Planning board hears proposal for Regis land

The Planning Board got a first look at a proposed development for 30 acres of land adjacent to Regis College recently, with a school spokesman describing the plans as “something wonderful for the town and wonderful for the college.”

HYM Investment Group of Boston is proposing to build a senior living complex at 300 Wellesley St., across from the Spellman Museum, that would include 24 independent-living cottages, a main building with 131 independent-living units, 40 assisted-living units and 20 memory care units for a total of 215 units with 215 parking spaces.

The parcel is located about two miles from the town center. Developing it would require a zoning bylaw amendment at Town Meeting and special permit approval. As of press time, the sale has not yet been finalized.

The project would be similar in style to another recently opened HYM project, The Newbury in Brookline, which has 159 high-end units of mixed independent housing, assisted-living and memory care units on the former Newbury College property.

Tom O’Brien, HYM CEO and founding partner, said in an interview that the proposed project is aimed at addressing the growing need for senior housing in Weston where the 65-and-older population is increasing faster than the general population.

“As baby boomers age, there is significant need for senior housing. That’s true in the community of Weston,” he said. “The idea of being able to provide people an opportunity to stay in the community and perhaps be near their grandchildren or nearby is a key part of this.”

O’Brien said the project will go through the town’s rezoning process this spring with the goal of receiving a special permit next January. If the permit is granted, construction would start in spring 2027, with completion in fall of 2029.

He added there was potential for partnerships with Regis College, particularly for nursing students to have opportunities to engage with the residents of the development.

“The idea that there could be an academic link between Regis and their nursing program and this senior housing project is something at the forefront of our minds,” he said.

Regis College described the project as “a means to enhance student opportunities and expand senior living options in Weston.”

“This collaboration reflects Regis College’s mission to create synergies for the academic interests of our students, who are compassionate, skilled and ready to meet the complex needs of a changing society,” said President Antoinette Hays in a press release. “This endeavor also supports a need in the town of Weston by creating a welcoming, community-oriented environment for older adults who wish to remain in the community they know and love.”

In his Dec. 17 presentation to the Planning Board, O’Brien described plans for the site, which include existing walking trails and wetlands. A proposed zoning overlay would increase minimum required frontage, lot size, open space and street setbacks.

While he did not show actual plans for building designs, O’Brien presented design inspiration from the region, including homes with gambrel roofs, shingle designs and outdoor decks to enable residents to enjoy the outdoors.

“We see this as a very special opportunity to create something beautiful and an opportunity for it to be a wonderful place for people to age in place in the community of Weston … with a very high level of amenities, very high design and a beautiful place for people to live,” he said. He added that the project would offer access to nearby trails, protect nearby wetlands, minimize traffic, create local jobs and promote economic activity. Additionally, he said, the project will generate approximately $2 million in annual property tax revenue.

Once completed, it would be turned over to an investor with experience in managing assisted-living facilities.

Planning Board members raised numerous concerns about affordable housing, building styles, waste treatment, building height, lighting, tree cutting, views of the building and trail maintenance, among other issues.

Abutting residents asked about traffic, soil contaminants, sustainability, tree preservation and impact on the neighborhood. O’Brien said environmental and traffic studies were ongoing and would be addressed in a full transportation study, and that the design team plans to use landscaping and the natural topography to shield neighbors from views of buildings.

Planning Board Chair Leslie Glynn said while the town needs more senior housing, it also needs more affordable housing, which was not addressed in the presentation. She explained the process for zoning amendments includes public hearings and Town Meeting approval and said the board would ensure a thorough review process. She called the developer’s projected timeline “optimistic.”

“One of the reasons I am very happy you’ve come to us this early is so we can start to open up some of these discussions,” she said. “It’s a lot of work to get done in five months. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I’m saying it is going to take some real effort.”