Another builder is pitching two potential large scale housing developments for Tiverton that if built out would bring either 255 housing units or more than 100 age-restricted manufactured homes to a 76-acre stretch of land off Fish Road.

Representatives from Hingham, Ma. developer Falconeiri Construction appeared before the Tiverton Planning Board last Tuesday to informally pitch two concept plans for the land, located at 1101 Fish Road. The rectangular property is bounded to the west and north by Route 24, to the east at Fish Road, and to the south by a wooded area surrounding Rim Rock Road. Sin and Flesh Brook runs through the heart of the proposed development area.

Comprehensive permits

The first concept plan, “Fish Road Village,” would total 255 units, 64 of which would be deed-restricted affordable housing, including five multi-family apartment buildings comprised of 51 units each.

“There would be a deed restriction in place for at least 30 years that would make sure that these units went to families making between $80,000 and $120,000,” attorney Matthew Landry said.

A second proposal would see the development of 103 manufactured homes age-restricted to those aged 55 and over, with 26 units designated as affordable.

Both concepts would be built under the state’s Low and Moderate Income and Housing Act and would be presented as comprehensive permit applications. Such permits are a streamlined development tool allowed under the state’s Low and Moderate Income and Housing Act. In towns like Tiverton, where less than 10 percent of the housing stock is deed-restricted as “affordable,” comprehensive permits allow developers to side-step some zoning and other local requirements if they set aside at least 25 percent of their planned units for those of low to moderate income.

Landry acknowledged that the potential developments would be in wetland areas, and a potential wetland crossing could be a concern if the development gets to preliminary hearings.

Early take

Planning board chairman Bill Gerlach said that he would likely have more feedback as conversations continue; however, his immediate concerns are water and traffic.

“We look at these proposals in isolation, but it's really, really important that we're considering the aggregate here along with everything else,” Gerlach said, adding that adding 100 to 200 new housing units to Fish Road could impact traffic, especially considering several other developments currently being proposed in town. He also expressed concern about wetlands on the property.

Board member Stuart Hardy brought up the area’s terrain, saying that it is rather uneven and steep in places, and wondered how much work would need to be done to get housing onto the site. Fellow board member Rosemary Eva also expressed concerns about the terrain.

Project engineer Tony Morrow said that more data needs to be collected before a definitive answer can be given, but agreed that the terrain in the area is challenging.

According to GIS maps, the lots that make up the proposed development area are owned by South Fork Trust, in care of John Hasenjaeger.

Five other projects

In addition to this potential Fish Road development, five other projects that together comprise 737 new housing units are currently under review by the Tiverton Planning Board. They include:

• The Pocasset Reserve Development, also known as Tiverton Heights, at 787 Fish Road. Proposed by Harking Homes LLC, the development would include 275 housing units, 69 of which would be designated as affordable.

• The Sunset Ridge Development, 439 Main Road. Proposed by JML Excavation Inc., the development would include eight townhouses, two of which would be designated affordable. The project has been given conditional approval by the planning board, but plans for final approval have not yet been submitted.

• The Vital at Tiverton Commons, Souza Road. Proposed by BCP Properties LLC, the development would include 256 units, 64 of which would be designated as affordable. The proposal also includes a neighborhood daycare facility, a dog spa and a resort-style clubhouse.

• Friendship Farm, Stafford Road. Proposed by Tiverton Investments, the development would include 155 units, approximately 39 of which would be designated as affordable.

• The Souza Road Condominiums, Souza Road. This development would consist of 43 units, 11 of which would be designated as affordable.