Published in the July 21, 2018 edition
By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The town got its first look at “Greenwood Station,” a 27-unit 40B apartment building proposed for 998-1000 Main Street when the developer’s representative gave an introductory presentation to the Town Council Monday night.
The site is within 2500 feet of the Greenwood commuter rail stop and on MBTA Bus Routes 136 & 137, providing access to the Oak Grove MBTA Orange Line Station. It is across the street from Greenwood Plaza, an existing commercial development. The site is sandwiched between two adjacent multi-family developments.
Geoff Engler, vice president of SEB, LLC, provided an overview of the project’s site plans, initial architectural plans, fiscal impacts and a general overview of traffic impacts. SEB is a consulting firm in planning, developing, selling and/or leasing multi-family housing through the Chapter 40B comprehensive permit process.
The four-story building will have parking for 30 cars on the ground level with three levels of residential units above. Engler said that there are currently two residential homes with three rental units on the proposed site, which is a combination of two parcels.
He said that there is a natural topographical barrier in the rear that will remain untouched and provide a buffer between the proposed project and the single-family homes behind it. He noted that the site is narrow at Main Street but deep, so only the narrow end of the building would face Main Street, not the full width of the building.
Engler asserted that the project was “as good a project and as good a location as you will find for mixed-income, multi-family housing.” He stressed that under 40B regulations, all 27 units will count toward the towns affordable housing inventory, not just the seven designated as “affordable.”
He said that there will be 12 one-bedroom units, 12 two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units.
Asked about parking, Engler said that 30 off-street parking spaces are proposed. He maintained that some tenants will likely be commuters who will not even own a car.
Engler admitted that the project has a long permitting process to go through with the Zoning Board of Appeals. “We look forward to the public hearing process and a collaborative process throughout,” he said.
Engler maintained that the rental project would appeal to several demographics: young professionals, empty nesters and single parents. “It’s in a superior location that will appeal to lots of different groups,” he said.
Town Councilor Paul DiNocco advised Engler of the history of parking issues between the Greenwood Plaza businesses and other stores in the area and noted that there is already stiff competition for off-street parking. Engler said that the fact that there is only one parking space provided per unit, will tend to be self-limiting in terms of vehicle ownership by tenants. He also said that there were also things the town could require in the permitting process to address parking.
Councilor Mehreen Butt observed that it was a good location, close to the commuter rail. She looked forward to the board receiving updates as the project wends its way through the permitting process.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio noted that after the Greenwood project and another 40B planned on Tarrant Lane, Wakefield should be at the 10 percent affordable housing threshold. Once a town reaches 10 percent, it has more ability to control future 40B applications.
The Town Council approved a letter from Maio to MassHousing acknowledging the town’s interest in the project.
