'This is not the right place for it': 152-unit affordable housing project in wooded Auburn area met with opposition

AUBURN — A Marlborough-based developer looking to build a 152-unit affordable housing project in a wooded area met opposition from neighbors, with some asking for its downsizing and others standing against it.

The eyed plot of land is at the end of Perry Street off Auburn Street and parallel to Interstate 290 South.

The engineering team working for developers Whitney Street Home Builders presented the project Tuesday morning during a gathering at the 8.55-acre plot. On hand were town officials including the town manager and the police and fire chiefs.

Plans show that the project will comprise three buildings, three to four stories, with 16 to 24 units per floor. The developers also propose 240 parking spots and a lawn area to be used as a dog park.

As a 40B development, the project’s units would be priced based on rents equal to 30% of 70% median income.

If built, they would abut existing properties, among them the single-family home of Donna and Paul Dacri. The Dacris, both 60, lamented that they would have to sell their home of 34 years if the project is approved.

“Before it’s breaking land, we’re out,” said Donna Dacri.

When asked about their stance on 40B projects, Paul echoed his wife with “yes,” although they have reservations about one being built in their neighborhood.

“This is not the right place for it,” said Paul. “This project is just too big for the neighborhood. This is a quiet neighborhood."

With short inventory and rising rental rates, 40B housing is often seen as the solution to an ongoing housing crisis in the county and the state.

In Worcester, the average rent has reached an average of $1,995, with Forbes ranking it third highest in the country last month.

Among other factors, short inventory, inflation and mortgage rates for real estate are also seen as contributors.

According to The Warren Group, the median for a single-family home in March was $431,000 in Auburn, a 17.4% increase when compared to March 2023.

Similarly, Worcester County home prices reached a median of $433,000, which was a more than $35,000 increase when compared to March 2023.

During the presentation Tuesday, other neighbors stepped up to ask questions, among them Dan Largesse, who said he is the third generation in his home, which is just around the corner from the targeted land.

After the gathering, Largesse called 40B housing “weaponized housing,” although later adding, “We absolutely need housing.”

Largesse, 56, added that he would be open to the project if it were downsized to single-family homes.

“This project’s just too large,” said Largesse. “Housing is definitely needed, but it should be put in an area where it fits.

“Next to this project, the houses that are there now are going to look like Monopoly houses.”

Another resident, Mike Darsh, agreed with Largesse, also emphasizing that the project’s blueprint would ask for the razing of the wooded area.

Darsh, 70, added that he was also concerned about increasing traffic through Perry Place if the project were to be approved.

“I would rather have it just left as is or single-family homes because that wouldn’t disturb the environment,” said Darsh.

Town Manager Edward J. Kazanovicz said Tuesday that the town sees many issues with the project, citing “water issues. There's conservation issues. There's roadway issues. There’s pedestrian safety issues, signalization issues.”

Since the project was first pitched to the town May 5, 2022, Kazanovicz said that the town has tried to address the issues with the developers, "but the developer decided to bypass that and go directly to the state.”

The project is currently under review with MassHousing, an independent, quasi-public agency that provides financing for affordable housing in the state.

“If they approve it, then it comes back to our town — to the zoning board of appeals for their review and approval,” said Kazanovicz.

On Tuesday, a representative for Whitney Street Home Builders at the gathering refused to comment on the project or the reactions to it.

A spokesperson for MassHousing later said that town officials have until the end of June to provide any comments before a decision is made.

“The town, not MassHousing, ultimately decides whether the project moves forward,” reiterated the spokesperson.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'This is not the right place for it': 152-unit affordable housing project in wooded Auburn area met with opposition