SWAMPSCOTT — The Select Board was briefed on Wednesday night by Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka on a Chapter 40B housing project proposed by Atlantic Bay View Residences.
The developers are seeking a comprehensive permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for the construction of a 160-unit multi-family housing development for Archer Street that would provide access off of Foster Road. The proposal was submitted to the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency (MassHousing) on Nov. 24.
The proposed building would be five stories high, an apartment-style rental development with 16 three-bedroom, 48-two bedroom and 96 one-bedroom units. Eight of the units will be ADA compliant. Two hundred and forty-three parking spaces are included in the plan, with 69 spaces under the building in two enclosed garages and 174 located onsite in open air. Seven of the spaces will be handicap accessible.
Atlantic Bay View Residences will host a public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. to discuss this project. The meeting will be held at Swampscott High School in Room B129 and will offer a virtual option for residents to participate.
Selectman Peter Spellios said that while the Select Board would gladly meet with the developers in a neighborhood meeting, that does not mean the board automatically approves the proposal. He said that he wants to make sure the developers are the ones who are proposing this project and that there is no miscommunication to the town.
“I think it’s really important that the applicant can communicate,” said Spellios. “I also want to make sure that this isn’t misconstrued as support.”
Galazka agreed and promised to communicate to the public that this project is not proposed by the Select Board
Galazka, members of MassHousing, town staff and the fire department visited the site on Wednesday, where they discussed concerns about the approach and feasibility of the proposal with the developers.
Galazka said that she and her staff asked the developers for additional time to review the project and submit any additional questions regarding cost, time and any environmental impacts.
“We don’t have any information on costs for the project yet,” Galazka said. “That’s why we’re asking for an extension.”
The developers agreed to Galazka’s request and offered a review process that would last until Jan. 28.
Chapter 40B is a state statute in Massachusetts that allows the local zoning board of appeals to approve affordable housing projects under flexible rules, if at least 20 to 25 percent of the units have long-term affordability restrictions. Developers may override local zoning bylaws to increase affordable housing in municipalities if less than 10 percent of housing is deemed as affordable.
The town of Swampscott currently has less than 4 percent of housing considered affordable.
This is not the first Chapter 40B housing proposal the town has considered this year. The ZBA has been holding public hearings on a proposed 120-unit, mixed-income building at Elm Place, which has received opposition from residents.
Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald said that affordable housing is important to Swampscott, but added that any project needs to be reviewed carefully, with all concerns addressed.
“Folks understand that building affordable housing is an important responsibility,” said Fitzgerald. “That said, it should be in the right place and the right time.”
