Over-55 Condo Proposal Awaits Peer Review

On Monday the Planning Board postponed talks about a drainage study for the until the study gets reviewed by an independent engineer.

Board members moved the Villas item to their June 11, meeting.

The lawyer for the developer, Ken Shutzer, said the independent review may not be completed by that date so the board may need to further postpone the item. 

The Villas proposal by developer Ralph DiGiorgio with DiGiorgio & Messina is for 16 one- and two-story condos for people over 55 years old. 

The Planning Board is reviewing the Villas site plan and will make a recommendation on it to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The condos are proposed for 4.87 acres of undeveloped land bordered by Archer Street and Vaughan Place.

Neighbors whose major concern is that the project will add to existing flooding problems have challenged the development at both ZBA and Planning Board meetings.

Back in March that the developer do an expanded study of the topography and drainage in the area so it indicates the project's influence not just on abutting properties but properties beyond those lots.

In April the ZBA asked for a clearer presentation of the developer’s drainage study.

The Swampscott Department of Public Works has also raised concerns about project drainage, including the use of existing catch basins in the storm water management plan. 

Also Monday the Planning Board postponed until June 1,1 a revised plan to demolish a deteriorated house and garage at 67 Salem St and replace it with another single-family home and garage.

The revision includes a request for setback relief on two corners of the lot.

The Planning Board is scheduled to review the request and make a recommendation to the ZBA.