EB Zoning Board Grapples with Complex Multi-Phase Housing Proposal
Residents voice concerns over traffic impact, road conditions as board reviews 240-unit development
EAST BRIDGEWATER - December 11 - The East Bridgewater Zoning Board of Appeals is reviewing a complex 240-unit housing proposal that includes four phases of development. The board met to discuss various aspects of the project, including traffic impact, stormwater management, and adherence to local and state regulations.
The proposed development, presented by attorney Rob Pellegrini, consists of 80 townhouses off Winter Street and three apartment buildings with 40 units each along Route 18. The project falls under the state's Chapter 40B affordable housing law, which allows developers to bypass certain local zoning restrictions if at least 25% of the units are designated as affordable.
Traffic concerns dominated much of the discussion, with residents expressing worry about the impact on Winter Street. Mary Walsh, a local resident, said, "You can't fit a white line. Me and my kids go riding bikes down there, and everyone has to stop so that they can go around me. No one can pass each other."
Pellegrini addressed these concerns, stating, "Winter Street is 24 feet wide. So it's standard width for roadways for the town of East Bridgewater and most towns as well." He added that the project plans include trimming trees along the property line to improve visibility and access.
Jeff Bandini, Senior Project Manager of Nitsch Engineering, presented updated traffic studies conducted in September. "We found that the data was very similar to what we collected in 2024 from 2021, be that some level of shift in peak-hour traffic, modes of travel, or just population shift and things like that," Bandini said.
The board's traffic consultant, Steve Shekari from APEX, noted that most of the applicant's responses to their comments were satisfactory. However, some issues remain, including concerns about crash data at nearby intersections and the need for potential pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.
Stormwater management was another key topic. Deb Keller of Merrill Engineers and Surveyors explained that the project now meets local stormwater requirements, including retaining one inch of runoff over the total impervious area and achieving 90% TSS removal rate and 60% phosphorus treatment.
The board also heard from Town Administrator Charlie Seelig, who provided financial projections for the project. Seelig stated, "Property taxes will be valued. Obviously, it's a projection at this point since nothing's been built yet. But when we were looking at the sanitary sewer project and trying to value how much we would receive in property taxes, the Assessor came up with a figure of $68 million for the value of the project."
Residents raised additional concerns about road conditions, trash collection, and the potential for future changes to the development. The board emphasized that many aspects of the project, including road improvements and trash collection, would be subject to further review and permitting processes.
Board Chairman Robert Looney stressed the complexity of the review process, saying, "You can see it's more than just us that are involved in this. We're the people that, you know, 40B is its own animal, and the only way to really get out of 40B is if you're already having 10% of threshold, and this town has 3.9%, so we don't have 10%."
The board continued the hearing to Jan. 8 at 7:15 p.m. at the high school, with an additional meeting scheduled for Feb. 12. These meetings will focus on zoning matters and further review of the project's details.