Development in the Gordon Woods

To the Editor,

The proposal to build 285 apartments on the Gordon College property off Pine Street may be the most consequential planning decision Manchester has faced in many years, and many do not know about it.

My impression is that residents still do not appreciate the scale of what is being proposed or the lasting impact it could have on our community.  The purpose of this letter is to raise awareness of this proposal amongst the residents of Manchester by the Sea.

This is not about opposing housing.  We all recognize that there is a need for additional and affordable homes.  Rather, it is about asking whether such a large-scale development of 285 apartments is appropriate for Manchester-by-the-Sea, appropriate for this location in Manchester by the Sea as well as whether the long-term consequences have been fully considered.

The presentation put together by Jefferson Apartment Group and presented at the town meeting in August raised a number of serious questions that deserve clear answers before any decisions are made. 

The key concern relates to the availability of water to support a development of this size, without adversely impacting the already precarious water supply of Manchester by the Sea.  Water resources are becoming increasingly precious and it is not clear that there is sufficient water supply to support a development of this size. 

Further worries are traffic and congestion leading to increased pollution concerns as well as the destruction of protected wetlands and conservation lands.  Is the destruction of these protected lands justified in the quest for further housing?  Before moving forward, the community deserves a transparent assessment of whether existing infrastructure can support hundreds of additional households without compromising the quality of life of current residents and thinking ahead to the sustainable future of the town.

If a development of this density is considered appropriate on this site, what precedent does it set for unlimited access to Manchester's water resources as well as other undeveloped or protected land in the future?  Decisions like this shape the character of Manchester for generations.

Whether your readers ultimately support or oppose the proposal, now is the time to become informed and involved.  We would like to ask The Cricket to continue reporting on this and ask the readers and community of MBTS to attend public meetings, review the plans, ask difficult questions, and ensure that concerns about water supply, traffic, environmental impacts, conservation, public services, and infrastructure are fully addressed before irreversible decisions are made.

Every resident of Manchester-by-the-Sea has a stake in these key decisions.

I hope The Cricket will continue to provide thorough coverage of this proposal and encourage robust public discussion.  These decisions deserve the widest possible public engagement before any further steps are taken.

Sincerely,

Anne Schennum 

Manchester