The November 13 joint Zoning Board of Appeals and Select Board meeting centered around whether the ZBA can grant a Variance for the Heron Cove Estates project off Route 6 near the Wareham line.
The project, which has been in the works for several years, once proposed 125 apartment units with around 20-percent affordable apartments, in accordance with the state Chapter 40B guidelines.
However, Steen Realty and Development Corporation has since modified the project. It is now proposing 57 town houses and is still debating as to whether to sell all at market value and pay more money to the town or mark approximately four below market value.
According to officials, Steen representatives have cited a financial hardship with the initial plan. They cited a large hill in that area, which would hike excavation costs, as well as the rising costs of building supplies.
Select Board members Randy Parker, John Hoagland, and Normal Hills all spoke in favor of the project.
The ZBA members were divided, however. Some members questioned if the ZBA could legally grant a variance, given that new plans call for lots much smaller than the average in Marion. Some ZBA members said that there may be less financial gain for the town, given how the project has been scaled down.
They also questioned if the homes would put higher stress on town services, such as higher school enrollment, as well as more emergency calls, given that Steen is now proposing single-family homes.
Select Board Vice Chair John Hoagland said that the scaled-down version of the project will likely attract older people without families. He said the development would connect to the town’s sewer and water, helping improve that infrastructure, as well as make road improvements in that area.
Hoagland also said that the development’s close proximity to town businesses would be a boon to the local economy. He and other Select Board members said the developer has also promised around $500,000 to the town in addition to tax revenue.
Member William Tifft said because of the project’s close proximity to Wareham, it might bring more business to that town instead.
Others questioned whether the project should trigger a Town Meeting vote in the form of a zoning change or a Planning Board review before the ZBA could act on it. Chair Cynthia Callow and Town Administrator Geoffrey Gorman stressed that the granting of a variance is well within the ZBA’s jurisdiction, despite changes to the project.
The ZBA did not vote on the matter. The joint-session was designed for the ZBA to gather more facts about the changes and eventually decide if financial hardship should trigger the need for a variance approval.
In other ZBA news, the board granted three variances, one for the building of a pier, and two for home additions.
The next meeting of the Marion Zoning Board of Appeals was not scheduled at adjournment.
Marion Zoning Board of Appeals
By Jeffrey D. Wagner