Planning Board approves NeighborWorks housing proposal at 150–156 Quincy Street

The Quincy Planning Board unanimously approved the application for 150, 152 and 156 Quincy Street on Jan. 15, closing the continued public hearing and directing the planning department to prepare a formal favorable recommendation for the record at the board27s next meeting.

Edward Fleming, attorney for NeighborWorks, told the board the applicant had worked with the peer reviewer and city departments to address outstanding comments. Architect Mike Rauner and civil engineer Jim Burke described design revisions including moving the trash and gate to improve maneuverability, lowering and lengthening an accessible ramp for grade tolerance, added landscaping and snow-storage, and clarified parking and sidewalk grading.

Deputy Director Stevens acknowledged outstanding items (a traffic comment letter was still pending) but reported that the department was comfortable closing the hearing and giving the department time to finalize a recommendation. Several board members and councilors said they supported the project given the proponent's experience building supportive housing, and the applicant noted a forthcoming state funding decision.

The board motioned to close the public hearing and then moved to approve the application and to direct the planning department to draft a favorable recommendation for the Feb. 19 meeting; the motion passed unanimously.

The approval as recorded applies to the application as presented; the planning department will finalize written recommendations and any technical conditions before issuing a building permit or occupancy approvals.