A decision from Suffolk County Land Court has returned the disputed Zoning Board denial regarding an affordable housing proposal on Broadway to the Chelsea Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), accompanied by a revised plan.
Last year, The Neighborhood Developers (TND) partnered with Traggorth Development to present the ZBA with plans for 1005 Broadway, featuring predominantly affordable housing. The proposal faced an unexpected defeat in a close vote, with community members advocating for modifications that would increase homeownership options.
Following the developers’ appeal, Land Court has now referred the revised proposal back to the ZBA for review in the coming month.
TND Project Manager Steve Laferriere stated: “The Traggorth Companies and The
Neighborhood Developers have settled our appeal of the ZBA’s decision to deny a
special permit for our proposed project at 1005 Broadway,” “The terms of Settlement revised the initial proposal
based on feedback from the ZBA, and allow us to have new public hearings in
front of the ZBA and Planning Board. We are excited that the revised project
remains a great opportunity to create 38 affordable apartments for Chelsea
families and provide publicly accessible open space adjacent to Mill Creek.”
The updated proposal removes the commercial portion and reduces the Broadway-facing height from five stories to four stories. The unit total has decreased from 42 to 38. In this revised version, all 38 units will be rental apartments affordable to lower-income households.
During the appeal process, the developers and ZBA kept the matter in abeyance, according to City Attorney Cheryl Fisher Watson.
She explained: “It is the Parties hope that a revised
petition is considered by the ZBA with a public process,” “The ZBA
wants public input as to all decisions if possible.”
City Manager Tom Ambrosino has indicated his support for the revised project.