28 Greenwood Street
Status as of February 2023 - Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for March 22nd, 7:30PM
Developer - Greenwood Development LLC / Laura Szekely
Apartment Units - 40 (increase from original 28)
Affordable Units - 10 (80% AMI rate)
Off Street Parking Spots - 40
On June 29th 2022, outside developers held a public meeting to tell neighbors they are planning a new apartment complex at 28 Greenwood Street
During the meeting they described how they are planning to use explosives to clear the land
These explosives will be set off less than 200 feet from the Julian Steele House (senior housing),
a few yards away from homes above the ledge on Clifton Park, homes across the street and the Americana and Undercliff Terrace apartment / condo buildings.
And right next to the historic Wyman House
Don’t believe us? Watch the video of the meeting:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmro2nCLC1I
Or click HERE
Blasting out ledge is discussed about 30 minutes into the meeting
On Sept. 12th, the developer notified Mass Housing they were increasing the project from 28 to 40 units
The main building will have 38 units. The historic Wyman house will be expanded and turned into 2 3-bedroom units. The development will provide 28 parking spaces (no parking for guests).
The developers are invoking Chapter 40B; a state statute that allows local Zoning Boards to approve affordable housing developments under “flexible” rules when 20 - 25% of the units will have long term affordability restrictions
In addition to the Zoning Board of Appeals ruling on the use of blasting, the location of this development is not zoned for multi-unit development
While the developer has not yet submitted a formal application to the City, documents have been posted to the Development Review web site covering interactions with Mass Housing.
In November of 2021 the developer submitted a Site Approval Application to Mass Housing, identifying the site and their intention to build a 28 unit development under 40B regulations. On April 15th 2022, Mass Housing responded that the proposal appeared generally eligible for the program, subject to final review.
The City reviewed the initial proposal as part of the Site Approval Application, with the Mayor submitting a letter to Mass Housing on January 25th citing issues for the project including true affordability of the ‘affordable units’ and the developer’s inexperience with affordable housing development.
In September of 2022 the developer notified Mass Housing of the increased number of units (40) based on their purchase of abutting land at 54 Greenwood Street. Mass Housing responded on September 19th indicating the increased number of units did not represent a substantial change to the project, allowing it to proceed. Mayor Brodeur responded on September 26th asking for an immediate re-review the project based on the increased number of units.
Project Timeline through October 2022
10 Citizen’s Concerns for 28 Greenwood Street
This project creates public safety concerns not only during construction, but long after trucks and workers have left the site. Flooding and erosion, increased traffic, additional demands for fire, police and school resources.
There are also concerns beyond public safety.
This project has the potential to impact decisions on future development parcels - putting any slope and greenspace in the city in danger of being destroyed.
Additionally, the location is not zoned for multi-unit buildings.
BLASTING: 30 - 40 days of blasting the 60 foot grade ledge puts surrounding homes and buildings - including the historic Weston Wyman home - at risk for structural damage and potential collapse
EROSION & FLOODING: Elimination of significant amounts of earthwork, trees and rocks increases rain, ice and snow runoff - potentially flooding Greenwood Street and properties along Greenwood Street and the basement of the Julian Steele House.
PUBLIC SAFETY: Weakened rock formations and shifting ledge could fall onto properties and people below. Increased traffic on an already busy street will lead to increased accidents and decreased safety for senior pedestrians that live in the immediate area.
INFRASTRUCTURE: Who will fund future municipal infrastructure upgrades to support the ballooning number of people and vehicles? What about increased demands on fire, police and schools?
TOPOGRAPHY: Turning a lush rock ledge with more than a 25% grade into a 90 degree naked rock face that will drastically change the natural character and landscape of the lot. Visit 60 - 70 Sylvan Street to see what this would look like.
HEIGHT: Rising 12 - 15 feet higher than the next-door Americana apartments, the rooftop deck and HVAC units will loom over Greenwood. The fourth floor will be eye level with the first floor of Clifton Park properties.
ZONING: This parcel is not zoned for multi-unit development, even though it sits next to the Americana apartments.
CONSERVATION: This property falls within 100 feet of designated conservation land
HISTORY: Built between 1825 - 1830, the Weston Wyman home has connections to early Melrose industry, the Civil War and the Underground Railroad. In 1974 it was officially entered ino the MA historical Commission’s inventory of Historic & Archeological Assets
AESTHETICS: The building design does not keep with the look and feel of single / multi family homes in the immediate area, or blend with the historic Wyman house
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