SALEM — The developers behind a potential five-story mixed-use development on Norman Street have been asked to reimagine their proposal following an appearance before the Salem Redevelopment Authority earlier this week.
After a public comment period, the Salem Redevelopment Authority (SRA) decided to review the design application for the proposed 25-unit building at its next meeting, which would give the developers time to make some recommended modifications.
“Some of the board members had concerns about the scale of the application,” said SRA Executive Director Tom Daniel. “It was clear through the discussion that the applicant had had a lot of engagement with neighbors and the community, and had tried to incorporate public feedback. The board acknowledged that and was appreciative, but felt like the application needed more work.”
The proposal received 20 written comments from Salem residents, who expressed skepticism about the development. The residents, the majority of whom live on the nearby Chestnut and Federal streets, voiced concerns about the scale of the project, potential traffic and parking problems it might cause,
“At five stories, the proposed building would tower over adjacent Crombie Street, including its direct neighbor, the Wendt House,” reads a letter for Caroline Watson-Felt, the president of Historic Salem. “We strongly oppose allowing this height.”
Historic Salem recommended the height of the building could be reduced by eliminating the planned retail space on the first floor. The development team, 38 Norman St. LLC, has proposed 1,652 square-feet of retail space on the first floor, which Daniel said could house a restaurant or cafe.
“The intersection where this building is being proposed is a really dangerous intersection, as it is now without more cars and traffic being put near it,” reads another letter from Salem resident Linda McLaughlin. “The construction in an area like that would be horrible for traffic flow.”
The site targeted for development at 38 Norman St. currently houses a single-story building, which would be demolished if plans for the project moved forward. Norman St. LLC has a purchase and sale agreement in place with the current owner of the property.
The building, as presented to the SRA, would include 25 apartments, which would be a mix of studios, and one- and two-bedroom units.
Ninety percent of the apartments would be sold at market rate, Daniel said, while 10 percent would be marketed as affordable, at 60 percent of the area median income (AMI), based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s calculation of income.
Because of the way that HUD calculates AMI, apartments that are considered affordable at 60 percent AMI would be considered affordable to a family of four making $71,400 a year, which is higher than the real median household income of Salem, or $65,565 a year.
The developer’s application will be revisited at the next SRA meeting on May 12. If approved at that meeting, it will be referred to the SRA Design Review Board. If the project is approved, the developer anticipates construction would be completed by December 2022.
