What to expect from future Waterford Woods apartments
Waterford — The same developers of Waterford Parc, an apartment complex on 22 Miner Lane, are working to construct Waterford Woods, a multifamily residential development on two parcels of land at 384 and 394 Willetts Ave., a total of 26.6 acres.
When construction is complete, the development will consist of three apartment buildings with a total of 98 units, a mixture of 58 one-bedroom and 40 two-bedroom dwelling units. Ten units will be deemed affordable, or within the range of households earning 80% or less of the area's median income.
Kevin Daley, the manager for the development, said Waterford Parc has done "very well" and the developers saw the need for another apartment complex in town.
On Dec. 14, the developers of Waterford Woods were granted a permit from the Planning and Zoning Commission, with conditions, for site plan modifications to include a clubhouse and pool at the rear of the property. Access to the amenities will be through the extension of an approved driveway.
The clubhouse is to serve the future residents with indoor fitness, lounge areas, game rooms and office areas. There will also be an outdoor pool and lounge patio adjacent to the clubhouse. Other outdoor recreation includes a dog park, community spaces and open space play areas.
"It's going to set a whole new bar for apartments," Daley said. "It's high level of designs working with nature."
The clubhouse has been designed to fit in with the natural and manmade landscape of the southwest portion of the site, called "The Preserve," such as incorporating stone siding and exposed timber elements and tall glass windows. Daley said the team will work to best preserve the trees and historical quarry in that area, including two grand oak trees.
He added that they also are hoping to implement energy-efficient measures such as electric car chargers and solar panel work, but much of that is yet to be determined.
Although the developers were granted approval for the clubhouse, its construction still faces minor hurdles.
The parcel of land where the clubhouse will be includes a designated special flood area zone A by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Town Planner Mark Wujtewicz said the developers are requesting an amendment to the boundary of the flood hazard area. The request is still under review by FEMA.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the permit for the clubhouse on the basis that if the request to FEMA is not approved, then required documentation shall be submitted by the project's architect verifying that the clubhouse will be elevated and/or the building will be flood-proofed in accordance with FEMA requirements and zoning regulations.
According to town documents, a traffic impact study was submitted as part of the original site plan application early this year and concluded that the proposed project would have minimal impact on the intersection of Willetts Avenue and Boston Post Road.
Since the clubhouse will be toward the back of the development, it is not expected to increase the number of vehicles entering or exiting the site, as it will be for the use of residents only.
Daley said he expects construction of the residential buildings and the clubhouse to be completed in fall of 2023.
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