Aligning Stakeholders Brings Regency at Glen Ellen to Life

The Glen Ellen Country Club in Millis, MA follows the growing trend of golf courses that have been redeveloped for residential use. The exception, however, is that the project faced a daunting approval process. With six different municipal review boards weighing in on every required approval, Bohler quickly recognized the need to align stakeholder goals and objectives to keep the project moving forward.

The 233-acre site is now home to a luxury active adult community developed by Toll Brothers. The Regency at Glen Ellen offers 324 residential units, including 108 single-family detached homes and 216 townhomes. Community residents enjoy more than 100 acres of open space and resort-style amenities including a 7,500-SF clubhouse, an outdoor heated pool, bocce and tennis courts, and walking trails.

Bohler provided civil engineering services, which included designing new roadways and stormwater management facilities to support the development. The team also led the complex permitting and approval efforts. Overall, they provided technical testimony to six local approval boards at 47 hearings. Bohler often provided testimony at multiple hearings per week, and occasionally more than one in the same evening.

Fostering Stakeholder Consensus

Through the extensive process, Bohler’s team remained resolute in its determination to move the project forward. In collaboration with Toll Brothers and the project team, Bohler worked diligently to earn acceptance and agreement from the community for the redevelopment.

With strong local interest in the project, in addition to the half-dozen municipal boards, Bohler developed and implemented a strategy to build consensus among the relevant parties and maintain forward momentum. The team assembled all municipal reviewers together at regularly scheduled meetings to align interests, proactively address challenges prior to hearings, minimize revisions, and expedite the overall permitting process.

Navigating Environmental Obstacles

Bohler also faced challenging environmental concerns on the site. The team successfully designed around wetlands, vernal pools, streams, and a host of other roadblocks to complete this project on schedule.

From a uniquely complex approval process to environmental roadblocks, Regency at Glen Ellen challenged the project team at every turn. By encouraging a collaborative approach, the Bohler team executed the project successfully, enabling Toll Brothers to develop the charming New England community on schedule.