Article 25 passage was the right move

The recently concluded Town Meeting passed Article 25, which promotes development of multi-family housing near the Sudbury town line. The Select Board, Finance Committee, and Economic Development Committee opposed the article.

Their principal reason: the allowable building height and density “could

change the visual impact of develop-ment.” What is the visual impact of Route 20 that the Select Board seeks to protect?

These same boards have been warning us for well over a year that Wayland faces financial Armageddon if it does not generate a substantial increase in “new growth” — that is, additional property tax revenue such as from new construction and renovation.

Article 25 does just that by facilitating development of the Route 20 property.

Since the Select Board finds the Route 20 West Multifamily Housing Overlay Subdistrict unsatisfactory for development, where would it like to see the dense new growth it seeks and needs? In single-family zoned areas in Wayland?

The town also faces loss of its safe-harbor protection from Chapter 40B developers if it does not soon produce more affordable housing. Article 25 also addresses that need.

The Select Board’s “visual impact” opposition seems ludicrous in the face of Wayland’s very real and pressing financial and Chapter 40B problems. Wisely, Town Meeting rejected the opposition and adopted the requisite zoning to confront these twin problems.

George Harris