Chilmark Revives $12M Peaked Hills Housing Project Following Yearlong Halt
At her first meeting as a new member of the Chilmark Select Board on Tuesday, Rebecca Haag reignited progress on the stalled Peaked Hill Pastures affordable housing project, signaling crucial forward movement after roughly a year without development.
Haag, elected last month, requested the project be placed on the agenda to obtain a clear update on its status and prepare for the large-scale effort estimated at $12 million. The plan involves building four home units, 10 rental units, and two turnkey owner units—homes constructed by a developer and allocated to buyers through a lottery system.
Stalled Progress, New Momentum
Town Administrator Timothy R. Carroll explained the delays tied to responses from the Island Housing Trust, the sole organization to answer a two-year-old request for information (RFI). The Trust’s planned design modifications and timeline—originally suggesting a one-year wait—clashed with town preferences, leaving Chilmark officials without a formal reply to their concerns.
“When I asked for this to be on the agenda, it was more like, where are we currently on this particular project?” Haag said, highlighting the growing frustration with the stalled timeline.
Funding and Zoning Updates Drive Project Forward
Recent developments include a new zoning bylaw approved by voters last year, which increased permitted rentals on-site from nine to 10 units. This minor yet critical change unblocked one of the main hurdles holding up progress.
The project is currently supported by a $900,000 state infrastructure grant, extended until June 2027. There is also a smaller $72,000 seasonal community allocation specifically for electrical design and engineering, but it must be used by June of this year. Carroll warned the short turnaround to use this funding is “kind of tight,” especially as no design or owner’s project manager (OPM) has been secured.
Critical Step: Hiring an Owner’s Project Manager
According to Massachusetts state law, projects exceeding $1.5 million require an OPM. Town officials emphasized this role as vital because no single person currently oversees the project full-time.
“None of us working on this project, staff or committee members, has the sole responsibility for this project. We all have other stuff that’s going on,” said Steve Lewenberg, of the Climatic & Energy Committee. “This is a very important hire because we need to have a paid individual whose responsibility is to coordinate this project.”
The town aims to hire an OPM or firm within the next month to lead and coordinate daily activities, a move that could finally break the yearlong deadlock and push Peaked Hill Pastures closer to groundbreaking.
Why This Matters
With affordable housing shortages gripping communities across the U.S., Chilmark’s move signals key progress in tackling local housing crises. Peaked Hill Pastures promises a mix of ownership and rental units, addressing urgent needs for workforce and community residents at more accessible prices.
The project’s future now hinges on swift coordination and effective management to leverage existing state funds and meet critical deadlines. Chilmark residents and regional watchers are closely watching to see if this long-stalled plan finally launches construction soon.
Next Steps to Watch
The upcoming weeks will be crucial as Chilmark searches for an OPM, finalizes project designs, and aligns state funding usage. The success of Peaked Hill Pastures could set a precedent for similar developments across Martha’s Vineyard and other high-demand areas struggling to expand affordable housing.
Stay tuned as this developing story evolves with new updates from Chilmark officials and the Island Housing Trust.
