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[The Autumn Hill project goes before the Planning Board again on Monday, Mar. 24]
To the Editor:
I have read the letter to the editor from Bruce Hunchard who is denying he has anything to do with the proposed Autumn Hill Senior Living Development. I have had many conversations with Tim Jones and he never left Bruce Hunchard out of the equation.
As you can see from the picture of the plans I attached, both Bruce Hunchard and Timothy Jones are listed as the owners on the plans. [See above]
It was 2017 that Bruce Hunchard went in front of the town council to rezone his 10 acres of property which sits directly in front of my home. He requested to rezone this property so he could build a cluster home development similar to what was built on the Franklin Country Club driving range on Rte. 140.
The residents on Summer Street and the off streets fought hard and we won not to have this property rezoned.
Now seven years later, Bruce Hunchard is at it again. This time calling it a senior living development. This is simply a disguise to build the homes he initially tried to build. Who builds senior living condominiums that are two levels, 3 bedrooms, full basement and a garage and a hefty price tag of $850,000 to $900,000 per unit. THIS IS A DISGRACE AND BRUCE HUNCHARD IS INVOLVED NO MATTER WHAT HE SAYS.
Let's not forget that Bruce Hunchard is the chairperson of the zoning board who determines land use and zoning issues [see actual statement on the role and powers of the ZBA here.] and all the Franklin residents (450 of whom signed a petition against this senior living) are against this. Everyone, feels this is a HUGE conflict of interest.
I contacted over 10 senior living developments in the town of Franklin recently and they all have availability. Also, a senior development on Chestnut Street has been approved and has not even broken ground yet. THERE IS NO NEED!!!
There is a 1600 age- restricted housing unit that is being proposed on 300 acres which is known as New England Country Club. There is NO critical need to build this development on Summer Street which is a rural residentially zoned area and it needs to be SHUT down.
These meetings have gone on long enough. NO ONE WANTS THIS!!! Allowing it would be unfair and unjust, dramatically changing the rural residential neighborhood for the benefit of two people.
Thank you.
[Received from Sally Winters, signed as "The Residents of Summer Street, Birch Street, Florence Street, Woodchester, Summer Heights, Shawkemo and Squibnocket, Penny Lane, Rod and Gun Club and Camp Haiastan and King Street."]
