Apartments Proposed Across From Yentile Farm

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington town meeting voters will decide May 1 on a zoning change to permit housing to be built across from Yentile Farm.

Article 58 of the town meeting warrant would rezone two parcels on Cross Street from General Business to Residential, as previously reported by the Wilmington Apple.

The article was discussed at a recent Planning Board - Finance Committee joint meeting. Petitioner Jonathan main, who owns the property, and attorney Rob Peterson spoke to the committees.

"Development of this parcel as a residential development in lieu of commercial development would be much more beneficial to the town and the area in particular as the parcel is located directly across from the entrance of Yentile Park," Peterson said.

Main, a town resident, bought the parcel with the goal of building an apartment complex. He has built two buildings in Wakefield, Peterson noted.

Details of the project have not been nailed down, as the zoning change would be an early step in the planning process, Main said. But when purchasing the project, he "stress-tested" a range from 15 to 25 units.

Fifteen percent of units would have to be affordable, Planning Director Valerie Gingrich said.

The property includes wetlands but Main and Peterson said Main is prepared for that; he has degrees in environmental sciences and his two Wakefiled projects abut wetlands.

The property's size will be dependent on studies of the wetlands effects, Main said. He also would do a traffic study, he said.

The warrant is available here and the meeting video here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.