East Bridgewater Zoning Board Hears Proposal for 240-Unit Housing Development
Residents raise concerns about traffic, infrastructure impacts
EAST BRIDGEWATER, MA - July 10 - The East Bridgewater Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday night heard an initial presentation for a proposed 240-unit housing development that would significantly boost the town's affordable housing stock.
Developer JSC Holdings, LLC is seeking a comprehensive permit under Chapter 40B to construct the project across 74 acres off Winter Street and North Bedford Street (Route 18). The proposal includes 80 townhouse units and 160 apartment units spread across four buildings.
"This is a long drawn out process. Tonight's gonna be just like a more meet and greet. So we can understand what they're proposing," said Zoning Board Chairman Robert Looney at the start of the hearing.
Attorney Peter Freeman, representing the applicant, said 25% of the units (60 total) would be designated as affordable housing. All 160 apartment units would count towards the town's subsidized housing inventory under state guidelines.
The project would be built in four phases, with the first phase consisting of townhouses off Winter Street. The townhouses would be 3-bedroom units with 1-car garages, while the apartments would offer a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom options.
According to Freeman, East Bridgewater is currently at just 3.39% on its subsidized housing inventory, well below the 10% threshold set by the state. The proposed development would provide a significant boost towards that target.
However, several residents raised concerns about potential impacts from the project, particularly related to traffic, infrastructure capacity, and school enrollment.
Christy Barry of Summer Street said she was "surprised that the traffic survey did not take into consideration the condition of that road, how narrow it is" in reference to Winter Street.
"I travel it every day going to work," Barry said. "There are times that Winter Street is shut down because it's flooded across the field right after Captain's Way. So we have to detour to Alger. This hasn't been fixed in all the years I've been here."
The traffic study presented estimated 124 new vehicle trips during peak hours. But some residents questioned whether the data was outdated, having potentially been collected during COVID-19 restrictions.
Other concerns centered on water and sewer capacity, with one resident citing a recent Board of Health meeting that indicated the project would exceed daily gallon limits for sewer connections to Brockton.
Zoning Board members said they would be hiring a peer review engineer to evaluate the plans and studies submitted. They also plan to invite town department heads to the next hearing to address residents' questions.
The hearing was continued to August 7 at 7 p.m., when it will reconvene at the high school auditorium. No new notices will be sent out for the continuation.
While acknowledging residents' concerns, board members noted the town has limited ability to outright reject 40B proposals given its current affordable housing stock.
"If we turn them down completely, my own opinion, speaking individually, I think we're losing in court and spending a lot of money," Looney said. "This is the opportunity to somewhat have some say in it and stuff."