Developer outlines Swampscott Temple project

SWAMPSCOTT – Residents at a community meeting Saturday had questions and concerns but also praise for a developer’s plans to build 19 homes in a “suburban village” at the former Temple Israel property on Humphrey Street.”The style of the houses are very attractive and fits in with the neighborhood,” said Orchard Circle resident Vinny Camerlengo. He said he was most concerned with the number of houses proposed. But he predicted the development would be “cautiously accepted, but accepted” by the neighborhood.Charing Cross Realty Trust has proposed to build “Atlantic Crossing,” which the company describes as a 19-unit suburban village of single-family, two-story homes, according to materials presented at the meeting.The packet shows various proposed homes ranging from 2,285 to 2,638 square feet and including two to four bedrooms. Developers said they will seek zoning variances to allow lots with a minimum of 3,643-square-foot area and front, rear and side setbacks of 5 feet. Attorney Michael Callahan said the developer is finalizing the purchase and sale agreement to buy the property from the town for $2.2 million. The Town of Swampscott purchased the Temple Israel for $3.25 million in 2006.Developers said they expect the homes to sell for between $509,000 to $609,000 and hope to begin construction next fall.Members of the development team said the project addresses a unique need in Swampscott for newly built, smaller single-family homes.”I think there’s pent-up demand for that both for empty-nesters and for families,” said Phyllis Sagan of Sagan Realtors, which will be marketing the properties. “There’s no other option for them with new construction.”Neighbors had many questions Saturday and some concerns.Palmer Avenue resident Dana Woodward wondered if there was a neighborhood in town with similar density with which the proposal could be compared.Developers said they would research the question.Humphrey Street resident Rick Cloran raised concerns about the proposed development’s impact on the water table.”In storms and at high tide, you could film a sequel to ?A River Runs Through It,’ in my basement,” Cloran said, referencing the Robert Redford movie. “I live and die by my sump pump.”Camerlengo and Morton Road resident Mary Ann Ryan also expressed concerns about whether the development would impact flooding in the surrounding neighborhood.Engineer Chris Mello said the proposed subdivision contains less impervious surface than the current site. Developers also had “the luxury of starting from scratch” to best engineer drainage on the site.But residents mostly had questions about the proposal – how many units, how wide was the new street, who would be the target market, etc.Charing Cross Realty Trust President Philip Singleton said after the meeting that the presentation “went swimmingly.””We took a chance on doing something that was very different with what [development] was happening in Swampscott,” he said. “You can’t have a better reaction than this.”Indeed, many of the questions and concerns were tempered by compliments.Humphrey Street resident Anne Cacchiotti wondered if the new homes would cast shadows across her property. Developers said no.”This will have a huge impact when I look out of my house,” Cacchiotti said. “Actually, I wish I could afford to buy one.”Cyrus Moulton can be reached at [email protected].