Development changes concern Swampscott Planning Board

SWAMPSCOTT – Representatives of the Atlantic Crossing development project shocked members of the Planning Board when they revealed some of their homes would have a Humphrey Street address.Chairman Angela Ippolito said she wasn?t a fan of how two of the 14 homes would face busy Humphrey Street instead of the road being developed specifically for the project because she thought it “diminished” the development?s character.?It?s a lovely development, and I liked the contained nature,” said Ippolito. “It?s part of its charm.”Development Project Manager Bill Luster said the new plan was better for the subdivision?s layout and would allow for bigger lots.Ippolito suggested Luster and developers go back to the neighbors to discuss the changes, because she said neighbors may not be happy with curb cuts on Humphrey Street, and that the Traffic Study Committee would also need to take a look at the changes.The board also became concerned that developers were allowing buyers to customize their homes using their own architects. Luster said potential buyers are “responding well to the home designs,” but out of the five buyers who put down a deposit, one wants to work on her own lot design.?People don?t typically like to be restrained,” said Luster.Board member Jeffrey Blonder was concerned that allowing the buyers to customize their homes would “open the floodgates” to the town losing control of the subdivision?s “look.”Luster explained that the buyer, who put a deposit down on “lot four” of the subdivision, would have to work within the parameters that the developers were restricted to by the town, and therefore would contain the consistency of the subdivision.The discussion will continue at the next Planning Board meeting May 13, at which Luster said he would bring a plan for Lot 4.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].