Two important pieces of the puzzle of a 24-unit elder housing development proposed for downtown Jaffrey fit into place this week.
In separate meetings, the Select Board voted to submit an application for a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant to support the construction of the proposed development, and the Planning Board agreed to a minor subdivision that carves off a piece of the parking lot of the former St. Patrick School, where the development is proposed.
The proposal would take a little under two acres from the St. Patrick property, and where the current parking lot sits, create a three-story apartment complex for residents.
The development, designed to house residents over the age of 62 with low or moderate income, is being developed by Southwestern Community Services.
Jaffrey has the ability to apply for a certain amount of Communty Development Block Grants related to housing per year. On Monday, the Select Board approved an application for $500,000 – the highest amount allowed for Jaffrey – that if awarded, would be used to subsidize the purchase price of the property – about $200,000 – and the start of construction of the building.
The grant is competitive and the town will not know whether it has been awarded for some months. If Southwestern Community Services is not able to utilize this grant, or one of its other major funding sources falls through, it may delay the project – if the town approves it – by up to a year.
Keith Thibault of Southwestern Community Services, who was present at both meetings to present the project, explained that in New Hampshire, there is a growing need for accessible elderly housing. Though a three-story building, the complex would be fully accessible with an elevator and designed to allow people to “age in place” within the apartments there.
Most of the residents at the meetings spoke in favor of the idea of having elderly housing available in Jaffrey, though some expressed qualms at the location.
“I think this is an important project coming to Jaffrey at a time when we have some other important projects coming down the pipeline,” said Melanie McDonald, executive director of TEAM Jaffrey.
“I think this project is good for the town, as long as they go through the proper channels of approval,” said resident Randy Christmas.
Resident Ruth Webber expressed concerns that the building would not fit in the neighborhood, and a three-story apartment would dwarf the still-existing St. Patrick School and other neighboring residences.
“There’s definitely a need for it. But maybe just not there,” said Webber.
But Owen Houghton, representing the United Church of Jaffrey, said that the location was ideal for any residents who might move into the building – within walking distance of the church, food pantry, library, Civic Center, the eventual Park Theatre and downtown. Church leadership had already taken a vote to unanimously express their support for the potential development, Houghton told the Planning Board.
“It’s such a good location,” said Houghton.
Thibault agreed, saying that Southwestern Community Services will be acquiring funding sources from a variety of organizations, many of whom like to see these kinds of developments in a Main Street or revitalization-type zone.
Before approving the subdivision to cut away a piece of the St. Patrick property that the housing unit would be built on, the Planning Board expressed some concern that doing so would make the eventual sale of the school building and the remaining property – which includes multiple undeveloped acres – more difficult. However, ultimately, the board decided that was not a judgment that could be proven or used to deny the request to subdivide the property.
Houghton added that he has been looking at school buildings that have been repurposed for things like community centers, and believes that some similar use of the existing building is very possible.
Planning Board member Shirley Despres also pointed out that while many people only see the school on the road front, there is a large amount of undeveloped land still associated with the St. Patrick school property that could be developed in a number of different ways.
The Planning Board did begin its deliberation on the Site Plan Review for the proposed development, but eventually continued the hearing, requiring several additional pieces of information from the applicant before making a decision. Among those additional pieces requested was a replicated drawing of the building in relation to its neighbors, as well as calculations for a drainage system, detailed elevations of the building facade, and a storm drain and snow removal plan.
The Select Board agreed unanimously to apply for the Community Block Grant. The Planning Board agreed 6-1 to approve the subdivision of the former St. Patrick School property. The Site Plan Review of the the proposed housing development was continued until Aug. 9.