McLean Hospital reached out to the Planning and Land Use Department and requested a meeting to give a summary of their proposal and to discuss the process. Many applicant's first meet staff to discuss projects to have a better understanding of the permitting process. McLean Hospital went through a similar process in the Town when they put a facility at 5 Old Cambridge Turnpike in 2010.

 

Staff asked that McLean put their proposal in writing so that Town Counsel could review and give an opinion on whether or not McLean Hospital is protected under State Law Chapter 40A Section 3 (Dover Amendment) and determine the process.  Certain use types are protected under this law (non profits, educational uses, agriculture, day cares, churches etc..).

 

Next steps: The Planning Board will conduct a "Determination of Minor Change to an approved Site Plan". This property has already gone through a site plan review so the board will determine at this meeting whether or not it is a minor change (outside expansions). If the Board feels it is not a minor change they will require the applicant to come in for a Site Plan Review. Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:45 PM    DETERMINATION OF MINOR CHANGE, Section 17 Site Plan Review:  McLean, 22 Bypass Road, Parcel 109-16-0.  Determination of Minor Change for changes to an approved site plan.  Vote expected

 

Summary:

McLean Hospital is a mental health treatment & education facility affiliated with Harvard Medical School is interested in operating a small nine bed educational therapeutic residence located at 16 and 22 Bypass Road. The hospital currently operates a similar residential program at 5 Old Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln. This would serve a maximum of 12 clients ages 15-21 that would live in a home environment and participate in a structured, closely supervised educational therapeutic program. The residence would operate under 24 hours 7 days a week. Staff would work in 8-hour shifts with 2 overnight staff. A total of 13 jobs will be created.

 

Currently McLean is conducting due diligence with an anticipated closing date of May 31, 2016.

 

Next steps:

• McLean Hospital provided a letter to the Building Inspector and Planning Director summarizing the proposed use.

• Will reach out to the Board of Health regarding septic.

• Will reach out to the water department to discuss water.

• Police/Fire/Ambulance: They indicated that their clients are healthy and do not foresee any impacts on emergency services. They would utilize a private ambulance service and only use 911 for extreme emergencies.

• They would hold a neighborhood meeting on Wednesday May 18th, 2016 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm at 22 Bypass Road.

• Anticipated opening date in September 2016.

• Town Counsel provided legal opinion regarding the proposed use under M.G.L. c.40A, s.3 (known as the Dover Amendment to the Zoning Act).

• The Planning Board will conduct a “Determination of Minor Change to an approved Site Plan”. The Board will determine at this meeting whether or not it is a minor change. If they determine the change is major they will schedule a public hearing. Tuesday, May 24, 2016 at 7:45 PM    DETERMINATION OF MINOR CHANGE, Section 17 Site Plan Review:  McLean, 22 Bypass Road, Parcel 109-16-0.  Determination of Minor Change for changes to an approved site plan.  Vote expected. The Board voted that the change was a Major Change. Please check back for future meeting dates.

 

Please check back for updates.