Remember when the proposed Old English Square project on Route 139/Union Street was a retail development that would bring the community some needed revenue? Remember when the drawings for this ambitious plan showed an outdoor area for gathering and possible open markets?
Well, that's all gone. The project has been completely redesigned and redesigned for disaster.
Today, the planning board is looking at a massive condominium project that includes a 3-story parking garage, a bar for the bowling alley, a wastewater treatment plant that they call an an "Eco Machine," and an a stable for horses that abuts the industrial park.
The stable is located in a restricted conservation area on the site. It is important to point out that the paddock is not allowed under current zoning and the restricted conservation area has been eliminated from their current plans. The retail component of the project isn't even part of the plans any more.
The only business being discussed for the project is relocating Strictly Fitness on North Franklin Street to the bowling alley. That's not bringing new business into the community.
What if those condos don't sell? It will become an annex for Ramblewood. Holbrook's police, fire, and schools can't support that additional population.
According to a statement at www.oldenglishsquare.com, "On February 13, 2007 the Mullins Company presented the Planning Board in Holbrook with updated plans for Old English Square project. These updates include changes to the existing bowling alley and fitness center, and the addition of horse stables. Also proposed at the meeting was the implementation of an ecological sewer system. This sewer system would not only be environmentally friendly, but economically sound, as well as pleasing to the eye. The system would occupy about ½ acre of land and would include greenhouses full of plants and flowers of all types.
"Following the submittal of the new proposed plans, the Planning Board had questions regarding the tax implications for agricultural use of the land, if in case the Mullins Company utilized the land for horseback riding, etc. They also had questions in regards to the new sewer system and the economic benefits of implementing such a system. The Mullins Company is scheduled to return to the planning board with information requested by the board members in hopes of finalizing the hearing and moving to the next step in the development process. The next meeting will be held at the Holbrook Town Hall on the evening of Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 8 p.m."
The plans can be viewed at the planning board office. Click here to check out a history of the project and its litany of changes.
What is the planning board thinking when it comes to this project? How is this planning for the future of Holbrook? Next thing you know, Mike Mullins will be interviewing Sue Wright for the stablehand position. She seems qualified.
2 Comments:
No Business to offset the proposed residential then no residential. This has become one big lie after another. The only other thing we can do is make this whole thing age restricted and we do not need that. It Mullins want to come to the table with what they started out with to begin with then lets talk, other wise kick them to the curbless sidewalk.
As far as I know, we still have a moratorium on sewer connections which may be why the retail portion has not been constructed. Possibly the market is changing, too.
Their "Eco-system" may be a way to get around the moratorium long term.
Condo's don't usually attract families with children, so I would not worry about the impact on schools.
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