SWAMPSCOTT — The developers of a controversial 40B development on Elm Place have announced major changes to the building design following concerns from outspoken community members.
The new design of the building, presented in a virtual community meeting Thursday by representatives from WinnDevelopment, was met with general approval and appreciation from attendees who had previously opposed the development.
“We think a ‘friendly 40B’ means that the developer will work with the community and make changes wherever possible that still create project viability and feasibility,” said Gilbert Winn, CEO of WinnCompanies. “We’re willing to be open and exchange ideas.”
The new design includes 120 housing units, down from 128, and 124 parking spaces, up from 108. It also has a significantly changed exterior compared to the original design, which was a more modern style with five stories and a flat roof; the new design is a more traditional, “New England coastal” style, the architects said, with sloped roofs and eaves that remove some of the bulk from the building and fit in better with the surrounding single- and multi-family homes.
The new proposal comes in at 45 feet high, with different parts of the building rising two, four and a half and five stories high. The old proposal was 60 feet high, which led to one of the most widespread concerns among residents that it would tower above all the surrounding buildings.
“We did not do a good job in trying to make that scale fit in, because we approached this as a more modern design,” said Mike Binette, senior partner and managing principal at The Architecture Team Inc., which designed the building, of the original proposal. “We wanted to break down not just the height of the building, but also the bulk of the building, and part of the trick is making it feel like different components and different buildings.”
While multiple meeting participants expressed feelings that the new proposal sufficiently addressed all the concerns they had brought up earlier in the year, some still felt that the developers had not done enough to ensure that the influx of residents would not negatively impact parking and traffic on busy Essex Street. Winn commissioned an independent traffic study in January that was adjusted for pre-COVID traffic levels, which showed that the development would not significantly impact traffic.
The developers explained that they plan to encourage residents to use alternative forms of transportation, including nearby commuter rail and bus service, as well as rideshare and bikeshare programs. They said they would also consider offering incentives to residents who choose to drive less.
The 40B project was approved by the state Department of Housing and Community Development in March, despite a letter sent by the town’s Select Board opposing it.
WinnDevelopment plans to hold more community meetings next month and will continue to accept feedback from residents on the design of the project. For more information about the proposal, visit elmplacecommunity.com.
