At the 4/11 session of the Milton Planning Board Chairman Alex Whiteside reported out some of the key elements of a discussion that took place regarding the development of the Hendries site. If the vested parties follow through it would represent a remarkable about face in the evolution of plans for the building.
The meeting was convened at the request of State Senator Brian A. Joyce. It was attended by Mr. Whiteside, Tom Hurley, Chair of the Board of Selectmen, Senator Joyce, resident and attorney Peter Mullin, resident and architect Cheryl Tougias, Milton Planning Director William Clark, and Steve and Jerry Connelly. The Connellys own the property and are the principals of Carrick Realty Trust and 131 Eliot LLC. The former was the applicant for a special permit to build a mixed use development at the site. That permit was denied by the Planning Board. The Connellys then formed 131 Eliot LLC and filed an application for a 72 unit 40B residential apartment building. (Note: the reason for the change in business entity is to address a requirement for filing a 40B). The selectmen recently submitted a request to have the comment period on that 40B application extended.
The purpose of the meeting was to see “if there was room for movement on something other than a 40B plan.” Mr. Whiteside said modifications discussed to the plan that was denied included but were not limited to:
Moving the entire building back an additional 10′ feet from Central Avenue. One of with the initial proposal was lack of setbacks for the upper floors to mitigate the massing of the building as it faces the street. Moving the whole building back would also achieve that though how that in turn would impact the parking originally at rear of the building was unclear
The concept of shared parking spots was introduced. That is, parking spots used by businesses during the day and by residents in the evenings. There was also discussion of expanding the ground floor parking, eliminating two storefronts. There would still be commercial space on ground floor but space would be reduced.
The idea of residential / businesses on second floor was also discussed. Mr. Whiteside said this would satisfy the commercial requirement. Home-based businesses would work in that case.
The building would otherwise be essentially the same as what was initially proposed. Whiteside said that the Connellys might create a “pocket park” near the trolley stop. He said the proposal would be a new application and would be vetted with the neighborhood. If the response was positive Whiteside’s hope was to have a hearing in and evening “and voting that night.”
He concluded, “We think we are making progress here. . . Senator Joyce deserves a lot of credit and we are grateful to hi.”
Whether the Connellys agree that progress is being made and whether or not they endorse the proposed changes and will act on them is not known at this time.
The board also discussed the status of 17 Canton Avenue. At a previous session Mr. Sheffield, an attorney representing the applicant, said he would supply the board with specs regarding the noise mitigation of air conditioning units to be installed. Mr. Sheffield did not appear nor did he submit any specs. Consequently, no vote was taken.
The board also discussed bringing on an assistant town planner. The members present (Members Kelly and Lynch were absent) acknowledged that Planning Director William Clark had an excessive work load and they intend to work up a formal request for the personnel board.