Natick Project Receives Zoning Board Approval After Lengthy Process

NATICK, MA - The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a comprehensive permit Thursday night to construct a mixed-use housing development at the former St. Patrick's School site, moving the project one step closer to fruition after a lengthy process.

Natick's Stonegate Group purchased the property at 45 East Central St. at Route 135 seven years ago. The project faced some pandemic-related hurdles as well as a revision to the plans in June 2020.

The project's being able to include a commercial entity was contingent upon a 2020 Town Meeting vote to extend the downtown zoning mixed-use zoning district to include the school, but the Town Meeting date was delayed three times that summer due to COVID-19.

The development team also had to appear before town boards for several months to receive input before final approval could be granted by the ZBA.

Plans include 54 housing units, 14 of which will be affordable. There will also be restaurant and retail space. Because it is an affordable housing development under the state's Chapter 40B law, at least 20% of the units must be classified as affordable. Some will be set aside for households earning 80 percent of the area median income, or AMI, while others will be geared toward those who make 30 to 50 percent of the AMI.

ZBA Chair David Jackowitz acknowledged at the beginning of the meeting that the process has been arduous.

“By my count, this is, I think, hearing number nine," he said. "And we’ve come a long way, baby.”

There was some minor editing changes made to the final plans for language before the 5-0 vote.

With this approval, the developer can apply for a building permit, moving the project closer to becoming reality.

Jackowitz thanked Town Counsel Lisa Mead and her partners for providing "sage wisdom" to the board on the project as well as civil engineer Joe Pazdola. He also thanked town departments for their input.

He also credited the applicant for the efforts made to enhance the project.

"I think you guys did a great job," Jackowitz said. "It was very professional.

"I think it's an exciting project," he continued. "You guys worked it out with the Board of Selectmen, and I think what happened in this board actually brought that vision to fruition. Kudos to everyone involved here, and I can’t wait to see this project get built and then someday have lunch and dinner at that restaurant."

Jackowitz referred to the project as "a real jewel of the town."

Stonegate President Dean Calivas said it has been "a really, really long journey" to provide the town with affordable housing as well as hopefully a restaurant and retailers that "will continue to energize Natick Center."

He added that he hoped the project would "become a model for other mixed-use developments in town."