In Falmouth, we need more open space conservation and more accessible housing for working families. Had a chance to tour The 300 Committee Land Trust’s North Falmouth Woodlands property… where they are tackling both issues. 50 acres of land are being conserved for public access, while 7.5 acres are devoted to housing affordability."
State Representative Dylan Fernandes, January 2024
North Falmouth Woodlands Acquisition
The 300 Committee Land Trust (T3C) and the Falmouth Conservation Commission (ConCom) are collaborating on the permanent protection of almost 50 acres of important woodlands in North Falmouth. This project advances two of Falmouth’s most critical needs: open space conservation and community housing.
The Deal. T3C has secured an agreement with LTC, LLC (owned and managed by Ruth and Steven Augusta) for the purchase of their ~56-acre property at 48 Benjamin Nyes Lane and 0 Quaker Road for open space conservation and community housing. The purchase is expected to be completed in installments over two years: January 2025 and January 2026. April 2024 Town Meeting members voted overwhelmingly in favor to support this project with $3 million from Community Preservation funds.
Recognizing the need for collaboration to support both community housing and open space goals, T3C plans to permanently preserve 48 acres of priority set aside the remaining ~7.5 acres of land for the proposed development of affordable community housing. This area covers the already disturbed portion of the property (current site of an existing residence), and T3C has drafted an agreement with Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod to create up to 15 units of workforce housing.
Total acquisition: 56 acres
- 48± acres for permanent conservation
- 7± acres for workforce housing
April 2024 Town Meeting voted in support of Article 29! (April 8, 2024)
The ConCom has voted to hold a perpetual conservation restriction (CR) on almost 50 acres of the property.
- Article 29 asks TM to vote $3 million from the CPC to support two CRs that will extinguish all development rights on the land, while ensuring permanent protection and public access in perpetuity.
- Projected reimbursement of $1 million through the MA LAND Grant program means a net expenditure of $2 million from CPC funds.
The Funding Plan
Land purchase costs…$5,950,000
Project support costs…$50,000 (estimated)
Stewardship endowment…$100,000 (estimated)
TOTAL: $6.1 million
Projected funding sources include:
| $2 million | Falmouth Community Preservation Fund as recommended by the CPC for appropriation at the April 2024 Town Meeting |
| $1 million | MA LAND Grant (Note: the CPC recommendation is for a $3 million appropriation of which $1 million would be reimbursed by the State and $2 million is net CPC support) |
| $1 million | Habitat for Humanity, grants and private fund raising |
| $2.1 million | T3C private fund raising, foundation grants, additional State or other grant funds |
For more information
Contact The 300 Committee by phone at (508) 540-0876 or email at [email protected] for more information.
More about the Project
High Priority Open Space. The land to be protected has been near the top of T3C’s acquisition wish list for decades and ranks very highly for these conservation values:
- Priority Habitat
- Wetlands
- Prime Forest
- Prime Soils
- Climate change resilience
Future Public Access & Education Opportunities. Once the land is secured, T3C plans to create trails that allow for public access while also protecting sensitive ecosystems. Because the land abuts the North Falmouth Elementary School, we envision the possibility of future educational programming featuring the land and its many natural resources.
Community Impact. Permanently protected open space in the village of North Falmouth is surprisingly scarce, with considerable development of vacant land in recent years. The North Falmouth Woodlands acquisition is a collaborative project that presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to advance two of Falmouth’s most critical needs: open space conservation and community housing.
Read more about the project in the Falmouth Enterprise
October 26, 2023