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Trust examines 1.47-acre parcel for small-scale affordable housing; seeks perk test and Habitat assessment
Summary
Trustees discussed using the Trust’s right of first refusal to pursue a 1.47-acre parcel on Northborough Road, examined unit thresholds for financing, and agreed to request a perk test and to invite Habitat for Humanity to evaluate whether a duplex, ADU or small-home development would be viable.
Trustees examined a 1.47-acre parcel on Northborough (Northwell) Road as a potential site for small-scale affordable housing. A trustee who disclosed a conflict of interest (an abutter) provided local parcel details and said the back of the lot is wet but the front half has soils suitable for septic and limited development.
Trust members summarized financing thresholds they heard from nonprofit and developer contacts: tax-credit rental projects typically need ~40-plus units to be competitive; supportive projects often need ~25 units; small for-sale developments frequently require much higher local subsidy (the board cited figures such as $100,000 per unit in local support). For a 1.3–1.5-acre parcel, trustees said 9 units is unlikely to attract the larger subsidy buckets, making small-scale options (duplex plus ADU or Habitat-built single-family + ADU) more plausible.
"This is probably the least expensive parcel of developable land in the town of Southborough," a trustee said, noting price and proximity to Route 495. The listed purchase price referenced in discussion was $216,000. The board noted the town has a right-of-first-refusal on the parcel and that paperwork and public-acquisition rules would require action quickly if the town wanted to exercise it; one trustee said a decision window of roughly 10 days could apply if the seller advances matters, while another referenced a 120-day statutory period from notice.
Trustees agreed on practical next steps: ask the Board of Health whether an existing perk test exists or to conduct a new perk test; ask Habitat for Humanity to do a site visit and feasibility assessment; and, if appropriate, call a special meeting to consider exercising the town option. Trustees discussed that Habitat often leverages local volunteer and donated materials and that the town would not necessarily bear the full per-unit construction cost.
Next steps: Alan will reach out to Habitat to request a site assessment and will check on any existing perk-test data at the Board of Health; trustees agreed to prepare for a possible expedited decision if acquisition moves forward.
