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MAPS: A before and after look

July 26, 2005: Air base plans get the final approval votes
June 28, 2005: Rockland approves air base plan
June 21, 2005: Abington approves air base plan
May 6 , 2005: Air base plan gets nod: 90-day clock running for Weymouth, Rockland and Abington
March 5, 2005: New plan calls for 54% more commercial space, boost in jobs
Feb. 2, 2005: Regional panels praise plan for reuse of air base
Jan. 26, 2005: Navy tells towns to come up with air base redevelopment plan by summer
Jan. 11, 2005: The air base plan may be less of a moneymaker than towns anticipated.
Oct. 15, 2004: EPA official finds Lennar reuse plan to be 'better for air and water quality
Oct. 1, 2004: Chairman of Tri-town Board quits, then changes his mind
Sept. 29, 2004: Executive director of Board agrees contract buyout.

TIMELINE: A look at the Tri-Town Board.

Sept. 28, 2004: Tri-Town won’t hire consultant to review plan
Sept. 25, 2004: Editorial.

Sept. 24, 2004
Air base plan: Lots of housing
MAPS: A before and after look
Graphic shows division of space
Villages to be created
Growth projected by 2017
Projected tax revenues

Biotechnology: Plan emphasizes jobs
Projected benefits for Weymouth, Abington, Rockland
Impact on roads, traffic, water, sewer, open space
New homes building schedule

Some fear plan will overburden schools
Plan puts end to rumors

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Feb. 2, 2005

Regional panels praise plan for reuse of air base

By MARK FONTECCHIO
The Patriot Ledger

The proposal to redevelop the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station has received overall good grades from two regional planning agencies.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Old Colony Planning Council have released the final version of their analysis. The 328-page document is a comprehensive look at the proposal by the developer, Lennar Partners, that wants to turn the base, in Weymouth, Rockland and Abington, into a residential and commercial area with 2,855 houses and condos and 2,533 jobs.

“Conceptually it is a good plan,” Old Colony Executive Director Pat Ciaramella said. “The overall plan seems to be a workable one.”

The review breaks down and critiques the plan from nine angles: so-called smart growth, zoning, fiscal impact, housing, economic development, open space, transportation, water resources and utilities.

The review was financed with grants secured by the South Shore Tri-Town Development Corp. and a donation from Lennar. Tri-Town is the agency overseeing the base conversion.

The three towns are expected to use information from this and other reviews to determine whether they want the master plan, or something close to it, to pass. Votes are expected this spring.

“This is one of the most important projects that has been proposed in the Greater Boston area in decades,” Metropolitan Area Planning Council Executive Director Marc Draisen said.

Highlights of the review:

Fiscal effects

• The project will give the three towns $6.4 million to $7.2 million after subtracting municipal and school costs.
• It will bring in 659 to 711 schoolchildren, and an elementary school on site would be a good idea.
• If state legislation about smart growth passes and the towns adopt it for this project, they could qualify for a one-time payment of $600,000 plus $3,000 for every housing unit.

Economic Development

• The developer should market its plan to technology-based industries in addition to biotech.
• It should make zoning and getting permits easier for tech industries to plant roots.

Housing

• The plan “proposes a substantial amount of much-needed new housing.”
• The development should have more rental units, first-time homebuyer opportunities and some larger affordable condos and houses.

Transportation

• Auto trips to and from the base are likely to increase by between 2,000 and 3,475 vehicles in the morning peak hours and between 2,940 and 4,630 vehicles in the evening peak hours.
• Union Street should be reconnected through the base between Weymouth and Rockland.
• Expanded commuter rail service will likely be needed.

Water Resources

• The project will require between 1 million and 1.3 million gallons a day.
• Getting water from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority will require jumping several hurdles, including securing permits and costs.

Mark Fontecchio may be reached by clicking here.