Zoning Board to Take Up Condo Projects Again

The Zoning Board of Appeals will take up two proposed condominium projects again Wednesday – one for eight units at and a revised proposal for thesite on Humphrey Street that would have 15 units.

The proposed condo units for the Cap'n Jack's Inn site are likely to draw a large crowd to comment on the proposed changes that were unveiled last week for the Planning Board. At that hearing, Parturk owner Bruce Paradise said the proposal for the 75-year-old waterfront inn eliminates the penthouse and lowers the roof line by seven feet in an effort to satisfy critics.

One objection to the original design for the proposed two-story project was that it was too massive for the site. The other major objection was that it would block views of the ocean for pedestrians and drivers along Humphrey Street.

Paradise told the Planning Board that the new design is a significant improvement over the current three-building Cap'n Jack's Inn site, which often has its views of the ocean blocked by cars.

“For views of the ocean, this is going to be better,” Paradise said.

Unlike the previous Planning Board and Zoning Board hearings on this condo project, only two neighbors, Dan Bernardazzi and Christine Dolan, appeared to comment on the project. Both supported the project. In previous hearings more than a dozen neighbors appeared to oppose the project, but none showed up for the Planning Board meeting.

The two supportive neighbors said they like the design of the building. Bernardazzi said it would be a great improvement to have the cars in an underground garage, instead of parked all over the Cap'n Jack's site.

Both neighbors worried that if this project is not approved, something less desirable might be offered in its place.

Planning Board members said there is concern that the project will be sold for affordable housing.

100 Burrill Street

The condos at 100 Burrill Street, proposed by Michael DiPaltzi, who bought the property out of foreclosure, would have eight units, none of which would be affordable units.

The Burrill Street project is a scaled-down version of a 12-unit proposal that the board rejected a couple of years ago. At the last hearing, it faced no strong opposition. But board member Peter Spellinos delivered a scathing review, told architect Peter Pittman the Federalist-style design for the condos needed improvement to “match other buildings in Swampscott.”

Member Harry Pass suggested that Pittman design a more decorative entrance on Burrill Street, which several board members described as an important street in Swampscott.

Board Chairman Marc Kornitsky said he liked the project much better than the previous one with 12 units. “Overall the plan is well thought out. There are a lot of positives here,” he said.

Spellinos disagreed. He said he is not sure the eight-unit project would be better for the community than the proposed 12 condos, three of which would have been priced lower to allow more demographic diversity in the area.

Architect Peter Pittman said the proposed units would be more expensive and fewer of them. They will be upscale units with granite countertops, he said.