Selectmen back developer’s proposal for Littleton Drive housing complex

Dec 1, 2020

A proposed 93-unit housing development at Littleton Drive — which will offer 44 units of affordable housing for seniors age 62+ — received support from the Board of Selectmen at their Dec. 1 meeting.

The board voted to issue a letter of support for the Littleton Drive complex, proposed by the development company Pennrose. The decision to back the development was nearly unanimous, with the exception of Selectman Jim Munise who voted “present.”

Charlie Adams, the regional vice president of Pennrose, presented plans for the housing development. It would include 44 affordable one-bedroom senior units and 49 non-age restricted rental units (one, two and three bedroom) for families and people in the workforce.

Many of the non-age restricted units would also be affordable housing for those below a certain income level, but some would be at or near market price. Once units are available, Wareham residents would receive some level of priority access, Adams said.

Adams said Pennrose had a number of priorities when planning. He said, among other considerations, those priorities included: working with the town toward something beneficial; maintaining 82 percent open space; providing a clubhouse with a fitness center and community room; providing an additional senior building community room; and creating central green space, a community garden and a playground for children.

While some at the meeting expressed disappointment that the entire development would not be affordable senior housing, the Selectmen seemed largely pleased with Pennrose’s plans.

In January, Pennrose plans to apply for low-income housing tax credits from the state, Adams said.

Correction: This story has been corrected to reflect that Selectman Jim Munise voted present. A previous version of this story indicated it was Selectman Patrick Tropeano.