Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 26, 2024 40B| FROM PAGE 1 ily rental units planned by Interstate Properties Management, Inc. near its offi ce building on Route 1 South – could be the last such project of its kind. “If the current 40B application at 961-999 Broadway is approved, this would put the town well over the state’s 10 percent requirement,” Selectman Michael Serino told The Saugus Advocate this week. “Consequently, the town would not have to accept any more 40B projects. Moreover, any proposed housing developments would have to abide by the town’s zoning bylaws,” Serino said. The state law known as Chapter 40B allows the developer to forgo certain local zoning bylaws and restrictions, providing at least 25 percent of its units of a housing project are designated as “aff ordable.” Saugus’ low or moderate income housing units constitute about 6.9 percent of the town’s total housing stock. Town notifi ed of preliminary plans Several town offi cials, a representative from the Massachusetts housing finance agency (MassHousing) and parties representing local developer Salvatore Palumbo and Interstate Properties Management, Inc. did a site walk last week on land that could be developed near Palumbo’s office building and parking garage. The property is situated near the Holiday Inn Express, off of Route 1 South. The property will be divided into two lots, one will have the offi ce building and garage and conform with underlying zoning (Lot A), and the other, Lot B, will be the comprehensive permit parcel, according to Lynne D. Sweet, the principal of LDS Consulting Group, LLC, which is representing Interstate Properties Management. “The two lots will share the garage and some access points. The Applicant is proposing 189 mixed income multi-family rental units in two buildings on an undeveloped lot behind their existing office building and parking Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net AN ARTIST RENDERING OF THE 40B PROJECT: Here’s how the proposed project will look with the construction of two buildings providing 189 units of mixed-income multifamily rental apartments. (Courtesy rendering to The Saugus Advocate) garage on Lot B. The new development will have 48 units income restricted to households earning at or below 80% of AMI. The main access to the site will be via route 1, between hockey town and the hotel. Emergency access will be via route one through the existing parking garage,” Sweet wrote in an email to The Saugus Advocate. “Building A will have 80 units and be six stories with parking under the fi rst level, and building B will have 109 units and be 8 stories with parking under the fi rst level and access to the existing parking garage. In total, there will be 90 new parking spaces, 89 new garage spaces under building, and the use of 136 parking spaces in the existing garage for a total of 315 parking spaces. It will off er both indoor and outdoor amenities for the benefi t of all residents. The property has been designed to create green space over the existing gas easement in front of the buildings. There will be no access into the residential neighborhood to the rear of the property and the majority of the existing tree buff er will remain in place.” Cogliano supports the project At least one selectman – Anthony Cogliano, a personal friend of Palumbo – said he supports the 40B project as it has been proposed. “Prior to his leaving Saugus, I spoke with former planning director Chris Riley at length and he was strongly in favor of the proposed 40B,” Cogliano told The Saugus Advocate. “I have also attended meetings with MassHousing, the developer, his attorney, and the contractor for the proposed project and I am pleased with everything I’ve seen to this point. The development is fi rst class and should be a welcome addition to Saugus. I understand there are residents who are opposed to any new apartments being built and I’m sure there will be opposition to this project,” Cogliano said. “Unfortunately, because Saugus does not meet the criteria of aff ordable housing set forth by state law, we must build more. We also have a serious shortage with our agreement with the MBTA to build more apartments in exchange for the rail trail. This proposed 40B at 961 Broadway also seeks to add a bus stop which will help decrease the amount of apartments needed to be built for the MBTA in our town.” Most of the selectmen said they will be monitoring the project cautiously. “Although the Board of Selectmen have no jurisdiction over 40B projects, I will be following this proposed project closely,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta said. “My main concern is that this project doesn’t negatively impact the residents of Forest Street and the surrounding area,” she said. Selectman Corinne Riley noted that her initial reaction to the project was concern for the neighborhood and “the strain that this development might put on our schools, infrastructure and public safety.” “Beyond that, my concern is that Saugus has still not reached the 10 percent aff ordable housing threshold, which makes us subject to 40B projects like this,” Riley said. “Saugus residents have made it clear that they don’t want more apartments in town. We’ve had building moratoriums and more restrictive zoning changes in recent years, and as well intentioned as they are, they have limited impact with regard to 40B projects, because the Mass Housing Appeals Committee will overrule Saugus and allow this type of development,” she said. So the more important question may be, how and when will Saugus get to 10 percent aff ordable housing so that we’re no lon40B | SEE PAGE 4
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