The Zoning Board of Appeals on July 17 approved a redesigned proposal by Hyde Development LLC to build three 16-unit residential buildings on Slade Street, totaling 48 units, after the applicant reduced building massing and provided a traffic study.
Developer attorney Thomas Killoran and the project’s civil engineer presented a substantially reworked plan that reduced the number of buildings and added green space and internal walkways. The revised layout, the applicant said, tucked the buildings away from Slade Street and kept a commercial building on a separate lot unchanged.
Why it matters: the project replaces an earlier application for six buildings and 72 units that generated concern from nearby condominium residents about views, congestion and emergency access. The applicant hired a traffic consultant; the submitted study estimated one additional traffic trip approximately every 90 seconds during peak hours and concluded the roadway would not sustain a significant impact.
Board action: the ZBA found the revised plan “not substantially more detrimental” to the neighborhood and approved the special permit requests, including relief to allow parking within 10 feet of certain lot lines as shown on the plan. Conditions include compliance with the site-plan review process, final engineering and coordination with the Fire Department and other city departments on access and stormwater management.
Public response: testimony at the hearing included both support and opposition. A local property owner and a city economic-development official spoke in favor, citing the city’s low housing vacancy rate and the project’s potential to add housing stock. Condominium residents across Slade Street submitted letters and raised concerns about traffic, emergency vehicle access, guest parking and building height. The board and the applicant said that site-plan review, including input from the Fire Department and engineering staff, will address operational and access issues.
Next steps: the project moves to site-plan review where engineering details, stormwater/infiltration plans and final driveway/access geometry will be reviewed and approved by relevant city departments before construction permits can be issued.