Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 40B– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Comprehensive_Permit_Act:_Chapter_40B— is a statutory scam allowing rapacious developers to override local Zoning By-Laws in municipalities not deemed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to have at least 10% of their housing stock classified as ‘affordable,’ Sterling being one of those municipalities. Rapacious developers use Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 40B to ram through large multi-unit developments so long as 25% of units within each project are considered ‘affordable’ under the Commonwealth’s lax criteria. All other units in the project can then be ‘high end’ ones selling or renting for a premium. I have utter contempt for Ch. 40B, for Ch. 40B scam developments, and for rapacious Ch. 40B scam artist developers.
Here in Sterling “Northgate Meadows” off Leominster Road near the City of Leominster line is the most controversial, notorious Ch. 40B scam, with 2-bedroom apartments renting for up to $2600 per month– https://www.apartments.com/northgate-meadows-sterling-ma/fe74lsv/
The Ch. 40B “Comprehensive Permit” for “Northgate Meadows,” issued by the Sterling Zoning Board of Appeals a/k/a The Developers’ Doormat, has been modified at the request of the rapacious developer in question several times over the years, the latest version being issued in January 2021, permitting 216 apartments so long as 25% of them qualify as being ‘affordable’ under Massachusetts’ weak parameters. SEE https://www.sterling-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1266/f/pages/northgate_meadows_-_stamped_decision_1-12-2021_-_216_rental_units.pdf
As you can see from the “Comprehensive Permit” provisions, the residents of “Northgate Meadows” are sucking down Sterling’s precious municipal groundwater supplies while the Town of Sterling scrambles to acquire another much-needed municipal well-field.
“Northgate Meadows” was built by Northgate Meadows, LLC/ James S. Whitney of Leominster. James S. Whitney’s primary development corporation is J. Whitney Development, Inc. You can search the Massachusetts corporations database for both “Northgate Meadows, LLC” and “J. Whitney Development, Inc.” here– https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx
It is fascinating to note that J. Whitney Development, Inc. is not Better Business Bureau accredited— https://www.bbb.org/us/ma/leominster/profile/real-estate/j-whitney-development-inc-0261-204759
ALAS, having been granted multiple Ch. 40B “Comprehensive Permit” modifications by the Sterling Zoning Board of Appeals a/k/a The Developers’ Doormat over the years, and while charging $2600 per month rent for 2-bedroom apartments at “Northgate Meadows,” the rapacious J. Whitney Development, Inc./James S. Whitney has now petitioned the Sterling Zoning Board of Appeals a/k/a The Developers’ Doormat for yet ANOTHER modification—THIS TIME TO WAIVE/ELIMINATE BUILDING PERMIT FEES PAYABLE TO THE TOWN OF STERLING! The hearing on that request is scheduled for 12 July 2022 — https://www.sterling-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1266/f/events/stamped_legal_ad_-_northgate_meadows_7-12-2022.pdf
Here is the Town of Sterling Building Permit Fee Schedule– https://www.sterling-ma.gov/building-department/pages/building-permits-fee-schedule-epermitting
Do you think YOU could get a Building Permit Fee Waiver for replacing some windows or re—roofing your house??? ANSWER: NOT ON YOUR LIFE!
Get out your popcorn, attend this 12 July 2022 Sterling Zoning Board of Appeals a/k/a The Developers’ Doormat hearing, and watch those ZBA ASSCLOWNS roll over for a rapacious profiteer at your expense.
UPDATE, 5 JULY 2022: Check out the Select Board’s Agenda for its 6 July 2022 Meeting, “Consider Building Permit fee for Northgate” —https://www.sterling-ma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif1266/f/agendas/2022_7_6_agenda.pdf
Select Board members Maureen “Our Lady of Perpetual Bullsh*t” Cranson and John “Bent Buffoon” Kilcoyne never met a property developer for whom they wouldn’t prostitute themselves and the Town of Sterling, so watch them reduce the Town’s Building Permit Fees just for the “Northgate Meadows” developer.
J.G.
STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS, OVERWATCH 