AMENDED UPDATE: 20 Elm Street "Chapter 40B" Proposal
Amended Update as of June 28, 2019:
Representatives of the Town of North Reading and the NY Ventures development team met on Wednesday morning, June 26th to continue discussions regarding the proposed development at 20 Elm Street. The meeting included the principal of NY Ventures Nick Yebba, Select Board liaisons to the Zoning Board of Appeals for this project, Andy Schultz and Steve O’Leary, and Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto. Town Counsel and NY Venture’s counsel and consultants were also in attendance.
At the meeting, NY Ventures expressed that it evaluated alternative development options in response to the Town’s previous feedback, and had identified an alternative project that would require approval of one or more zoning bylaw amendments by Town Meeting for all of the existing 20 Elm Street property. This alternative would include 162 units with a 10% affordable component in three four-story buildings (including ground level garages) on the former driving range, with the building setbacks from East Street being increased from 44 feet to approximately 75 feet, preserving some of the natural tree buffer. This alternative is anticipated to be reviewed at an upcoming Select Board meeting. The proposed zoning bylaw amendment(s) would allow for future development, including potential townhouse or other housing, on the portion of the parcel on which the restaurant / function facility is currently located.
In the interim, NY Ventures informed the Town that even though the alternative is still being explored, it expects to submit an application on or about July 8, 2019 to the Board of Appeals for a 200 unit Chapter 40B development determined by MassHousing to be eligible for application to the Board of Appeals (a previous update indicated Mass Housing approval rather than project eligibility). This application is expected to include 200 units in five five-story buildings (including ground level garages) as approved by MassHousing. The East Street setbacks are similarly expected to be increased to 75 feet. Once received, the application is required to be distributed to Town boards within seven days of receipt and will also be posted on the Town website here. The Town and NY Ventures agreed that the Board of Appeals would be asked to open a public hearing on the application, but also extend the deadlines associated with review of a 40B project while discussions between the Town and NY Ventures continue.
The date of the Select Board’s review of a potential alternative project, as well as the Board of Appeal's initial review of the 40B application, will be made available as soon as possible.
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Update as of May 14, 2019:
Representatives of the Town of North Reading and the NY Ventures development team met on Monday afternoon, May 13th, to discuss the proposed development at 20 Elm Street. The meeting included the principal of NY Ventures Nick Yebba, Select Board liaisons to the Zoning Board of Appeals Andy Schultz and Steve O’Leary, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, and Town Planner Danielle McKnight. Town Counsel and NY Venture’s counsel and consultants were also in attendance.
At the meeting, Town officials reviewed the Town’s previously outlined concerns regarding the proximity of some of the proposed buildings to properties on Lynn Street, the height of the proposed buildings, and the overall density of the proposed development. Discussions were productive and the participants agreed that progress was made toward addressing the Town’s concerns while considering site and market constraints. NY Ventures will review its development proposal in consideration of the Town’s feedback. The parties agreed to meet again soon to further discuss alternatives, and will continue to keep the public apprised of the progress of discussions. The outcome of the discussions will be subject to either a zoning bylaw amendment or an application for a Comprehensive Permit pursuant to G.L., c. 40B, either of which include the opportunity for public input
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The Town has been notified that NY Ventures has received site approval from MassHousing for its proposed Chapter 40B project at 20 Elm Street. The determination from MassHousing states that the site “appears to be generally eligible” and includes the identification of specific issues that “should be addressed in [the] application to the North Reading Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA” for a Comprehensive Permit and fully explored in the public hearing process prior to submission of [the] application for final approval under the Program.” Information regarding the proposed "Chapter 40B" housing development to be located at 20 Elm Street, including the letter from MassHousing received on March 28th, may be found by clicking here. The specific items to be “addressed” are on page 4 of the letter.
Town officials are reviewing the site approval letter with the assistance of Town Counsel to determine potential next steps regarding this project.