The Parc at Medfield Receives Final Town Approval

A 92-unit affordable housing apartment complex gained final approval from the town of Medfield Thursday.

The Conservation Commission unanimously endorsed a 92-point Order of Conditions that will require the developer to safeguard a pond and other wetlands on the site. Several of the conditions relate to the developer making sure that the site is maintained through construction, to protect sediment from reaching wetlands, town officials said.

The town's Zoning Board of Appeals earlier this year had approved the plans, which would place 92 residential apartments in four buildings on the site, off West Street.

The groundbreaking could take place in the spring, project agents said Thursday. Over the next several months, financing for the project will be assembled, said Jim Koningisor, of Gatehouse Group, the development company for the project.

The Conservation Commission had few questions for the project officials Thursday. The most discussion pertained to whether to restrict the apartment complex manager from using chemical de-icing agents during winter. Originally one of the conditions, it was waived when Koningisor argued that it would pose a safety hazard to the apartment residents.

"We have sidewalks. We have a driveway. We have a connection with West Street," he said. "We can't be prohibited from de-icing. it creates a dangerous situation for residents."

Conservation Commission members agreed. "It becomes a safety issue we have to acknowledge," said member Robert Kennedy.

The Conservation Commission in its next meeting will sign the documents approving the project, called The Parc at Medfield. The project was initiated as a state application under the affordable housing act, which requires all communities or regions to have at least 10 percent of the housing stock priced at an "affordable" level.