Bourne Developer Proposes Affordable Rentals On Sandwich, Shore Roads
Local developer Vincent P. Michienzi intends to build two affordable rental developments in town, which would add 36 units to Bourne’s subsidized housing inventory under Massachusetts’ comprehensive permit statute.
Both the Bourne Housing Partnership and the Bourne Affordable Housing Trust voted unanimously last week to support the two 40B affordable housing projects proposed by Mr. Michienzi. One of the proposed developments would replace the historic Keene House at 9 Sandwich Road, for which a relocation plan is currently being sorted out.
Each development is proposed to house a mix of affordable and market-rate rental units with parking. A 12-unit development is proposed to be built at 194 Shore Road, next to the Aptucxet VFW Post; a 24-unit complex is proposed for 9 Sandwich Road, on the site of the Keene House once it has been moved.
Both developments were discussed during a joint meeting of the housing partnership and housing trust last Wednesday, July 12. Mr. Michienzi was in attendance and discussed each proposal with the board, which ultimately resulted in a letter of recommendation that will be shared with the relevant boards as the proposals move through the approval process.
Although only 25 percent of the units in each of the two developments proposed would be designated as affordable, all 36 of those units are eligible for inclusion on the town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) under Chapter 40B guidelines for rental developments.
In regard to the proposal for 9 Sandwich Road, members of housing groups were impressed with the proposed plan and layout, which calls for a total of 19 one-bedroom units, 2 two-bedroom units and 3 three-bedroom units with 69 parking spaces. The 24 units would be spread throughout 2 two-floor buildings and a single-unit maintenance building. Six units would be designated as affordable for residents earning 80 percent or less than the town’s median household income, which was estimated by the 2021 census to be around $82,119.
Members commended the layout and appearance of the rental units and the project in general and were appreciative that the development aligns with the town’s recent Housing Production Plan, which outlines a need for smaller rental units. Chairwoman Susan Ross said she was appreciative that the proposed rental developments benefit the town by adding stock to the town’s SHI.
Still, there were questions in regard to the potential relocation of the home that is believed to be one of, if not the oldest, in Bourne. Peter Meier, the select board member appointed to the Affordable Housing Trust, told the board that clarity on that topic would come following that evening’s meeting of the Bourne Historical Society’s executive board, of which he is also a member.
Mr. Meier told the Enterprise last Thursday, July 13, that the historical society’s executive board had authorized $10,000 to be spent on retaining an engineer/land surveyor and architect to assess the feasibility of moving the Keene House to the Aptucxet Trading Post about a half-mile away.
“We want to make sure it’s the right spot,” Mr. Meier said, adding that this is just the start of the process. “You’ve got to dig the foundation and get that done first and then after that, you’re going to make arrangements to move it.”
Moving the home will likely cause some sitework on existing town roads, Mr. Meier said, such as removing trees in order to get the house down the street. The possibility of airlifting the house had been floated a few weeks ago by historical society member Diane Flynn, but Mr. Meier said that is too risky and probably will not be happening. Between power lines and unpredictable wind gusts from the canal, there is too much to worry about, he said.
Historical society president Mavis Robinson told the Enterprise that the working group dedicated to saving and moving the Keene House has contacted Gary Sylvester, owner of Sylvester Building Movers in East Falmouth, to assist with the project. Mr. Sylvester comes highly recommended, Ms. Robinson said, noting that four out of the nine “house-moving experts” contacted actually contract out to him.
“He’s the go-to guy; he’s been doing it for a long time,” she said, adding that he told the historical society that he thinks the move can be done logistically.
“Now that we know it’s a possibility, we have to make sure that the engineering is in place,” Ms. Robinson said, “because the next burden is we have to make sure that the site does not have any items of archaeological concern or features that would prevent us from actually setting up the foundation where we want to have it.”
At last week’s meeting, Mr. Michienzi said that he spoke with Ms. Robinson recently and that the group had asked for an extension, to which he was amenable.
“We’re going to work with them,” he told members. “If it’s a couple more months, six months, it doesn’t matter.”
Ms. Robinson later confirmed that the historical society is still actively pursuing the project and that it hasn’t “given up.”
“Our main objective has been both to try to accomplish the move of the Keene House but also be good stewards of this money that the townspeople have entrusted us with,” Ms. Robinson said.
Part of the reason the process has taken so long—the town’s demolition delay order on the Keene House expired in May—is that the group is being diligent. Even finding a mover who would commit to the job was a challenge, and the group is just now embarking on the engineering process.
“We are very lucky that we have a large contingency of people who want to preserve the history of this town,” Mr. Meier said. “In a lot of towns there is really little or no interest either because they’re just not interested or because the money has to go elsewhere…depending on the community, they have other priorities.”
The housing entities also discussed last week the rental development proposed for the vacant lot at 194 Shore Road, which would house 12 units. Eight units would be one-bedroom, two would be two-bedroom, and two would be three-bedroom, with three units designated as affordable.
The building would be next door to the Aptucxet VFW Post and near Gray Gables Market. Members of both groups said they like the building’s appearance as shown on the renderings submitted and applauded Mr. Michienzi’s work.
“Both of these applications are what we need here in town,” Mr. Meier said, adding that Mr. Michienzi’s developments tend to blend in well with the surrounding neighborhoods. “He turns gold out of it, basically,” he said. “It might take a little bit longer to do it right…but the final project is well worth it.”
Mr. Meier added that he sees no reason for the select board or zoning board of appeals to turn down either project.
“I think it’s long overdue, and we need to figure out a way to provide affordable housing wherever we can,” he said, pointing out that 48 percent of the Cape’s workforce lives off-Cape. “If there’s a way we can do it that we can make properties like this that are affordable and available, let’s do it.”