Trust reviews three WDA concepts for 6 Beach Street, debates density and accessibility

The Westborough Affordable Housing Trust on May 9 reviewed three conceptual layouts drawn by WDA for a proposed affordable-housing site at 6 Beach Street, focusing on trade-offs among unit counts, green space, stormwater handling and accessibility.

Crystal Ford of WDA presented Concept A as five duplex buildings (10 units total) of about 1,400 square feet per unit, with roughly 25 parking spaces including a van-accessible stall and an ADA space. "This allows for 25 parking spaces, including a van, ADA accessible parking space as well as a regular ADA," Ford said, and emphasized preserving as many large, healthy trees as possible while locating a cul-de-sac turnaround for fire apparatus and space for community mailboxes and dumpsters.

Trustees discussed a higher-density alternative (nine duplexes, 18 units) and a moderate option (six duplexes, 12 units). Unidentified Speaker 2 raised public-safety and neighborhood concerns, noting the fire department’s requirement that a hydrant be located near the rear multifamily buildings and urging that hydrant placement be shown on all plans. Trustee comments repeatedly returned to density: higher unit counts improve cost efficiency and help reach state funding thresholds but reduce contiguous green or play space, a trade-off trustees said they must weigh against neighborhood character in a historic district.

Board members also discussed likely target populations and unit types. Trustees said the site is intended for low- to moderate-income households and could appeal to young individuals, starter families and seniors; they emphasized including at least one fully ADA-accessible unit per property and noted the option to set age limits at 55+ rather than 62+. Unidentified Speaker 2 said the working group should use housing-production and census data to set an RFP preference for unit mix and accessibility.

Engineering issues came under review. Unidentified Speaker 5 said Concept B would likely require infiltration under pavement rather than large uninterrupted green drainage areas; trustees discussed permeable pavers as an option. Setbacks reported by staff meet the layouts shown (side 15 feet, rear 30 feet, front 25 feet), and members asked that landscaping buffers be used to protect neighboring properties.

Next steps: trustees asked WDA and staff to circulate the survey and the environmental-study materials (a survey stamped by Ken Strom was cited as available), prepare a comparative matrix of preferred unit mixes and priorities (for example, a stated preference for one or two ADA units and senior single-floor units), and refine concepts for an RFP to developers. Trustees also noted wetlands and conservation commission review will be needed before firm site plans are finalized.