Court Battle On: Greenwood Avenue Neighbors vs Town

Today in Boston Land Court a case starts that challenges a Swampscott bylaw amendment rezoning the Greenwood Middle School and allowing substantially higher density, the court record states.

Arthur MacLeod and at least 12 other plaintiffs maintain the rezoning is "spot" zoning and impermissable.

A number of Greenwood Avenue residents have said at local meetings that the development's traffic and density — 41 residential units — would destroy the neighborhood's character.

The town of Swampscott denies that the rezoning is impermissable.

Groom Construction is proposing to buy the old Middle School building from the town and tear it down. It would replace it with a 41-unit condominum building.

Developers have said that the building is deteriorating and has limited historical significance left, and to preserve it would cost much more than to demolish it. 

The Greenwood neighbors are represented by lawyer Carl D. Goodman.

The town is represented by lawyer Patricia A. Cantor.

The case is estimated to last three days.

It is taking place at 3 Pemberton Square, near Government Center, in Boston and starts at 9:30 am Wednesday.