Shops may replace eyesore
NORTH ATTLEBORO – Instead of the crumbling Balfour factory building and its weedy parking lot, the planning board envisions a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood of condominiums or apartments with shops lining the street.
The planning board laid out its vision for the future of the property in a public hearing Tuesday on its proposed transit-oriented bylaw.
The Balfour property, owned by North Attleboro Commerce Center LLC and located at 21 East Street, is at the center of the 14-acre districts boundaries, which runs from Holbrook Avenue to South Washington Street to Elm Street to Route 1.
The bylaw would create a new option for the areas developers by encouraging creation of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with a bus transit center.
The facility would be run by the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority to bring commuters to a nearby train station or along bus routes running from Franklin or Attleboro.
Retail shops such as barbershops, a daycare center or even a gym are envisioned for the lower floor.
We want people to walk more and use their cars less, Town Planner Mary Burgess said. Were trying to build a community. Were trying to build a neighborhood.
The development would have sidewalks at least 5 feet wide and street furniture such as benches and public art to promote walking.
Few comments were received on the proposal, which have to be approved at a future town meeting, but most focused on two aspects of the plan: high-density housing and busing.
Buildings in the district could be a maximum of six stories and would have to fit in with the character of downtown. The maximum number of units per acre of property would be 35.
Burgess said that figure is lower than other downtown properties. Pace Plaza has 60 units per acre while 22 South Washington St. has 75 units per acre.
Has there been any study of the impact of high-density housing on the schools, on the roads and on the water and sewer system? asked Betsy Bobkaitis of Broadway.
Planning board Chairman Richard McCarthy the board would consider the impact as part of its deliberations for granting a special permit for new developments within the district.
Other residents questioned the plan for adding busing, and whether the development would still be upscale if busing was attached.
Planning board member Richard Houle explained that young professionals might be interested in living in a development with access to commuter rail and no need to drive around in a car. He said that many in their 20s and 30s who grew up in town are finding they are priced out of the housing market.
These kids cant afford to live in the town we live in, he said.
The bylaw does have provisions for the development if busing is not included. Instead, developers would be required to have a public green or parking for municipal use on the site.
The town is being assisted with the creation of the new bylaw through a technical assistance grant provided by the Southeastern Regional Planning and Development District.
AMY DeMELIA covers North Attleboro for The Sun Chronicle. She can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.