HomeMy Public PortalAboutMillstone Information Update, Nov. 12, 2020The Millstone Property: 16 acres of Town owned land designated for Community Housing
A November 2020 update from the Affordable Housing Trust:
Community Housing in line with the Brewster Community
From Housing Plan Strategy to beginning to draft a Request for Proposal (RFP)
The COVID 19 pandemic has shown us that, now more than ever, saying yes to Brewster’s Vision Plan and
addressing our housing challenges, is critical to retain the sense of community that we have built together in
Brewster. Creating housing on the Millstone parcel follows the Towns’ Vision Plan, addresses our need for
rental housing, retains open space, supports economic health and helps to maintain the Town’s character.
The Town’s Vision and Housing Plans guide the Trust’s work and goal to create community housing on the
Millstone property, and have resulted in the following actions:
Identified both the need to increase housing options in Town and the strategy to use Town owned
property for affordable housing.
Purchased an access parcel and designated the Millstone property for community housing at May 2018
Town meeting. The Select Board deemed producing housing on the property a strategic priority and
gave oversight of the process to the Housing Trust. Subsequently, a feasibility study by Bohler
Engineering found that the property is appropriate for affordable housing development.
Created a strong community engagement process. Community input has been a key part of the
process. Residents have participated in a host of opportunities including the creation of Town’s Vision
and Housing Plans as well as housing information sessions, interviews, three Millstone community
engagement sessions, and two online surveys. Involvement has been encouraged with robust outreach
and material available on the Town homepage and website, in the newspaper and at Trust meetings.
Recognizing that stable, attainable and affordable housing supports the economic health and vitality of
Brewster, the Trust is seeking to create rental housing, which has been identified as the Town’s greatest need.
Only 12 % of Brewster’s housing, versus 34% for the state, is rental units. Our affordable housing
options presently have years long wait lists. Based on the feasibility study, the property could support
up to 90 bedrooms, approximately 45-50 rental units.
The Housing Trust affirms Brewster’s commitment to open space, and aims to encourage a plan which
incorporates open space in the neighborhood.
The sample concept plan leaves over 70 % open space. Clustering buildings provides for more open
space. The concept plan shows 12 one story buildings. If the number of buildings are consolidated
and/or some are two story, this would enable larger buffers.
Appreciating the beauty and character of Brewster, the Trust will develop design guidelines to ensure that
buildings match the style of the community and that pleasant landscaping includes buffers and trees.
These guidelines are influenced by a design survey and input from residents.
The next step is for the Trust to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) which will take place at public Trust
meetings over the coming 6 months and incorporate community input, including the Housing Plan.
The Trust cannot dictate the actual plan of the development but can set criteria to select the developer
of the property.
The concept plan assists in the creation of the RFP. The RFP will include the program & property
description, development & design guidelines, and developer selection criteria.
After selection, the developer would engage in a friendly, 40B Comprehensive Permit process.
For more information about the Millstone property or community housing in Brewster, see the Housing Office
webpage: https://brewster-ma.gov/departments-mainmenu-26/housing-office or contact Jill Scalise, Housing
Coordinator, at jscalise@brewster-ma.gov or 508-896-3701, ext. 1169.