Plans unveiled for Hope Mill, Hillview Motel

SCITUATE - Developers presented two proposals to the Plan Commission Tuesday, Oct. 20, to build condominiums where old, unused buildings now stand.

The proposals were discussed in separate workshop sessions in which the concepts were disclosed by the would-be applicants.

The largest of the two proposed projects is at Hope Mill in Hope Village, where the previous developer's attempt to convert the old brick and stone structure into numerous three- and four-complex condominiums ended up in U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

New England Development and Funding LLC, a Connecticut company, told the commission it completed a purchase and sale agreement through the receiver that was approved by a Bankruptcy Court judge and was scheduled to close the transaction last week.

The smaller development is proposed at the Hillview Motel on Danielson Pike in Chopmist Hill by Anthony Caprio and Ed D'Atello.

The motel and a house at the front of the property would be torn down and replaced by 20 condominiums or apartments that would be two-story, two-bedroom, wood frame units, said John P. Caito, civil engineer and project planner.

If eventually approved, a six-unit structure would be built in phase one of the project and the remaining structures would be built in phases, Caito said.

Commission Vice Chairman William Jasparro asked whether some of the units would be designated as affordable housing.

Caito answered that affordable housing would not be provided in the first six-unit phase "but could be entertained for the back of the property if it is built as phase two."

Whether affordable housing is provided depends upon a yet to be compiled financial feasibility study, Caito said.

The units will be about 1,300 square feet in size and if sold at today's market price would cost under $200,000.