Update:

The developer has chosen to withdraw the project from consideration in both towns. We want to thank the community, and the town boards for their support.

Preserve Pond Road. Protect Wellesley and Natick

Save Wellesley’s oldest and longest scenic road.

Stop large scale commercial development in single family residential areas

The proposed 130,000 sq. ft. facility is larger than the local Walmart and will serve more meals per day than the cheesecake factory.

Pond Road is the natural extension of the historic districts. The idyllic nature of the surrounding area must continue to be preserved.

Commercial development threatens the historic tree canopy, natural tranquility, and extensive wildlife.  Walkers, runners, and cyclists are at risk with increased traffic on the road.

Proposed Project

A large, multi-billion dollar global corporation has purchased the estate at 200 Pond Road and seeks permission from both the town of Natick and Wellesley to rezone a single-family residential parcel, with the intent to construct a massive 130,000 sq. ft. Assisted Living Facility. The proposed plan would see a structure larger than a Walmart built on Pond Road, looming over the scenic road.

Current Situation

The developers efforts to gain support for the project from the community, Natick town boards, and Wellesley town boards has been unsuccessful until recently. The developer has now offered the town of Wellesley $1M to support the project, and with this incentive, the Wellesley Planning Board has now agreed to support the proposal at town meeting.

Future Implications

If this project proceeds, the precedent will be set that Wellesley and Natick are “for sale” to the highest bidder and your residential neighborhood could be next.

Impacts to Wellesley

  • Single Family Zones with not longer be safe from large scale commercial development

  • Repurposing existing commercial sites will fall out of favor, if large entities can buy cheaper residential sites and spot rezone

  • Compromises the hard work of town officials who implement strict zoning initiatives, if large global corporations can bypass zoning laws for a price.

  • The project is geared towards only high net worth individuals, ignoring the majority of seniors.

Impacts to Natick

  • The proposed project will not benefit low to moderate income Seniors, it is intended for high net worth individuals.

  • Significant traffic increase on Natick Roads, particularly Eliot Street and Bacon Street

  • Natick is not in a position to absorb the burden this type of facility would place on emergency, administrative, and utility services.

  • Continued destruction of green space and wildlife with little benefit to the town

  • Spot rezoning is not a long term or sustainable development strategy 

Impacts to Pond Road

  • Increased traffic and danger to walkers, bicyclists, and runners

  • Significant impact on wildlife 

  • Destruction of trees, and surrounding flora and fauna

  • Profoundly change the nature of Wellesley's oldest/longest scenic road

  • Light pollution at night 

  • Sound/ Odor Pollution

  • Create potholes and further destruction to Pond Rd

Before Construction

During Construction

*Image overlay of Developers current site of a similar facility in Brookline during construction. This image is for illustrative purposes only to show the impact of a project this size after blasting, storing/delivering materials, bringing in utilities, installing drainage, and other construction related activities.

“Look after the land and the land will look after you, destroy the land and it will destroy you.”

— Aboriginal Proverb