Purpose

The Concord Housing Development Corporation (CHDC) owns a 12.8 acre site known as the Junction Village property located at the end of Winthrop Street in West Concord. The site, formerly owned by the State, is designated to be used exclusively for affordable housing and open space purposes. A Comprehensive Permit has been approved for the development of an affordable assisted living facility on approximately half of the site in 2017. The CHDC is interested in having assistance from Concord residents and a public process for the planning and design of the remaining half of the site as public open space, and has asked the Town to appoint a Junction Village Open Space Task Force to assist in the planning and design of the open space.

Duties and Responsibilities 

The Junction Village Open Space Task Force shall work with the CHDC and with Town staff in the Department of Planning and Land Management and the Regional Housing Services Office to prepare an Open Space Master Plan. 

After reviewing relevant plans and reports, the Task Force will engage in a public planning process for the 6.68 acres of resource area identified in the comprehensive permit for conservation restriction as well as the 1.43 acres of open space identified as the ‘triangle’ or meadow area. The Plan shall consider the proposed location of a pedestrian sidewalk and path along the driveway to the facility and connection to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail across a meadow area. The Plan shall incorporate accessible and assessed trails for public use as well as defining areas for habitat protection and advancement. 

The Open Space Master Plan is expected to provide sufficient information to secure funding for design and construction, and for preparation of a Conservation Restriction.

Membership  

The Junction Village Open Space Task Force shall be appointed and charged by the Select Board. Members will be appointed for a one year term (to be extended for an additional six months if needed). The Task Force shall consist of five voting members, as follows: 

• One member from the West Concord Advisory Committee (recent or current);
• One member from the Natural Resources Commission (recent or current);
• One member from the Historical Commission (recent or current);
• One member from the Commission on Disability or Council on Aging (recent or current);
• One member at large. 

Members

All terms to expire April 30, 2021:

Carlene Hempel, Chair

Christa Collins

Sue Felshin

Harry Bartlett

Robert Hartman

Meetings

Meetings are currently being held via Zoom. Please check the agenda for meeting ID's and links.

Meeting Dates:

2/10 Public Forum has been cancelled. A regular public meeting will be held in its place.

Minutes and Agendas

Minutes and agendas can be found by clicking here.