Domenic Afonso plans to apply for a comprehensive permit to build the project under the state's affordable housing law. According to the law, Chapter 40B, if a project has 25% affordable housing in a municipality that has less than 10% of its housing affordable the developer can bypass local zoning laws to get the project built.
Larry Dunkin, Milford's planner, tells GlobeSt.com that Afonso has applied to the state for site approval, the first step in the 40B process. The next step, he says, is that the developer will file a comprehensive permit application with Milford's zoning board.
Dunkin notes that across the street from this parcel, which Afonso bought three years ago, is a residential development also built by Afonso. "The town isn't opposed to affordable housing if it is located in an appropriate place," says Dunkin. "But an industrial park doesn't seem compatible."
A town can appeal an affordable housing project to the state because of public safety or environmental issues, but it is rare that a project is denied.
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