BERLIN – Town officials took the first step toward the annexation of nearly 91 acres of proposed residential property on Seahawk Road this week.
The Berlin Mayor and Council introduced a resolution Monday to annex 90.5 acres on Seahawk Road into the town. The land, which sits behind the former Harley Davidson store, has been discussed as a potential affordable housing site for years.
“There’s a growing demand for this kind of housing,” Mayor Gee Williams said. “We’ve invested a lot in infrastructure so we can entertain this.”
The project, as outlined in the annexation agreement, would consist of 144 apartment units. The owner is listed as 9828 Seahawk Road LLC.
The site proposed for the apartments has been designated for commercial use on Worcester County’s Comprehensive Land Use Map but is currently zoned A-1. It is designated as a growth area within Berlin’s comprehensive plan however, and is expected to be zoned R-4. That will have to be approved by county officials before the annexation moves forward, according to Berlin Planning Director Dave Engelhart.
Williams said that though the project had been discussed as far back as when Tom Cardinale was mayor, it was now possible because of the town’s infrastructure improvements — namely the town’s new $24 million wastewater treatment plant.
“Things have come a long way,” Williams said. “There are a number of good quality firms and developers that, because of all of the attention that’s come to Berlin, are seriously considering making investments in our community.”
As he has before, Williams said there was no question that the town was going to grow.
“We’ve got to make a decision on how we’re going to grow not if we’re going to grow,” he said. “We’re not talking a theoretical possibility of development we’re talking about an actual proposal.”
Williams added that since the Seahawk Road development was moving ahead just as the town began its strategic planning, it could be taken into account.
“The two processes will be running concurrently,” he said. “That, I think, will be a great benefit to all of us.”
The next step in the annexation process is a public hearing, which will take place after the proposed annexation is sufficiently advertised. After the public hearing, the council will vote on the annexation.