Remember the controversial housing project at Braintree’s South Shore Plaza? It took a big step forward.
The project, now smaller, has won a key Planning Board vote.
It has required an all-out political war to get to this point, but housing may be coming to New England’s largest mall soon.
The Braintree Planning Board earlier this week approved a zoning plan that would pave the way for national housing developer ZOM Living to build a 325-unit apartment complex on the parking lots behind the South Shore Plaza. It would be the largest housing development in Braintree’s history, tapping into a mixed-use model that has been used to revitalize malls in recent years.
The project is not fully approved yet; the Town Council still has to approve the zoning plan for the site, and then the Planning Board has to issue a special permit approving the project plans. But this week’s vote marks a significant political shift. Last year, ZOM’s original proposal sparked one of the ugliest local battles over a housing development in recent memory, with ZOM eventually retreating. Now ZOM is back, with momentum to make the project a reality, after last fall’s local elections swung against former Mayor Charles Kokoros, who vehemently opposed the project and promised to veto it if it got to his desk.
Challenger Erin Joyce, who unseated Kokoros, has said she’s supportive of the idea of housing at the mall.
Braintree’s Planning Board has also changed its tune; last year the five-member voted down ZOM’s project 3-2. This time? The board, which has just one new member since last year, was unanimous in favor.
“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 town planning department wrote in its recommendation. “The days of empty parking lots, excess asphalt, open space with no public use or recreating benefit need to end.”
ZOM’s new $140 million proposal is a smaller version of the nearly 500 units the developer originally wanted to spread across two buildings at the 9-acre site behind the plaza. Now it will be 325 apartments in one four-story building. ZOM says it made significant changes, including adding more open space to the site and reducing the number of apartments, in response to residents’ concerns. The developer also says the project would bring in desperately needed tax revenue as the town seeks to dig out of a budget shortfall that some town officials say has been driven by a resistance to growth.
It appears the developer’s message has been better received than it was on their first try.
Last year, the response was so fierce that opponents took over public meetings shouting down public officials, and planted signs decrying the “monster project” in front yards across town. Some said the political divides the project created would take years to heal.
But this week, the planning board meeting featured a mix of reactions from residents, including some vocal supporters.
“For too long this town has focused on what we were and not what we need to be,” said resident Sara Forster. “The ZOM project is not just a development, but a catalyst to open the doors to a brighter future. Should our developments be thoughtful and with intent? 100%. Should be mindful of our neighborhoods? of course. But we should also look to build up areas where commercial retail and housing can be nestled together to create its own neighborhood.”
Of course, there is still significant opposition. Opponents plastered “monster project” signs to the windows at the back of the room the Planning Board met in. They said it would overwhelm the town’s sewer infrastructure, tower over single-family neighborhoods, and increase crime.
“Its quite obvious that this whole thing sounds like a backroom deal,” said Kelly Moore, president of the North Braintree Civic Association, the group that has led the opposition. “You’ve got the mayor, town council, ZOM’s attorney… all aligned to jam this through no matter what the residents feel. This is a giant middle finger to the residents of Braintree.”
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