LYNN — Neighbors can speak out about plans to transform the former Marshall Middle School into a senior housing building in September.
Lynn City Council set down a public hearing for a zoning change that would allow for the development during a meeting Tuesday night, though it has not yet been determined whether the matter will be taken up during the first or second meeting of the month.
Talk of transforming the 172,500-square-foot property into a 100-unit senior housing building began in June, when City Council President Darren Cyr said he would only make a recommendation for a project after hearing from residents in the neighborhood.
He later told a subcommittee there’s a consensus among neighbors of the Porter Street school for over-65 housing with the possibility of a dozen townhomes that would not be age restricted, as well as ground floor retail to serve elders, such as a beauty parlor, doctor’s office, and a small grocery shop.
The Council’s Request for Proposals (RFP) committee voted to recommend a zoning change suggested by Clint Muche, the city’s deputy building commissioner, that allows for single- and double-family homes, row houses, and apartment houses. Special permits could be issued to allow assisted living facilities, mixed use, and hotels.
A provision was also added to the sale of the school that requires a minimum price tag of $4 million for the property. The existing building is assessed at $8.6 million and the land has an assessed value of $1 million.
