TOWN OF NATICK Housing Production Plan

affordable age-restricted housing is very small for a variety of reasons, including the fact that
there is an asset limitation, so we do not recommend any affordable age-restricted
homeownership units. In addition, we note that there is a large and growing elderly
population, and there is a need for a product that provides a higher level of care such as
supported elderly housing or assisted living.
Constraints
According to an official at the Department of Public Works, there are few, if any, constraints to
development in terms of sewer and water. The Town currently is part of the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority (MWRA) sewer system and utilizes its own wells and treatment
plant for water. The DPW official also said that the road system should not be an impediment
to development.
Speaking with an official at a local non-profit organization, public transportation was identified
as a constraint to the ability of those who need affordable housing to effectively utilize any new
developments. This official mentioned that the local public transportation service, the MWRTA,
does not operate at hours that allow for those working at certain types of businesses, such as the
Natick Mall, to utilize public transportation, due to the inability to return home at night after 8
PM or at any time on Sundays.
Impacts on traffic and the ability to provide parking are a constraint with respect to the
development of new housing. Town staff indicated that transportation updates and
infrastructure maintenance are predicated on State funding. Without State funding, these
projects may be delayed or not undertaken, which inhibits development within the Town, and
may have an effect on any potential affordable housing within the Town.
In addition to these constraints, there are several specific locations in the town that have traffic
and parking issues of which many, if not all, are reliant upon State funding, and therefore
progress of these projects moves at the pace of the State. These locations include: the
intersection of Route 9/Oak Street, the intersection of Route 9/Route 27, and downtown Natick.
Funds from the State will be necessary to repair bridges, mitigate issues with traffic safety, and
finish projects that have been designed, but have not been undertaken.
Parking is also an issue in the Town, specifically in downtown Natick where there is a large
building that has been struggling to fill the upper levels due to a lack of parking in the
downtown area. If there were parking available, the owner would be able to fill upper stories
either with offices or residential units. During the interview, it was mentioned that state
priority development assistance would allow the Town to construct a parking garage that
would provide parking spaces for the downtown area, and allow more business to provide
parking for their employees, therefore possibly freeing up spaces for tenants.
14 | P a g e L D S C o n s u l t i n g G r o u p , L L C