MONTAGUE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The town of Montague with Mass Housing Partnership have explored a mixed-use Village Center in Montague City at the former Farren Care site, which could accommodate over 100 units of mixed-income housing as well as offices, retail, and recreation spaces. The Planning Board will be meeting April 2nd to review the report, where public comments will be accepted before the Planning Board gives recommendations to the Selectboard for their April 22nd meeting.
The report includes a review of several village centers in neighboring communities such as the Mill District in Amherst and outlines three alternative development strategies to achieve a new village center in Montague. Option one would entail a development agreement with the property development purchaser. A second option would be to establish a Village Center Zoning Overlay District to “set the ground rules” for development. And another option would situate the town as the “Master Developer.”
From the Town of Montague:
The Town of Montague, in partnership with Mass Housing Partnership (MHP) and VHB, are exploring possible land uses, activities, connections, and redevelopment strategies for the former Farren Care Center site, located at 340 Montague City Road.
Through this planning process, various stakeholders and the broader community have identified community needs to guide the Town in preparing a vision and physical site planning concepts. As a complementary component to the study, a residential/commercial market feasibility analysis and redevelopment strategy have been provided.
The final report for this study & market analysis is now available! Click on this linkto access the report. Click on this link to check out the project page.
April 2 Planning Board review & comment: At its April 2, 2024 meeting starting at 6:30pm via Zoom, Planning Board members will review the report findings and recommendations and will provide feedback on what next steps the Town should take. After Board discussion, the chair will open it up for public comments. All are welcome!
Zoom login info: to join the Planning Board’s April 2 virtual meeting via computer, click here. To join the virtual meeting via telephone, dial (646) 931-3860, Meeting ID 815 9376 4717, Passcode 444035
April 22 Selectboard review & comment: At its April 22 meeting, Selectboard will have an opportunity to review the report and provide guidance on next steps.
For questions/comments, please contact Maureen Pollock, Town Planner at maureenp@montague-ma.gov or (413) 863-3200 x112