Let’s do it right!
The voters have a last chance to force HAP, Inc. and the town government to find a better solution for the project. If the voters vote YES on article #5, the project will be built, if the voters vote NO, the project can not be built at the proposed site.Votes on article #3 and #4 will just make it easier for HAP, Inc. to realize the project.
Here is the official text included in the town warrant:
ARTICLE #4 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen, and the Cemetery Commission if applicable, to grant an easement to HAP, Inc. and/or its designee to construct, access, maintain and operate an infiltration basin and related equipment, and to construct, access, maintain and operate a storm water overflow drain within the limits of Parcel 17 and Parcel 17.1, Block C, Town of Holland Tax Map 13 for the development and operation of the adjacent proposed senior housing project located on Parcel 17, Block C, Town of Holland, Tax map 13, and to execute any documents necessary to grant said easement and to take any other actions relative thereto.
ARTICLE #5 To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Selectmen to enter into a ground lease for approximately two (2) acres+/_ on the westerly portion of Parcel 17, Block C, Town of Holland Tax Map 13 for the purpose of the construction, operation, and management by HAP, Inc., and/or its designee of approximately 20 units of housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. Said lease is to provide for a period of 99 years, will provide that the housing to be constructed and operated thereon shall /include not more than twenty (20) rental units, to be occupied by moderate and/or low income seniors and disabled persons, to include the provisions of the summary of principal lease terms as set forth in the Option to Lease dated June 19, 2009, between the Town of Holland and HAP, Inc. (See Option to Lease on file in the Office of the Town Clerk) and such further terms and conditions as the Selectmen deem to be in the best interest of the Town and to take any other actions relative thereto.
If you have time to read the warrant for the annual town meeting, click here!
There has been strong opposition by several residents towards the project's realization on the proposed site as the 2 acre parcel does not allow the construction of the building in compliance with the zoning by-laws of the town.
The opposition is not against the project itself, the opposition is against allowing the 20 units to be built in a way that would require not less than 16 variances, special permits, and waivers. The two easements sought in article #3, and #4 are not included in the aforementioned 16 sought exemptions!
Holland has a prime exhibit of such short-sighted planning; the unfinished residence at the bottom of Vinton Road.
Henry Moselsky, the owner/builder, was unable to finish the building as there was not enough space to accommodate his septic system and well without infringing on neighboring wells and septic systems. The building permit was issued 26 years ago and against the rule to have public health issues solved before issuing the permit.
Henry was in the eighties what LaMountain was in the last four years, a man who paid dearly for the mistakes and malice of town officials as he was outspoken as well. Old-timers like myself will remember it well..
Those residents who follow the senior housing debacle know that history is about to repeat itself; the first of the sixteen relieves sought by HAP on its Chapter 40B application to the ZBA reads as follows:
To locate abutter's well and sewage disposal system a later date but prior to the subservice sewage disposal system permitting with the Board of Health;Yes, nobody seems to be interested or concerned about the health of the abutters to the west of the proposed senior housing project.
Henry’s dream to finish the house and live in it with his daughter Dale Moselsky never came to fruition. He lost the house in 1998 through tax title proceedings to the town. It was one of the properties the town sold through auction in 2002. The property changed hands again in 2007. The property is assessed for a total of $159,700.
Here is my idea:
The budget for this project is a staggering $5,280,000.00. Divided by the number of units, the cost for each unit is $264,000.00. Each one bedroom apartment will cost $264,000.00! The land the project is planned to be built on is free!
For less than 5% of the total cost of the project, HAP, could purchase the unfinished A frame house at the bottom of Vinton Road and finish it. To do that would probably only involve one exemption and not 18. The abutter to the west of the proposed senior housing project would have the opportunity to move into a house on a prime location. HAP could demolish the house on the neighboring 3.21 acre property, split the massive 20 unit building into two buildings of 10 units, draw new plans and spread the project over more than 5 acres in compliance with all laws and by-laws.
All that is required is a little bit creative thinking and good will. And of course an additional 5% of the total funding, or 5% savings if no additional funding is available.
We, the residents of Holland, do not live in a town with town sewer and water. The project as proposed would make sense if built in such a town, a town that is densely populated and not rural in character.
Town governments do not have a duty to provide low income housing for senior citizens or to tend to builders of senior housing projects. Town governments have the unequivocal duty to uphold the law and to protect its residents. By-laws are not there to be broken; bylaws are there to prevent mistakes - mistakes as the one described above - and to prevent hardships against abutters and to protect the health of all its residents.
To everybody with half a brain it is obvious that favoritism/cronyism is the underlying force carrying this project forward and not common sense.
I’m neither on the side of those who are oposed, nor am I on the side of those who are in favor of providing affordable housing to our disabled and our seniors.
If the majority is in favor of providing affordable housing, please, lets do it right!
May 24, 2010, Peter Frei
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Read also:
Senior Housing Hearing postponed.Community uproar about the proposed low-income senior housing project.
A good or bad idea in the long run?
Continuation of the 2009 Annual Town Meeting.
Annual Town Meeting Report of 2009.