The City of Taunton's Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD) presented a plan to sell the Leonard School property (356 West Britannia) and the adjacent wooded lots through an RFP process (parcels 46-235, 46-229, and 46-212).

The OECD has indicated that the building is likely not salvageable due to extensive deterioration and the excessive cost that would be required to restore or rehab Leonard School. The proposed RFP includes the creation of a cottage or cluster-style condominium community. 

This plan includes:

• Razing of the ~ 6.5 wooded acres behind Leonard School
• 50-70 total 1-2 bedroom single-family, detached units
• 2nd means of access through "paper street"

What this means to the neighborhood and its residents:

• Loss of greenspace and neighborhood privacy
• Increased noise and traffic
• Decrease in existing home values 

Many of us enjoy this neighborhood because of the greenspace - it offers a semblance of seclusion amid a city. Eliminating this greenspace would thrust the area firmly into a true urban environment, further deteriorating our neighborhood.

A better compromise that would help eliminate the unsafe Leonard School but retain a neighborhood feel would be to alter the RFP to include only the Leonard School property and adjacent playground property (Parcels 46-235 and 46-229) for either restoration or development (with community input on number of units)

What you can do:

1. Sign this petition in opposition to the development of the full property, specifically opposing the sale of Parcel 46-212 (wooded area).
2. ATTEND THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 13TH and have your voice heard.
3. Request a lawn sign showing your opposition here

If you do not attend, you can not impact the City Council vote on whether or how this project moves forward.

And, if it does move forward, your attendance will be imperative to inpact important stipulations within the RFP including number of units, number of bedrooms per unit, buffer from development to abutters property line, creation of a fence to ensure privacy of abutters. 

Ahead of the council meeting on September 13th:

• Watch the August 16 City Council meeting and review the OECD's proposal for the Leonard School property (begins at time stamp 16:08)  
• Contact the City Council and OECD and tell them why you oppose this plan to destroy the neighborhood
• Send a copy of your email to the Taunton Gazette and post on your social media
• Share this petition on social media

With questions, please reach out to Jen Hoye