Dozens of Wellesley residents gathered at MassBay Community College on the night of Oct. 8 to comment on the potential sale of 45 acres of land—a parking lot and a swath of verdant forest— to a housing developer under the state’s Affordable Homes Act.
MassBay President David Podell, Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance’s Acting Deputy Commissioner of Real Estate Abigail Vladeck, and affordable policy housing expert Eric Shupin from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities sat at the front of the room to field questions and comments from members of the public.
This was the second such forum held at MassBay’s Wellesley campus in the past few weeks, and the proposed land sale has been the topic of numerous town board meetings of late.
Although standard issues such as increased traffic and complaints about a perceived lack of communications were mentioned, Wellesley residents’ dominant concern seemed focused on the potential loss of wildlands adjacent to the beloved Centennial Reservation.
“What I’m confused about … is why people keep talking about the forest being destroyed. I think we’re all here saying that can’t happen,” said community member Ann-Mara Lanza to thunderous applause.
Michael Tobin, president of the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, said his organization’s mission, among other things, is to protect and preserve the town’s natural environment.
“We advocate for protecting all this forested land in perpetuity in the course of this MassBay initiative,” said Tobin at the forum. “If the parking lot parcel is being developed, we propose at the same time permanently protecting the 40 acres of natural forest.”
MassBay and DCAMM officials demurred when asked whether the natural area would be preserved.
“DCAMM and HLC (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) are engaged in active discussions with Wellesley residents and leaders to help shape a development that considers the priorities of the town while also meeting the Commonwealth’s urgent need for more housing,” said Hannah Carrillo, director of external affairs for DCAMM.
“While the college does not have sole discretion in this matter, our goal is to come to a conclusion that is a ‘win win win,’” said Podell, referring to a land deal that would protect land adjacent to Centennial Reservation, provide affordable housing, and help fund new student facilities and projects at MassBay.
The college hopes to construct a new building to house its growing cybersecurity program, an athletic facility, and mental health resources for students. College officials have said proceeds from the land sale would pay a sizable portion of the project, along with state funding and community fundraising.
“The topic we’re discussing today stems from a desire by MassBay to build a new building on this side of the street that would house our growing cybersecurity program,” Podell said at the meeting. The new buildings, he said, would allow local residents to participate in cybersecurity workshops, and the athletic facility would be available to residents when not in use by students.
Traffic concerns were also raised throughout the meeting.
“In terms of the traffic study, we were planning on doing some work to understand potential trip counts that might be generated, but in order to do that you have to know what the program is,” Vladeck said. “In other words, how much housing of what type is going where? We’ll at least get to this point before we’ll have the information … to then format that sort of calculation.”
Many questions asked by Wellesley residents had no answer, including those about a timeline for the project.
“A timeline for this is not yet available as the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities are still gathering information to inform the request for proposals,” said Carrillo to Swellesley. “Once the RFP is issued, it will be made available for several weeks, followed by the review and selection process, the length of which will vary depending on the volume of proposals received. More information on the timeline will become available as the process moves forward.”
Although many attendees weren’t satisfied by answers given by Podell, Vladeck, and Shupin at Wednesday’s meeting, others said they were grateful to have had an opportunity to share their concerns and ask questions before the project started.
“I’m grateful to MassBay’s willingness to integrate a conversation with our community, providing these forums and feedback, for listening and learning what’s important to residents,” said forum attendee Deed McCollum. “I understand you did not have to do this. You could’ve just moved forward, so I really appreciate the fact that you took the time and are making the time to speak with us.”
Several poster boards set up outside the meeting showcased potential housing developments to gather feedback from residents. There were also boards set up to offer attendees another chance to ask questions to MassBay and DCAMM, and tell them how they feel the institutions can positively contribute to the community.
“It has been our practice to be transparent with all of our communities, and MassBay intends to continue that practice as it relates to this project as well,” said Podell to Swellesley. “There will be additional opportunities to engage on this project.”