Glenbrook Neighbors Say 'Nay' to Proposed 290-Unit Apartment Complex [Poll]

"Thanks, but no thanks," was the resounding sentiment of residents in the Glenbrook neighborhood toward a proposed 290-unit apartment complex of one- and two-bedroom units. Everyone from that neighborhood who spoke at a public hearing on Monday, Sept. 26 in chambers was opposed to the project.

The Marlborough/Northborough Land Realty Trust, an affiliated partner with Gutierrez Company of Burlington, owners of the property, needs a special permit (8 votes of 11 required) to build the project.

Gutierrez owns the land for the apartments and most of the former MetLife property off Rt. 20.

The proposal calls for the five buildings that would be five stories tall and a clubhouse to be built on the hillside off Rt. 20. The main road access to the complex would be off Rt. 20, opposite the RK Plaza near the present Bank of America building.

Marlborough-based attorney Arthur Bergeron, representing the developer, said there would be no road access from the property to Glen St., and practically no traffic impact for that area.

Bergeron said he spoke to dozens of residents in the area. Those who lived closest to the project were against it, but there were some supporters, who were resigned to take "the lesser of two evils," if they had a choice, he said.

"But there is no doubt that you will be able to see the buildings," he added.

For those who spoke at the public hearing, simply envisioning the complex over their collective shoulders was not a welcome thought.

Despite the developer's willingness to fix a long-standing flooding problem in one section of the Glenbrook area that affects Ripley Ave., Hurley Circle, Conrad Road and Glen St., at a cost of $1.8 million, residents did not want to hear about it -- unless the company first fixed the problem.

Residents who spoke also pressed the developer to conduct a comprehensive environmental impact report before any approval is granted by the City Council.

Bergeron said that type of study could be done as an order of conditions and the developer would be willing to do that.

But fixing the flooding problem in one area would not solve other flood-prone areas within the Glenbrook area. Bergeron said this was the best chance to at least fix this one problem area. "If it's not done with this project, it will never get done," he added.

For the owner of the land, it's a matter of getting something out of its property. Two other development proposals in Marlborough have since stalled the economy turned sour on housing. Apartments seem to be the only viable alternative at this time compared to single-family construction or commercial construction, Bergeron said.

Bergeron estimated, based on $110,000 assessed valuation of each apartment, that the city would likely realize more than $444,000 in annual tax revenue from the project.

Some city councilors including Ward 2 Councilor Paul Ferro and Ward 1 Councilor Joseph F. Delano Jr., questioned whether housing is the best use for that land.

Ward 3 Councilor Matt Elder, who lives in the area, was more definitive. He said he was opposed to the project.

He added that both the police and fire departments said that apartments generate more calls than other types of housing units.

Beverly Brose, 50 Teller St., said the project would also place a burden on public safety issues. "We just closed a fire station but now we're adding 290 housing units," she said.

Ron Bucchino, 88 Glen St., said the city should have been helping the Glenbrook area with its flooding issues in the past.

He also said there would likely be many more issues with this project, such as light and noise pollution, as well as the addition of more vehicles into the area. "If we lose our water supply, we'll be at the mercy of the Mass. Water Resources Assn., and we'll be paying whatever they tell us."

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