20 South Avenue

20 South Avenue is a 24-unit condominium with five affordable units completed in 2008 on the site of a former auto repair shop near downtown Natick.  It was developed using the Town’s Housing Overlay Option Plan (HOOP) zoning, enacted in 2003 and 2004, to encourage smart growth development and revitalize its downtown.  The Town created several HOOP districts including two districts near the center with a number of properties used for auto-related services.  These HOOP overlay districts allow higher density residential development for projects meeting setback, open space, landscaping, design and other standards and require that at least 15% of the units be affordable. 

20 South Avenue was the first development approved under HOOP.  It was developed entirely with private financing.  The developer (Downtown Natick Development Company LLC) purchased the site from the owners of the auto repair business and used the  Brownfields  Covenant Not to Sue program to obtain liability protection.

The development is located two blocks from the commuter rail stop and within easy walking distance to the town center.