Controversial 20-Unit Housing Development Proposed for Plain Street

Pembroke Zoning Board Hears Initial Presentation, Schedules Further Review

PEMBROKE, MA - July 29 - A proposal for a 20-unit rental housing development on Plain Street sparked debate at Monday's Pembroke Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, as residents raised concerns about potential traffic and infrastructure impacts.

Dean E. Harrison, housing consultant for Plain Street Estates LLC, presented the comprehensive permit application for the project under Chapter 40B, the state's affordable housing law. The development would consist of three buildings containing 12 one-bedroom, six two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom units on a 1.41-acre site at 52 Plain Street.

"We are here to work with the town in the process," Harrison said. "We're not here to come and just blow through all the Zoning Board of Appeals or the town's regulations."

Of the 20 proposed units, five would be designated as affordable housing for residents earning 80% or less of the area median income. Harrison emphasized the need for such housing, stating, "We're not here trying to solve the crisis that affordable housing has. We are here trying to do at least some good."

Residents in attendance expressed worries about the project's potential impacts. One attendee voiced concern about increased foot traffic, noting, "There's no sidewalk on that road. It's a very busy road."

The board voted to hire Merrill Engineering to conduct a peer review of the project plans. Board members also requested a traffic study be completed, emphasizing it should be done when school is in session to accurately reflect typical conditions.

"The traffic study should be done when school is back in session," noted Amy Kwesell, Pembroke Town Counsel. "We should have the traffic study done in September and we have time to look at that."

Board Chairman Frederick Casavant explained that public comment would be limited at this initial hearing to allow time for engineering review. "If everyone's talking before we don't have the actual project in front of us, we have a proposal," Casavant said. "We're going to have our engineer look at that and if he has issues, which he's probably gonna, they always do, and they might reduce units, they might change the way it's laid out."

The board scheduled the next hearing for September 16 to allow time for the peer review process. Casavant encouraged residents to review project documents on the town website and submit written comments if desired.

Harrison offered to speak with abutters directly, providing his contact information through the town clerk's office. "I'm willing to talk to abutters," he said. "Obviously, you know, hopefully we can keep it civil."

The comprehensive permit process under Chapter 40B allows developers to bypass certain local zoning restrictions if at least 20-25% of the proposed units are affordable. Towns that have not reached the state goal of 10% affordable housing are subject to these applications.