SAUGUS — The Board of Selectmen voted to extend the special permit for Kowloon Restaurant Tuesday night, which was needed due to delays in the ongoing apartment project.
The property includes 920-950 Broadway and will include two buildings, set to be six stories and 67 feet in height.
The extension would give the project another six months and include the same conditions, according to Attorney Richard Magnan.
“One bedroom, 198 units, no balconies. Everything is the same. It’s just asking for a little more time,” Magnan said.
Selectman Michael Serino asked whether it would be better to extend the permit by a year rather than six months due to how long it can take for construction to get started.
“I was perhaps… optimistic that the six months would start the construction… But the way things are going… I’m just going to come back to you in six months,” Magnan said.
Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta asked whether they were limited to giving them six months, to which Magnan responded that there was a limit under a variance, but the Board could grant the project a longer term under the Special Permit.
Panetta noted that the advertisement had been for six months.
“(Is there) any opinion if we advertised for six months but we go a year?” Selectman Jeffery Cicolini asked.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree suggested that the Board vote for both the six-month permit and the 12-month permit in case the 12-month permit gets challenged down the line.
Selectman Anthony Cogliano asked Magnan what the “snag” was in the process.
“There’s been extensive review by the Planning Board and their peer review process. We are scheduled to be back before them, hopefully, with a final vote by that board on April 2. However, I have some information indicating that they may have to delay that (the meeting)… It’s been a while, but that’s a board doing its job,” Magnan said.
Selectman Frank Federico asked when the process first started, as he had not been on the Board of Selectmen yet, and Magnan stated that the original meetings began a couple of years ago, but the site plan and master plan applications started about five months ago.
A neighbor approached with concerns about the apartments, including privacy issues due to the building’s height, and Magnan stated that they’d be willing to reach out to the neighbors and address any concerns directly.
Both extensions, six months and 12 months, were given unanimous yes votes.
