Springfield developer to begin construction on 43-home development
SPRINGFIELD – Construction on one of the largest housing developments proposed for the city in several years is expected to begin in September.
Developer Thomas Bretta, owner of Bretta Construction, said he plans to begin site work on a project called Tinkham Woods in mid-September, as soon as the 20-day appeal period for his approval from the Planning Board expires. The board voted in favor of the plans Aug. 20.
The Planning Board did not have the right to deny the project since the property off Tinkham Road is zoned for single-family homes and the lot size meets or exceeds the minimum 10,000 square feet. It could have required changes to the plan if needed, said Philip Dromey, deputy director of planning for the city.
The board approved it with little discussion and did not air any concerns.
The 16 Acres Civic Association met with Bretta and filed no objections over the subdivision. Since there are wetlands on the property, the Conservation Commission also reviewed and approved the plans, Dromey said.
The proposal calls for 43 homes to be built on roughly 16 acres, Bretta said.
"This is one of the largest new developments in the city," he said. "They will be high-end homes, that's what we build."
Two new streets will be built off Tinkham Road for the homes. The project will include three cul-de-sacs.
Records show Bretta purchased four contiguous parcels off Tinkham Road at 243, 261, 227 and 289, between 2002 and 2017 and pieced them together to create the subdivision.
Three houses on the property will be demolished to make way for the new construction, he said.
The new homes are expected to be two stories, measure around 2,500 square feet and sell for $500,000 to $600,000. Bretta said he expects construction on the houses to begin in the spring.
Bretta, of Wilbraham, has built other smaller developments off Tinkham Road, including Eastwood and Angelica drives. He also constructed one on Westwood Drive.
In May, he purchased 18 acres of land on Wendover Road from the Springfield Catholic Diocese for $1 million. Bretta said he plans to construct a subdivision similar to Tinkham Woods in that location.
That property is across from Pope Francis High School and once held a residence for the former Cathedral High School. The home was torn down after being heavily damaged in the June 2011 tornado.
Read the original article on MassLive .
