Commission declines remand; asks DEP to retain complex Beverly Street project

The Revere City Conservation Commission voted to request that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection retain jurisdiction over a complex proposed development at 6 and 14 Beverly Street (DEP file 601788), rather than remand the matter back to the local commission.

The project previously came before the commission and drew substantial neighborhood opposition because the parcel is low‑lying and collects stormwater. The commission earlier issued a negative determination that was appealed to DEP, which issued a superseding NOI and asked whether the commission wished to remand the project back to local review.

At the meeting the chair and several commissioners said the DEP has broader resources and technical capacity better suited to resolve the complex hydrologic and construction issues on this frequently inundated lot. Commissioners noted the parcel has been proposed for development multiple times and that neighbors were strongly opposed in earlier hearings because of flood and drainage concerns.

The commission moved to leave the project with DEP rather than remand it; the motion passed with all present commissioners voting in favor. The commission said it will send a follow‑up letter to DEP stating the commission’s action.

Why this matters: the property has a long history of contested proposals due to low elevation and drainage impacts; commission members said DEP’s resources and expertise make state review preferable in this case to ensure comprehensive technical review and to address community concerns.