A.D. Makepeace had initially attempted to develop its entire parcel as a massive mixed-use development including residential, commercial, industrial and commercial space as well as golf courses. The company petitioned for zoning changes in all three towns but it did not receive the support it needed. The plans were withdrawn last fall just before Town Meeting.
The new plan just focuses on the land in Plymouth but according to a representative from the Cranberry Country Coalition, a group formed to combat A.D. Makepeace's plan to develop its land here, the new plan is not much different than the old one. "The proposal is the same," Susan Peterson, coordinator of the Coalition, tells GlobeSt.com. "It's more housing, golf courses and commercial space. They're essentially recycling their idea, which is offensive."
Kevin O'Reilly, A.D. Makepeace's spokesperson did not return calls by presstime. According to John Lenox, director of planning and development for Plymouth the company plans on developing "some kind of mixed use" development with open space, residential space golf courses and neighborhood-style retail. Lenox speculates that Makepeace decided to focus on this town first because the land here can stand alone. "It was too difficult for them to deal with all three towns at once," he says. "They didn't get very far."
If the Coalition has its way, Makepeace won't get very far this time either. Peterson says that her group has "active plans to oppose the project" but she declined to reveal exactly what those plans are. She points out that the company is planning to develop all the land and what it calls open space will be golf courses. "The land they are proposing to develop is a unique habitat," she points out. "The proposal is to pave it all. It will all be driveways, backyards, roads and golf courses. Why don't they put in a plan that's reasonable?" Many conservation groups are opposed to developing this site, and notes Peterson, the Conservation Partnership, a group of federal and state conservation groups, have offered to purchase the land at market value. Makepeace already turned that offer down once.
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