Planning Board Meeting

On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, the Braintree Planning Board voted 4-0 to favorably recommend the project to the Braintree Town Council for consideration. Please find relevant information below.

For all information related to the Braintree Planning Board, please visit their website here.

Staff Report Favorable Recommendation

STAFF REPORT # 2 Update and Recommendation

Since the August Public Hearing the Planning Staff have been working with the Karl Seidman on coordinating Town Departments participation, data collection and question answering. The work also included an on-site meeting with several Town Departments including Mayor Joyce. Mr. Seidman has completed his review and issued a report on October 2, 2024, which he will present at the Planning Board Public Hearing on Tuesday. While the report details al the sections that were reviewed by the Peer consultant the summary states:

In summary, the Fiscal Impact Analysis provides a sound and reasonable assessment of the proposed project's direct impact on Town revenues and expenses. Its conclusion that the project will provide a substantial positive net fiscal impact is sound. Based on my analysis of the likely assessed valuation range for the project and the potential for lower cost impacts, the net positive fiscal impact is likely to be between $400,000 and $600,000.

In addition to the PEER work, the Staff has had an opportunity to work with the Applicant Team to fine tune the MUPUD text to ensure the overlay is comprehensive, complete and covers al the language to ensure the proposed

text is compliant with 135-612. Both a redline version and a clean copy are attached. The MUPUD Ordinance is just that and NOT a Special Permit Decision. All of the items specifically related to the Site Plan Review criteria and PUD Special Permit Criteria will be addressed in future Decisions when and if sought.

The Planning Staff is in a position to recommend that this MUPUD Zoning move forward. The Town and State's policies on development and housing are clear. If people are not spending money and creating new real estate growth in Braintree are financial base isn't growing either. The trends in new retail centers and transitioning older centers al provide for Residential uses. The live, work, model is alive and thriving in Massachusetts and it's time that Braintree uses their existing retail stock, land and excess infrastructure for something more productive. The days of empty parking lots, excess asphalt, open space with no public use or recreating benefit need to end. This zoning process has allowed and further encouraged discussion and dialogue with Town Staff, the Administration and Residents. The dialogue has been informative, cooperative and educational. Allowing the SSP to diversify and partner with ZOM living is the first step in transforming the Regional Shopping Center in a manner that will serve the public and benefit the community as a whole. This process has enabled the Planning Staff to complete the analysis, work with the appropriate professionals and most of all have dialogue with several residents both in favor and opposition. There is no development without dialogue. Our Master Plan highlighted the SPP as a transition area, this MUPUD proposal is one of many steps this Town will take to aide in that transition. For the reasons contained in this Staff Report the Planning Staff recommends the Planning Board make a favorable recommendation on this Zoning Text and Map Amendment.

Peer Review of Fiscal Impact Analysis for ZOM Residences at South Shore PUD District prepared by Fougere Planning and Development, Inc.

In summary, the Fiscal Impact Analysis provides a sound and reasonable assessment of the proposed project’s direct impact on Town revenues and expenses. Its conclusion that the project will provide a substantial positive net fiscal impact is sound. Based on my analysis of the likely assessed valuation range for the project and the potential for lower cost impacts, the net positive fiscal impact is likely to be between $400,000 and $600,000.

Read the full peer review report here.