The Project

40R Residential

We will be building a 40R residential community as part of this project. The 40R Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District (codified as MA General Law Chapter 40R) is slightly different than a more commonly heard 40B project. 40R encourages towns to apply to the Commonwealth to create mixed-use, smart-growth zoning districts with affordable housing & become eligible for Chapter 40R & potentially 40S payments, as well as other financial incentives.

The project will consist of:
  • 146-unit 40R mixed-income apartment community including 25% Affordable Housing
  • The 25% Affordable Housing will be comprised of 7.5% Affordable Housing units offered to those qualified at 60% Area Median Income (AMI) & 17.5% Affordable Housing units offered at 80% AMI, which is above the state Affordable Housing requirement of 25% Affordable Housing units offered at 80% AMI
  • Under 40R, the state would give the Town a one-time approximately $788,000 payment & possibly cover school stabilization funding for any added children to the school system under 40S
  • This plan prevents unchecked 40B housing development that overrides local bylaws because all 146 units will count toward Lancaster achieving Safe Harbor status, which means the Town will have met Affordable Housing requirements according to state law

Retail

Retail & commercial space (34,000 SF in the 40R portion alone) integrated into the 40R Smart Growth District will create new amenities in a vibrant place to gather.

  • Small retail such as restaurants, salons, doctors’ offices & car wash situated in an open-air, landscaped environment
  • Green parking areas with shade from a tree canopy
  • Hybrid charging stations included

Logistics

Creates hundreds of jobs for the region & promotes economic development from employees who will consume goods & services locally.

  • Total logistics buildout targeted for 2,404,000 SF across a multi-building layout
  • Logistics use is behind the 40R mixed-use component & FC Stars soccer complex & for the most part not visible from Route 70
  • Likewise, the 40R District is well distanced from the logistics operations
  • A substantial landscaped buffer & fencing is proposed in the northwest corner of the site adjacent to the White Pond neighborhood