The threat of massive commercial development looms over the beautiful tree canopy on historic Pond Road. We are a group of concerned citizens and neighbors in both Wellesley and Natick, who are fighting to stop spot zoning, and protect our beloved neighborhood. 

A billion dollar global corporation has purchased the estate at 200 Pond Road, and seeks permission from both the town of Wellesley and Natick to rezone a 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.

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.

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 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

Impacts to Natick:

• The proposed project will not benefit low to moderate income Seniors, it is geared towards 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 Wellesley:

• Single Family Zones will no longer be safe from large scale commercial development
• Large equity firms will see Wellesley  as "for sale"
• Repurposing existing commercial sites with 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
• No financial benefit for the town
• Intended for high net worth individuals, not the majority of seniors.

The law of unintended consequences are, "outcomes of a purposeful action that are not intended or foreseen." If this parcel is rezoned, it will allow for any type of development to take place on the site. For example, if in the future, the assisted living facility fails, it could be turned into any number of large commercial facilities, i.e. apartments. This is pandoras box, and once it is opened, it can't be undone.