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Etkind said Temple members want to look at the list of concerns raised by local residents at the first neighborhood meeting held Dec. 16 and discuss them with representatives of Brockton-based Coffman Realty, which would develop the project if it is approved by the town.
Neighbors were vocal in their opposition to the preliminary plan announced at the first public meeting. The proposal calls for the existing Temple to be razed and for the construction of two retail buildings to be owned and managed by Coffman Realty: a 13,000-square-foot facility, possibly a pharmacy, and a 14,000-square-foot structure housing smaller retail tenants. No tenants have been identified at this time.
In addition, a new, smaller, energy-efficient Temple would be built. The two-story structure would total 15,000 square feet, which according to Etkind is about 7,000 square feet less than its current building. Under the current plan, the Temple would pay rent to the landowners.
The project would result in an estimated annual tax revenue of $150,000 to $250,000 for the town, according to those familiar with the plan, although they could not say how much money the actual sale of the property would bring.
Various town approvals would be required before the project could take place. Keys to the plan include the creation of a special overlay-zoning district to allow the side-by-side religious and commercial uses at the site, which is currently zoned Residential C, as well as approval at next year’s annual Town Meeting and a four-fifths vote of the Planning Board.
During the Dec. 16 meeting, Selectman John Shields, who was part of the audience, urged residents to attend Town Meeting if they want their voices to be heard. He also said neighbors shouldn’t rush to judgment on the project.
“It’s too early for everybody to say no, and it’s too early for everybody to say yes,” said Shields.
Etkind emphasized to the audience that the plans are not set in stone and that the development team wants to work with residents to create something that fits in with the neighborhood. He also outlined Temple Shalom’s four main goals: to remain in Milton; to create a new, smaller, energy-efficient building for its congregation; to create an endowment that would allow the Temple to continue to offer various services, including a full-time rabbi; and to continue to be a good neighbor.
“We believe we’ve been a good neighbor … but we can no longer afford to sustain this current building,” said Etkind, who noted that the congregation has dwindled in size over the years despite a recent increase in membership.
But while many among the nearly 200 residents in attendance agreed that the Temple has been a good neighbor and voiced sympathy for its economic problems, they were united in their opposition to having retail at the site. When asked at separate times by Etkind and Coffman Realty President Jeffrey Coffman what kind of commercial development they’d like to see built at the site, they emphatically shouted, “None!” Increased traffic and the danger it poses to schoolchildren, as well as declining property values, were among the concerns voiced.
Some residents voiced support of senior housing at the site, saying that would fit in better with the existing neighborhood. Congregation member Deborah Felton, of 20 Willoughby Road, disagreed, however, saying there are already vacancies at the town’s four existing senior facilities.
But as many as 20 other neighbors who spoke at the meeting, including Dorothy Mascoop, of 232 Blue Hill Ave., said a retail venture simply will not fly at the Blue Hill Avenue site.
“Any commercial venture here would be disastrous,” she said.