Elm Street Project Goes Before North Reading ZBA Thursday

NORTH READING, Ma. - The town is opposed to it. Representatives Brad Jones and senator Bruce Tarr are opposed to it. And based on letters sent to MassHousing, you are opposed to it. With wide-spread initial opposition to the proposed 200 units of rental housing on 19 acres along Elm Street, the 40B project will have its first hearing before a North Reading board Thursday when the Zoning Board of Appeals meets at 7 p.m. at the high school.

It's the start of what is sure to be a long process.

The developer, Nicholas Yebba of NY Ventures, LLC, and/or his attorney will appear before the board to begin the process of what they hope is approval of a project that would include 20 three-bedroom apartments, 80 two-bedroom apartments and 100 one-bedroom units.

The town has already expressed opposition to the development, saying in a letter to MassHousing that, "they have significant concerns with the Project as proposed, particularly related to its mass, scale, height, and potential environmental impacts on the Ipswich River watershed."

North Reading's two legislators have also joined the chorus, expressing their opposition in letters that, according to MassHousing, "suggested that North Reading has been proactive in developing a range of housing options, including through an existing 40R Smart Growth Overlay District and through recent approval of a comprehensive Housing Production Plan (HPP) in June of 2018. The Representative and Senator expressed concern that the proposed Project is not consistent with the HPP. They oppose the proposed Project and view it as inappropriate for the Site."

And you chimed in too. Of the 419 letters sent to MassHousing, just six residents supported the project. The entire MassHousing letter can be found here. Opposition also comes from the Defend Ipswich River Communities group, led by president Steve Valenti. The group is urging residents to attend Thursday's Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

With MassHousing giving site approval to the developer on March 27, it's now up to the town and it starts with the ZBA. The six-member volunteer board is composed of Paul O'Leary, James Demetri, Joe Keyes, and associate members Jennifer Platt, Bill Bellavance Jr., and Matt D'Angelo.

Expect numerous meetings, complicated legal issues, and frustration on both sides. And it starts Thursday.