The Hillside Gardens 40B Proposal on Littleton Road

Originally endorsed by Selectmen in February, 2007, "Hillside Gardens" (which proposes to build 59 units on 4.96 acres) is a project with many problems. Most notably, important financial data was missing from the original proposal when it was submitted to Selectmen for approval. This ill-conceived project was also assumed by new ownership after the original developer defaulted and the property was acquired at auction. The new owner is moving forward with the original permit, but questions about the project's finances remain unanswered.

"Hillside Gardens" violates the state's own density guidelines by exceeding the total density allowed for this land by 35 units! Because we were able to educate residents about these concerns, people like you contacted the board to raise these concerns with Selectmen. Sadly, even after many emails and phone calls, Chairman Sam Chase continued to say that the Board "endorses the concept." His response was shocking. This summer, our group submitted over 700 signatures on our slow growth petition instructing the Selectmen to seek lower densities and higher percentages of affordable units in 40B projects. "Hillside Gardens" is 2.5 times denser than is supposed to be allowed, yet it has the minimum percentage of affordable units.

Despite a clear message from constituents demanding progress, the Selectmen let their "endorsement" of building 59 units on less than 5 acres stand.

Share your concerns with the Selectman and ZBA today by using the links below

• Board of Selectmen
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Dear BLANK
Board of BLANK

I support slow growth strategies for Chelmsford. With limited open space, cuts to town services, increased tax rates and development that continues to place burdens on our natural resources, we must stop the sort of unnecessary growth that is epitomized by projects like Hillside Gardens.

Research shows residential development aggravates town budget problems. The taxes collected from new developments don't even come close to offsetting the costs of the new services that such they require. An attempt to "build our way out" of our current budget woes will only exacerbate our problems.

The Hillside Gardens project is too dense and has the bare minimum percentage of affordable housing. This development will cost the town more than $1 million more than it generates in tax revenue. Only you can take the necessary actions to change this. I urge you to scrutinize the opaque financial reports of proposed 40B projects so that you are acting in my best intestest as a resident and taxpayer.

Our zoning and town planning efforts are being completely ignored. Residents have already made it clear that our local boards must do more to uphold the standards of our community. A recent decision at the Supreme Judicial Court upholds a town's right to deny projects that do not meet our need and which do not blend with our community.

Please take the time to question the veracity of 40B proposals, how more development will impact our community and how ongoing construction will only further degrade our town and ignore our Master Plan.

Once we allow development to happen, it cannot be removed and if we continue to allow for ongoing development we will never recover from an era of deficits and cuts in town services.