Changes May Be Coming To Swampscott Housing Complex Proposal

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Residents who want to have their opinions and potential concerns heard on the proposed five-story development at Elm Place will have their chance Thursday night.

WinnDevelopment will host a public meeting on the project at 6:30 p.m. where the designers plan to provide an update and "options to improve and refine the design, program and amenities of the project."

A link to the remote meeting can be found here.

Neighbors have expressed objections to the scale of the project, which they said is too big for the area footprint, and the effects it would have on parking, traffic congestion and demand for town services.

Originally planned to create 128 rental units, 64 percent of which would be affordable housing at below-market rates.

A Change.org petition, which had 896 signatures as of Monday afternoon, is calling for changes in the proposal and also questions the viability of having an apartment unit directly next to the train tracks.

WinnCompanies issued a statement to Patch in February in response to project criticism when its plans were presented at a Swampscott Select Board meeting.

"We take seriously the comments of town officials regarding the proposed development as well as the feedback we sought from abutters, residents and community groups during the past two months," the Elm Place Development Team said on behalf of WinnCompanies. "We are revising the proposal to address the concerns expressed at Wednesday's Select Board meeting and will share our improvements in the weeks ahead.

"We look forward to working with all the parties to advance an improved plan for the development of this important mixed-income."

The 40B nature of the development means that the state can approve the project without adhering to all town bylaws or wishes.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Elm Place Developers Pledge Revised Proposal For Swampscott Units