Sudbury housing authority and neighbors spar over Pine Lakes duplex proposal as architects refine designs before town meeting

At a Town of Sudbury Housing Authority meeting (date not specified), residents urged the authority to reconsider a proposal to build duplexes in the Pine Lakes neighborhood, and authority members said architects are still refining concept designs ahead of a joint presentation to the town.

The exchange was the meeting's most contested item. Alicia Carillo, a Sudbury resident, told the authority: "I am still hoping that there is room for the housing authority to reconsider their proposal to develop duplexes in the Pine Lakes neighborhood." Carillo said she is not opposed to affordable housing generally but asked the authority to preserve existing single-family affordable homes in her neighborhood and to consider other sites in town.

The authority's members said the project remains a proposal and that final design details depend on the architects' work. Sherry, a housing authority member, said the authority has "just gotten our architects" and that "we are just learning what they can do," noting the design process is still evolving and that decisions will depend on what the architects can make fit the sites.

Board members described a compressed timeline tied to the town meeting schedule. Contractors and the design team (referred to at the meeting as "ZED" and consultants from "Cambridge") are preparing concept work; the architects plan to present multiple concepts and then narrow them. Meeting discussion said the architects expect to prepare about three concept options and then narrow them to at least two per site before moving to more detailed design.

Residents and some board members urged more time for review and discussion. The authority said it plans additional internal review sessions and a follow-up meeting once the architects provide updated drawings. The authority also agreed to make a draft presentation available to the board prior to the joint meeting so multiple board members can review it rather than relying on a single presenter.

The meeting included several references to public engagement steps already taken: a listening session with neighbors, a draft poll for those who could not attend, and plans for future hybrid sessions to reach residents who cannot join online. Authority members said a new draft poll had just been completed and that further outreach would continue.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Feb. 11) — motion to approve made and seconded; board voted in favor (recorded on the meeting as "Aye"). Outcome: approved. - Approval of joint meeting minutes (with amendment to note four online participants) — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved as amended. - Approval of special meeting minutes (March 5) as amended — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved as amended. - Approval of checks/financial items — motion made and seconded; outcome: approved. - Motion to adjourn — moved, seconded; recorded votes included Sherry and Steve voting "yes." Outcome: approved.

Why it matters: The authority is preparing a joint presentation for an upcoming Town of Sudbury meeting where the project may be discussed publicly and where Community Preservation Act (CPC) funding was referenced as part of broader financing and outreach. Neighbors said they want the authority to consider alternate sites and to preserve existing single-family affordable homes in Pine Lakes. The authority said further design work is required before a presentation is finalized.

What happens next: Authority members said they will pin down delivery dates with the architects, schedule at least one internal review meeting immediately after the updated drawings are delivered, and aim to provide a draft presentation for board review ahead of the joint meeting. The authority also expects further listening-session outreach and a poll for residents who could not join earlier sessions.