<p>Aquinnah town officials and Island affordable housing leaders gathered Friday on a cold hilltop to break ground on a new affordable housing project.</p>
Aquinnah town officials and Island affordable housing leaders gathered Friday on a cold hilltop to break ground on a new affordable housing project.
The project will include two three-bedroom homes at 801 State Road, which will occupy about an acre of land. The rest of the six-acre lot will be set aside as conservation land.
The lot was sold to the town at a below market price, by Helen Mays, whose grandfather Russell Smalley once owned the land. The small development will be known as Smalley’s Knoll.
Before shovels went into the ground, Island Housing Trust project manager and Aquinnah affordable housing committee member Derrill Bazzy read a letter from Ms. Mays.
“It makes me happy to know that my family has helped to make it possible for two families to have an affordable home in Aquinnah, especially during the season of giving,” she said. “This news is the highlight of my year.”
Selectman Juli Vanderhoop noted the passing of the winter solstice, minutes before the ground breaking ceremony.
“How special this Aquinnah place is, our community,” Ms. Vanderhoop said. “It is so important, for those of us who understand that history that runs beneath the land, to develop in the proper way, and with our passion, allow these small but great things to happen.”
The project is financed by two anonymous donors, and Aquinnah Community Preservation Act funds.
Contractors said they would have the two homes ready for move-in by next September.
Comments
Way to go Aquinnah! Keep it
williamWay to go Aquinnah! Keep it up! Ms. Vanderhoop said it best...
Great work to all involved.
Well done, Aquinnah! Congrats
Dean Rosenthal EdgartownWell done, Aquinnah! Congrats to IHT, Philippe, Derrill, Juli & the Selectmen for getting this done and especially to the fortunate future owners
2 families on 6 acres? What a
What a joke2 families on 6 acres? What a joke. Why not 6 families on 1 acre each? Or 12 families on 1/2 acre each? No wonder we have a housing crisis.
We are not building houses.
I agree that denser
Josephine daSouza Oak BluffsI agree that denser development of affordable housing MUST be undertaken to really address the problem. But maybe the extra acreage is largely unbuildable anyway. The article as usual lacks depth. Is this affordable rental housing or affordable owner occupied housing? Is there permanent affordability restriction? Will tenants be required to annually prove they meet the affordability requirements? Or is this like that Edgartown giveaway of half acre lots for $75000 each to folks who already received affordability subsidies with any restriction evaporating after 10 years? Ridiculous!
Building is limited based on
jimmy powell oak bluffsBuilding is limited based on geography and largely septic system capacity. Lots shouldn't be smaller than 2.2 Acres in Aquinnah in my opinion. If you don't know the specifics of the land, don't whine about. Affordable housing takes time. Step by Step. Don't get me wrong, you are right, we need more affordable houses on MV.
Though this is a 6 acre lot,
Derrill Bazzy AquinnahThough this is a 6 acre lot, over 4 acres of the lot is wetland. Through creative planning and the support of Aquinnah's permitting bodies, we were able to fit two houses with a shared septic, well, and driveway and still meet minimum setbacks. Aquinnah is clear in its priorities to encourage both affordable housing and conservation as appropriate for each and every parcel, as is the IHT. So there's no joke here, just a lot of hard work and creative solutions.
Thank you for your service Mr
Robert O. Chilmark/Gay HeadThank you for your service Mr. Bazzy. In his post, the truth has been typed.
The comment indicating the
Diane NJThe comment indicating the importance "to develop in the proper way" is slightly ironic when juxtaposed against the casino debate.
what?
Robwhat?
Most people from Aquinnah dont want the casino. Also, not all tribals members are for the casino.
If they installed one main
charlie callahan so boston/edgartownIf they installed one main septic system for all the houses combined, they could put 26 houses on 10,000 sq ft lots instead of two on 3 acre lots. Three acre lots aren't usually issued for affordable housing, the people who deserve some help aren't going to complain. I hope everyone who needs one can get one. These are our teachers,cops,firemen,tradesmen,clerks nurses etc etc, people who DO REAL WORK for their pay and don't make 6 figures for doing nothing
These comments make it clear;
RobThese comments make it clear; there are lots of misinformed but highly opinionated people when it comes to Affordable Housing.
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