Controversy Surrounds St. Joseph's Overhaul

A local developer intends to turn the erstwhile St. Joseph’s Church into a condominium complex, but some interested parties are not convinced his plan is the best for the Washington Street building.

According to an extensive report from the Daily Times Chronicle, on Wednesday evening, a 7-2 city council vote approved a zoning amendment allowing developer John Flaherty to request special permission to build six condos into the abandoned West Woburn house of worship, which he owns. Ward 5 Alderman Darlene Mercer-Bruen and Alderman At-Large Michael Concannon - the two “nay” votes - felt six condos would make the building excessively crowded, and pushed for four or five units instead.

To mitigate the concerns about density, Flaherty’s legal representation claimed half of the six units would be reserved for residents over the age of 55. However, the Daily Times Chronicle reports that one of the eight Woburn denizens who spoke at the meeting was highly dubious such a restriction could be meaningfully enforced. Another said the amendment “makes no sense” and felt her “neighborhood is under siege.” Others were less critical.

Read the original article here.