Chilmark Advances $12M Peaked Hills Housing Project After Yearlong Stall
Chilmark, MA — The long-stalled affordable housing project at Peaked Hill Pastures is moving forward again after a year of little progress, thanks to the urgent action of newly elected Chilmark Select Board member Rebecca Haag.
At her first board meeting this Tuesday, Haag revitalized momentum for the roughly $12 million development aimed at constructing four home units, 10 rental units, and two turnkey owner units. She successfully added the project back to the agenda to assess its current state and push for progress.
“When I asked for this to be on the agenda, it was more like, where are we currently on this particular project?” Haag told town officials.
Delays Linked to Developer Bids and Zoning Changes
Island Housing Trust was the only organization to respond to the town’s initial request for information two years ago. However, the trust indicated it would take a year before starting, and suggested changes to the project design the town found unacceptable.
Town Administrator Timothy R. Carroll confirmed the Select Board has not yet formally responded to Island Housing Trust’s bid, leaving the project in limbo.
Adding to the delay, voters approved a zoning bylaw change last year increasing allowed rental units from nine to 10, a procedural hurdle that briefly stalled progress.
Funding in Place but Tight Deadlines Challenge Progress
The project has secured a $900,000 state infrastructure grant, extended through June 2027, and an additional $72,000 seasonal state allocation earmarked for electrical design and engineering. However, the latter expires rapidly this summer, complicating timely utilization.
“It was a very short turnaround,” Carroll said of the $72,000 allocation, warning the compressed timeline makes spending the funds difficult without immediate action.
Urgent Need for Owner’s Project Manager to Lead Development
Under Massachusetts state law, public projects costing more than $1.5 million must appoint an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) as a critical first step. Local officials agree hiring an OPM is vital to move this project forward effectively.
Steve Lewenberg of Chilmark’s Climate & Energy Committee stressed the importance of this role. “None of us working on this project has sole responsibility,” Lewenberg said. “We need a paid individual whose responsibility is to coordinate this project.”
Officials plan to identify and hire an OPM within the next month, marking a key milestone for daily leadership and progress oversight on Peaked Hill Pastures.
Why Chilmark’s Progress Matters Nationwide
The Peaked Hill Pastures project is a rare example of ambitious, locally led affordable housing development in a region facing extreme housing shortages. As housing affordability grows as a national crisis, Chilmark’s renewed push highlights the challenges and complexity of bringing such projects to life.
For communities across the United States, this project underlines the critical need for focused leadership, clear communication with developers, and swift action in applying state and federal funds.
What to Watch Next
The Chilmark Select Board’s next key move is appointing an OPM who can spearhead the design and management phases immediately. The town must also finalize its stance on the Island Housing Trust proposal or consider alternative developers to avoid further delays.
With state grants expiring soon, every week counts as Chilmark races to break ground on these desperately needed affordable housing units that will serve families and workers on Martha’s Vineyard and set an example for similar communities nationwide.
