Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposed 120-Unit Affordable Housing Complex

A group of residents is vocally opposing a proposed 120-unit affordable housing development at 276 Mill Road.

Opponents told the Board of Selectmen Monday night that the traffic levels, a dangerous corner and the site's proximity to public drinking-water wells make, among other things, reasons the location is a poor choice for such a development. 

The proposed 120 rental units would be built in three four-story buildings not meant for Mill Road, just off Billerica road, said resident Maria Karafelis.

“You’re going to see this eyesore of four-story buildings,” Karafelis said. 

Though the selectmen won’t have the ultimate say, the board voted to forward residents’ comments to MassHousing, a public housing agency. MassHousing will decide whether to allow the proposed complex’s developer to seek approval from the Chelmsford Zoning Board of Appeals.

Residents have through Wednesday, July 31,  to voice their concerns.

Long-time Chelmsford resident Jeff Apostolakes said traffic in the area is already heavy because of two schools – Lifelinks and South Row.

“The buses, 12 or more, queue up along Mill Road from Lifelinks,” Apostolakes, a resident at Queen Street, said. “If you’re coming around that corner, you are forced immediately out onto oncoming traffic.” 

Other opponents said the area is zoned as industrial and should remain that way. 

“We have really a jewel in the crown of Massachusetts with the intersection of Route 3 and 495 right here in Chelmsford,” said Vincent Road resident Bill Martin.

Martin said residents who live in this proposed affordable housing, also known as 40B, should live within the community and not so far away.

“You couldn’t get any further from the community unless you put them in a rest area,” Martin said. “It’s not a part of the town. It doesn’t welcome those residents. It’s almost a stigma to put this out in the hinterlands of the community in an industrial complex.” 

He added that he also worries about the proposed development would contaminate public drinking-water wells nearby.

Selectman Janet Askenberg agreed with the opponents. She referenced Chelmsford’s 2011 affordable housing master plan, in which the site at 276 Mill Road only received favorable reviews for its access, feasibility and infrastructure, but not for its sense of community or character.

John Edward, a member of the Housing Advisory Board, was the only resident Monday night who spoke in favor of the proposed development, citing affordable housing as a way to promote economic growth. 

"Where are the literally thousands of people who will benefit from affordable housing in Chelmsford? They're not going to appear at a public hearing like this, typically," Edward said. 

The Mill Road development is one of two large developments proposed for Chelmsford and would help Chelmsford meet a statewide requirement that every town help house people with below-average incomes. 

Construction on Chelmsford Woods, a 115-unit affordable housing complex proposed for Littleton Road, is expected to begin next year.

A representative from the developer, Princeton Properties, was not at the meeting. Patch has asked developers for a comment.