by Frank Schroth

A 40B plan has been filed with the state to develop a residential property on the site of the Hendries building on the corner of Eliot and Central by 131 Eliot Street LLC. The proposed building will have 72 residential units according to a member of the development team. Details will follow as more information becomes available.

This is the second 40B proposal to be made in Milton recently. The other proposal is for a large apartment complex (~270 units) on Brush Hill Road. “Chapter 40B is a state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.” Usually this translates into a building or buildings of a higher density than the local zoning allows. Milton is exposed to 40B developments because its affordable housing inventory is well below the state 10% requirement. Milton’s current inventory of affordable housing is ~4.5%.

A special permit to develop a mixed use development on the site was denied by the Planning Board last August. Since that time a demolition order was issued; but the status of that is murky.

The commercial neighborhood where the building sits has seen significant revitalization in the last year. This is largely due to a small but vibrant cafe, The Plate, and a large, equally vibrant restaurant, Steel & Rye.