Granary cost/benefit analysis expected by November

A Milton committee is nearing the finish line for its review of the pros and cons of annexing 450 acres of land on Sand Hill Road that would pave the way for a proposed 1,350-unit development known as The Granary at Draper Farms.

The Special Review Committee has begun its cost/benefit analysis of the project, and Chair John Collier said his goal is to present that analysis to Milton Town Council by November.

The cost/benefit analysis is the culmination of the committee’s work, which will help inform the decision whether or not to recommend going forward with the annexation. The analysis weighs whether the costs for the town associated with the development, such as maintenance, police and fire protection, outweigh the benefits, which would be things like additional tax revenue, open space and pedestrian trails.

The Granary project would almost double the current size of Milton when completed. The development is expected to be built out over a 20-year period.

At the committee’s Sept. 27 meeting, the topic was water service to the development, which would be handled by the town. Public Works Director Greg Wingo said there would need to be coordination and a timeline established between the developer and the town to put in the needed water infrastructure. The Granary developer, Convergence Communities, has proposed a phased approach, with building planned for 10 phases, although that could be broken down further into sub-phases. Phase 1 proposes 193 homes to be built.

Collier said many of the details around installing water infrastructure would be worked out during the site-plan review process. Wingo estimated the town would need to hire four to five more employees and purchase four to five more pieces of equipment over the period of development. Convergence Communities has proposed dedicating 55 acres to the town as open park space, and Wingo estimated the town would need to hire two additional employees to maintain the parks, along with purchasing some equipment. 

The committee also discussed sidewalks, which would be built by the developer and maintained by the property owners. Convergence Communities has said the community would be governed by a homeowners association. The streets would be dedicated and maintained by the town; Collier said the town’s responsibility on streets extends from curb to curb.

Collier said at this point, nothing in the development is set in stone, as plans are conceptual. 

The committee will meet again at 2 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, at Milton library to continue discussing the cost/benefit analysis and hear final comments from Convergence Communities representatives.