Granary set to break ground in summer

After three years of hearings and presentations, the first phase of the Granary at Draper Farm development in Milton is about to become a reality. 

Phase 1 of the project will begin construction this summer and see the building of 175 residential units on the northwest corner of a 450-acre parcel on Sand HIll Road. All told, the Granary is planned to have 1,350 units developed over a 20-year period. 

The final hurdle prior to construction of the Granary was cleared April 1 when town council unanimously approved the Phase 1 site plans. 

Colby Cox, head of developer Convergence Communities, said, “I am very excited about getting The Granary off the ground this summer after years of thoughtful planning with a talented group of private and public officials. Everyone worked very hard and I believe we achieved our intent of creating a community that will add to, but most importantly, fit within the heart and soul of Milton. We are very excited about the next steps in seeing our combined vision come to life.”

The first phase of a planned 10-phase buildout will create the entrance to the development from Sand Hill Road, to be known as Draper Avenue. Off that main street will be four interior streets that will serve the bulk of the residential units. The land is zoned R-2 residential with a large-parcel development overlay, which will allow for some commercial elements including a small-batch brewery and a farmer’s market. The development will also include two clubhouses with pools, 55 acres of dedicated open space that will be given to the town, and an outdoor amphitheater. 

Plans for the 450-acre parcel off Sand Hill Road was first brought before the town in July 2021, with an application to annex the parcel into town. The annexation was given final approval in May 2022. The master plan for the project was approved in October 2022. Preliminary site-plan approval for Phase 1 came in August.