Groton Open Space Association

UPDATED: IWA To Reach “Mystic Woods” Decision Oct. 25

GROTON — The Inland Wetlands Agency will consider a slightly slimmed down and redesigned “Mystic Woods” Active Senior Housing development on Fort Hill at the IWA meeting Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006.

UPDATE: The IWA closed the public hearings on the project Oct. 11 and is expected to reach a decision at its next meeting Oct. 25. Story to follow.

The would-be developer, Hawthorne Development Partners LLC, of Woburn, MA, submitted a revised plan to the town Sept. 26. The original plan, for 241 units in a 105-acre tract containing 11 wetlands, aroused intense opposition from neighbors, downstream residents of Mumford Cove and GOSA, among others.

The revised plan proposes 219 units, down 22 units, or 9%, from the original plan. Opponents of the project have been studying the revised plans and will present their findings at the meeting.

Opponents have contended that the project represents an overly intense use of the land and would destroy wildlife, promote flooding, ruin wetlands, and harm the quality Fort Hill Brook, which flows through the tract into Mumford Cove. The project, which would sit between Flanders Road on the east and Route 1 on the west, also would have the potential to create heavy new flows of traffic out of the development onto Route 1.