GREENSBORO – An email message titled “Key Concerns Regarding Proposed Greensboro Redevelopment” was sent to an anonymous list of Greensboro residents October 31 from an organization calling itself Concerned Citizens of Greensboro.
“We’re a group of Greensboro residents who love our town and want to see it thrive. We believe that affordable housing is important, but we also want to preserve what makes Greensboro special,” they wrote.
The email message lists concerns that include preservation of the town hall and green, noting, “Residents believe the town hall and green are integral to the community’s identity and should be preserved. They are concerned about the Selectboard’s plans for redevelopment and the potential loss of these community assets.”
“Our town hall is a significant historic building and the town green is an integral part of our community. Once these assets are sold, they are gone forever. Let’s recognize how our town hall and green connect us as a vibrant community!”
After suggesting several inspirational websites to visit, it notes “Affordable Housing Needs: While acknowledging the need for affordable housing, residents are questioning the scale of the proposed 20-plus unit development. Suggesting a smaller scale of 8-12 units would better align with community needs.”
That suggested course identifies a path between the Save Town Hall Coalition, an organization opposing any development in the town hall as inappropriate and the Greensboro select board, working with RuralEdge on a redevelopment project planned to add 20 units of affordable housing in the building and a new addition.
Sharing from page 24 of the Greensboro Housing Needs Final Assessment 2019, the message continues, “The Needs Assessment indicates that Greensboro would benefit from” three to four units of rental housing for families earning less than 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) and an additional three to four units of one- and two-bedroom rental housing for renters earning between 60-120% of AMI.
In addition, the email message indicates the report suggests the need for one to two units of good quality ownership housing per year for the next several years affordable to households earning under 100 of AMI and costing no more than $175,000.
It then notes the need for four units of age-appropriate ownership housing for older seniors and offers questions to consider that include “How do we best add housing units to our community with a scale of units that meets the stated/poll reported need of 8-12 units, rather than the 20 units proposed for town hall that RE [RuralEdge] requires to attain its funding needs?”
Wastewater concerns are noted as an important community need, which might allow “Willey’s Store to serve hot food,” [ed. note; It currently does.] and potentially add a cafe where townspeople could meet and eat.”
It suggests other things a town wastewater system would offer, including “greater protection of Caspian lake and surrounding waterways by providing an alternative to some antiquated septic systems . . .” and create “an opportunity for renovation of old buildings in the village. (Accessory Dwelling Units, apartments or separate residences.)
The list of additional things a wastewater system might allow includes: “building additional houses or apartments on designated in-village properties . . .,” a “reduction in the cost of building in the village as a septic system would not be required for each residence” and the “potential for additional cafes and meeting spaces where neighbors can gather together and create a stronger community culture . . .”
Finally, it expresses concern over the lack of an impact study, saying, “There have been several requests made during this process for a community impact study. Ignoring this request with a project of this scale could have long term, irreparable damages to our infrastructure and surrounding areas.” A number of potential effects that an impact study might help understand follows.
The message concludes, “Let’s work together to find solutions that benefit everyone. Greensboro’s future is important to us all. Making sure a “convenience of the moment” doesn’t destroy the future of our downtown is essential. Thank you for your participation in this important mission.”
The Concerned Citizens of Greensboro organization has not responded to inquiries asking that it identify members or offer a spokesperson for an interview.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
