the 2008 crisis.
Marblehead’s impressive growth in property values is driven by limited available land and customers willing to pay high prices to live in our special oceanfront historic town. These trends can be expected to continue. Private sector financing guidelines will mean that only a small fraction of the new homes will be available at affordable prices.
Major changes to our town will have to be made to find space for27 acres of multi-family housing construction. Provisions for off-road 2-cars parking spaces at each new home will add to the high property cost of each home.
There is the question of how this much construction can be managed in our compact town. Construction costs and new construction requirements are growing along with our Marblehead property values.
We need a realistic look at the impact of this development on the character and facilities of our historic town as well as the costs and time frame required to complete the project.
Anthony Chamay
Marblehead
