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Planning board approves minor modification to let Dick’s House of Sport occupy former Nordstrom site at South Shore Plaza
Summary
The Braintree Planning Board approved a minor modification allowing Dick’s House of Sport to occupy the former Nordstrom space at South Shore Plaza. The change adds about 1,770 square feet to the building perimeter for new facades and clerestory work; zoning relief for height and signage remains with the Zoning Board.
The Braintree Planning Board on Oct. 14 approved a minor modification request that clears the way for Dick’s House of Sport to occupy the former Nordstrom space at South Shore Plaza.
Attorney Frank Marinelli, representing the applicant, said the proposal is “an extraordinary opportunity for our town to have Dick’s House of Sport occupy the former Nordstrom space at South Shore Plaza.” He told the board the tenant will invest in new facades, clerestory daylighting through three floors, and a modest footprint increase of about 1,770 square feet around the building perimeter to accomplish those changes.
The modification before the board was limited to site-plan-level changes; Marinelli emphasized that requests for height relief and signage will be handled at the Zoning Board of Appeals. “Our relief is not with the planning board,” he said, pointing members to the zoning process for parapet height and signage variances.
Planning staff confirmed the application meets the planning board’s threshold for a minor modification because the property remains single-user retail to single-user retail and the added impervious area is small relative to the plaza’s allowable coverage. Marinelli said the total construction value for the Dick’s fit-out and facade work is “north of $25,000,000,” and that the 1,770-square-foot change is de minimis against the South Shore Plaza lot coverage limits.
Board members asked for clarifications on how far the new facades will project from the current building line (answers varied by elevation; Marinelli estimated up to 3–4 feet at some points and 1–2 feet back into the building at others) and whether sidewalks or the curb line would be altered (they would not). Members also asked about the House of Sport programing; Marinelli said facilities typically include golf simulators, batting and climbing elements and that each House of Sport is customized to the market.
The board voted to approve the minor modification. Chair called for a motion; Member Connolly moved, Member Kent seconded, and members voted in favor.
The applicant will pursue height and signage variances with the Zoning Board of Appeals and the building-permit review for the clerestory and interior construction with the Building Department.
Notes: the change does not yet resolve signage or parapet-height relief, which the applicant said will return to the Zoning Board.
