Momentum
Save Chebacco Trails and Watershed (“SCT&W”) has had an extraordinary record of success in its efforts to stop destructive development of the unique and pristine 133 Essex Street site. We celebrate another major victory against (and another major setback to) Chebacco Hill Capital Partners’ (“CHCP”) continuing development efforts at the site. This makes five (possibly six) wins in a row as our momentum builds and CHCP options shrink.
To recap, CHCP applied for a Special Permit before the Hamilton Planning Board (“PB”) for a 50-unit luxury condo development at the 133 Essex St. site. SCT&W mounted and financially supported a major technical and legal opposition to the project before that Board. The PB ultimately and unanimously denied the project (the “Denial”). Win #1!
Teaming with other opponents to development on 133 Essex St., SCT&W was next able to temporarily halt consideration of CHCP’s reworked 40B-eligible construction plan for the same site. This second permit application was introduced before the Hamilton Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”). Win #2!
CHCP appealed the Win #2 “stop” decision to the State’s Affordable Housing agency, but that agency supported SCT&W’s legal arguments. CHCP’s 40B project application has therefore been delayed for at least 1.5 years after the date that CHCP withdraws its ongoing court appeal of the PB’s original Denial. Win #3!
As a result of the delay established via Win #3, CHCP has withdrawn its 40-B application before the ZBA. It seems unlikely that it will ever appear again. Win #4!
We have recently confirmed that CHCP has asked the court to terminate its appeal of the PB’s unanimous Denial of the original project. Win #5!
On July 18, 2024 , the judge dismissed with prejudice these agreements and ended any hope of reviving the original project plan. Win #6!
Despite these successes, it’s not “game over” … yet. Although CHCP has been soundly beaten on multiple occasions, there is no guarantee that it is prepared to pack up and head home. We hope for that decision but realize that we need to stay on top of this. Ongoing effort and diligence are necessary to:
monitor developments in 40B housing in Hamilton (which could impact any further 40B applications for 133 Essex from CHCP or others),
prepare for (and oppose) other development plans for the site, and
promote acquisition and final preservation of this ecologically-sensitive and recreationally-valuable pristine natural resource. We continue to develop and compile data and analyses to support these goals.
We thank you for your interest and, on the basis of our multiple successes thus far, ask for your continuing financial support. This has been a community effort with the strength of your voices playing a key role in all this success. In achieving these five wins (and we think, with more to come) we have and will likely incur significant debt which we need to resolve to ensure continued success and preservation of this land for all of us!
Contributions can be made via:
Credit card: Donate now
Checks can be mailed to:
Save Chebacco Trails & Watershed, Inc.
P.O. Box 2184
S. Hamilton, MA 01982
For Asset transfers, please contact: johnc@cole-co.com
