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Forums to focus on land sale in Hopkinton (complete article from source)
Source: metrowestdailynews.com, by Cathy Flynn/Daily News staff
January 23, 2007
HOPKINTON - With the impending sale of 732 acres of Weston Nurseries land, the town's Civic Engagement Committee is hoping to better inform residents about how the land might be developed or preserved - and the tradeoffs of each scenario.
A series of public information sessions kicks off next week with a presentation by Sasaki Associates, which has prepared a master plan for East Hopkinton that includes the Weston Nurseries land. The session will be held Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Hopkinton Fire Station.
In the weeks that follow, the committee will host smaller presentations in 10 or 12 neighborhoods around town, and two larger informational events, open to all, on Feb. 20 and March 15. A townwide forum is planned for early April.
Trish Perry of the Civic Engagement Committee said her group is aiming to help residents understand the possibilities for the land and each scenario's impact and tradeoffs so they can make informed choices.
"It may well be that people will be asked at Town Meeting whether the town should buy or not buy the property," Perry said. "People need to understand the different ramifications of each option."
Since the Weston Nurseries land up for sale is zoned agricultural, the town has the right to buy the property within 120 days of any offer being made, and those watching the sale say a buyer could be chosen by early February.
One known bidder is Boulder Capital, a company led by landscaping magnate Roy McDowell, which submitted a purchase and sale agreement to U.S. Bankruptcy Court in mid-December. Boulder hopes to purchase 732 acres along Main Street, Frankland Road, and Peach and Phipps streets.
The company has proposed building at least 1,100 homes and a "village center" built around the existing garden center. The sale price would be $25 million in cash and stock if Boulder can build 1,100 homes and a higher price if local boards give the go-ahead for more homes.
The Hopkinton-based Land Use Study Commission has been looking at how the land sale could impact the town's character and its revenue, and two organizations - Community Opportunities Group, a consulting firm, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council - have also studied potential impacts. Community Opportunities found that exercising the town's right to buy the land, to preserve it as open space, could cost each household $600 to $700 a year.
MAPC's report said that a mix of townhouses, commercial and retail on the site would preserve open space and generate more local taxes than it would use in services, a major goal for the town.
More background on the sale from the Civic Engagement Committee will be published in Friday's Hopkinton Crier and other local media, and can be found online at http://www.hopkinton.org/gov/LandUseStudy/index.html.
Sasaki will present its master plan at the Feb. 1 event, and also update residents about the sale's status. Perry said residents who attend any of the discussions will be asked to write down their key concerns about the property.
"The more people know, the more educated their vote will be," she said.
Click here for complete article from metrowestdailynews.com
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