Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the history of the Burlington Landlocked Parcel?

The Town of Burlington acquired the 247-acre landlocked parcel through eminent domain in 1985. The Town entered into an option agreement with P.C. Burlington, Inc. (Cadillac Fairview), the primary property owner at the time. The agreement allows the option holder, Patriot Partners, to purchase the land and explore development options for the site.

2. Why is it called the Burlington “Landlocked Parcel?”

The landlocked parcel’s name is derived from the lack of legal access to the site. Currently, Burlington residents have no legal means of accessing the site due to its location adjacent to and on the westerly side of the Route 3 highway. Lexington and Bedford residents only have pedestrian access on the site’s southern and western sides.

3. Why should the Town explore development options at this time?

Erickson Retirement Communities is considering locating a premier senior housing development on the landlocked parcel.
The State has identified Route 3 as a "growth corridor."
With the State’s recent passage of the $1 billion life sciences bill, world-class companies are incentivized to move to this region.
Town would receive tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
Patriot Partners will collaborate with other area developers to master plan infrastructure.
The Town of Burlington has the opportunity to work with a trusted, local developer.
Burlington can negotiate a commercially reasonable sales price, in excess of the option price.
The Town will strongly influence the development of the parcel without incurring the multi-year delay, market risks and loss of control that the public bidding process might entail.
Burlington will realize significant financial benefits as early as 2009.
The community will control development plans through local and state permitting requirements.

4. Are there infrastructure requirements to access the site?

Currently, there are no legal means of accessing the landlocked parcel from Route 3 or from Burlington. To develop the site for any type of use, Patriot Partners would have to coordinate vehicular access to the site. With the redevelopment of Northwest Park and other nearby parcels on the horizon, now is an ideal time to master-plan the area's infrastructure to ensure a "smart growth" approach.

5. What is the financial impact of developing the site?

As the largest tract of undeveloped land in Burlington, the landlocked parcel is considered to be a valuable asset for the Town. By taking advantage of the option holder’s ability to develop the property now, the Town of Burlington would see financial benefits of approximately $50 million in new real estate tax revenue in the first ten years in addition to the purchase price for the land.

6. How does Patriot Partners control the option?

Patriot Partners has control over the assets of P.C. Burlington, Inc. (Cadillac Fairview), which consists of the option to purchase the site and explore commercial development.

7. What type of senior housing does the proposed development include?

The senior housing component developed and managed by Erickson Retirement Communities would offer Burlington seniors a full spectrum of living arrangements as the medical needs of residents may change: Independent-living apartment homes, home healthcare, assisted living and skilled nursing care. With up to 2,500 high-quality living units and a rich collection of facilities and amenities on the Landlocked Parcel, Burlington seniors could enjoy a safe, socially active and engaging lifestyle while remaining close to friends, family and their community.

8. Why is an Erickson Retirement Community affordable for Burlington seniors?

Erickson develops and manages retirement communities for middle-income seniors with annual incomes typically starting in the mid-$20,000 range. Upon entering, residents pay a 100 percent fully refundable deposit, typically funded by selling their home. At Linden Ponds in Hingham, the deposits start at just under $200,000. Since the median home value in Burlington for residents ages 62 and older is $370,000, we estimate that a majority of Burlington seniors could comfortably afford to live in an Erickson Retirement Community. Additionally, Erickson residents pay a low monthly service fee, which includes all utilities (except phone), one meal per day, transportation, security and on-site activities. At Linden Ponds, the monthly fees start at $1,531, which most residents can afford with a modest pension and their social security. Plus, residents pay no annual property taxes, no closing costs and no transfer fees. To see how you can afford to live in an Erickson Retirement Community, please review our materials here.

9. What are the benefits of an Erickson Retirement Community and how does it differ from other senior living options?

Erickson communities put minimal burdens on town services because they are uniquely self-sufficient, providing their own road repair, snow removal, security, emergency response, and other services typically funded by the local government. For residents, Erickson communities offer a worry-free lifestyle and include transportation, grounds maintenance, a lifetime warranty on the home and appliances, and 24/7 campus security. On-site amenities include a medical center with on-site laboratory services and a pharmacy, fitness center with full-time trainers, a swimming pool, restaurants, a convenience store, chapel, clubs and meeting rooms, and more. For the community, Erickson’s campus will generate full- and part-time jobs for the area, and will be the first non-income restricted, continuing-care retirement community in Burlington.

10. What are the traffic impacts of any potential development?

As we are still in the conceptual phases of developing the landlocked parcel, we have not conducted a detailed traffic study at this time. However, by reviewing the traffic studies for Lexington Technology Park, a comparable life science campus, and Linden Ponds, Erickson’s project in Hingham, it’s our understanding that the overall traffic impact of a life science campus and an Erickson Retirement Community would generate less daily trips than traditional office, retail or industrial space. If the Town chooses to move forward with exploring development plans at the landlocked parcel, the Burlington Planning Board and the State would have to review and approve traffic impacts before granting any permits. Additionally, there would be certain traffic mitigation and infrastructure measures required in order to alleviate congestion along the Middlesex Turnpike and Route 3 corridors.