Slight Changes Made To Downtown Mixed-Use Proposal

MANSFIELD, MA — The planning board could vote on a proposed development next to the intersection of North Main Street and Chauncy Street later this month.

The board spent last Wednesday night hearing about changes made to the proposed mixed-use development at North Main and Thomas streets from Marco Crugnale. The number of units has been slightly decreased from 102 to 100 while parking is up from 149 to 150, giving the building 1.5 spots per unit.

Parking has been realigned with tandem parking spaces down from 11 to five and spaces in the retail zone are gone.

About 11,600 square feet of retail space is slated for the ground floor, along with some storage for the tenants.Despite some discussion about what defines retail and commercial use, town inspector Robert Blackman has signed off on the ground level, meaning that the use of first level retail for storage and laundry is alright.

"I really think, my take on this that there’s a commercial transaction that takes place. If you look at a dictionary definition of retail it’s a commercial transaction of any goods and services.," Town Planner Shaun Burke said.

The board also signed off on the tandem parking plan, despite some objections.

"I don’t think the parking works. It’s too many units. I think it’s too much and I think the parking ought to be better," board member Thomas French said.

The project is due back in front of the board for a likely vote June 20.

Image: File Photo