(Sept. 22, 2026) – The Ayer Planning Board voted to grant four approvals allowing a developer to build a 32-unit apartment building along Littleton Road, which expands the Old Towne Village apartment complex.
The Planning Board voted 5-0 on all approvals, which included a Special Permit for multi-family use and Site Plan Approval. The board also approved the application related to the Inclusionary Housing Bylaw and a Major Stormwater Permit. Here is the original public hearing notice.
The Board reviewed two outstanding issues on Tuesday before voting, including improvements to a sidewalk and pedestrian infrastructure along Littleton Road. The fire chief also attended to discuss the turning radius for fire trucks.
As part of this project, the developer was required to propose three affordable units and they did so following the regulation at 80% AMI (Area Median Income) for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA Metro Fair Market Rent (FMR) Area. And on Tuesday night, the Planning Board approved language saying the affordable units, “may not exceed 80%.”
However, the Community Housing Manager attended the Planning Board meeting and before the public hearing, said the developer on Littleton Road had worked with her office and voluntarily agreed to set the affordable rents at about 58 percent AMI. This brings the affordable rents below the developer’s market rent rates in their existing nearby apartments.
She spoke earlier in the meeting as she presented proposed amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Bylaw (read article). The Planning Board voted 5-0 to recommend these to the Oct. 26, 2026 Special Town Meeting.