SWAMPSCOTT — The developers of a major 40B affordable housing project on Elm Place will hold another community meeting Tuesday to share updates of the plans for the project and gather feedback.
At a June 10 meeting, WinnDevelopment, the company working on the project, met with residents to show the newly designed project plan for the property. The original design had been met with widespread disapproval from community members, who had concerns that the project was too big, didn’t fit with the surrounding neighborhood and would cause traffic.
The new design as presented last month would include 120 housing units and 124 parking spaces. The structure would rise to 45 feet tall, with different parts of the building at two, four and a half or five stories, taking into consideration the town’s concerns. It also features a more traditional “New England coastal” style, instead of the more modern design reflected in the original proposal.
Participants in that meeting generally shared positive feelings that the developers had listened to their feedback.
“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, during the meeting. “We’re willing to be open and exchange ideas.”
Concerns raised by meeting participants at the time included lingering worries 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, and it showed that the development would not significantly impact traffic.
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.
The Tuesday meeting will address feedback provided at the June meeting and answer additional questions residents may have about the project.
The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in conference room B129 of Swampscott High School, 200 Essex St. A spokesman for WinnCompanies said that they are looking into whether the meeting can be broadcast online or recorded.
For more information about the project, visit elmplacecommunity.com.
