Developers propose Central Square overlay zoning and mixed housing; council refers measure to committee and continues hearings

Developers representing Gustafino Realty LLC presented a proposal on Jan. 21 to create a Central Square Overlay District and rezone about 13 parcels in the Central Square area.

Attorney Joseph Tabby, representing the applicant, described the petition to add a new section (proposed Section 35, “Central Square Overlay District”) to the zoning ordinance and to amend the zoning map. The overlay would allow a mix of uses on the site, including general office, medical/dental, light manufacturing/research (size-limited), retail under 10,000 square feet, and accessory uses. The proposal would also permit residential development with a maximum of 225 units across the district and require 15% of units to be affordable under section 11.11 of the zoning code.

The developers highlighted a multi-part plan: restore and preserve the historic Guastavino building along Main Street; add a series of townhouses along Main Street with a roughly 10-foot setback and landscaped frontage; construct two five-story buildings behind the Main Street row (maximum heights cited at 65 feet / five floors for rear buildings, and 39 feet / three floors facing Main Street); realign Clinton Street access, relocate or remove a small low-value fire station parcel (the petitioner said they purchased the old fire station) and expand public green space by closing part of Lowell Street to create a larger park.

Peter Carbone and John Tocci (Gustafino Realty) and design and engineering teams described traffic studies and stormwater management plans. The traffic consultant said peak-hour trip generation attributable to the project is modest compared with throughput on Main Street but noted the area’s existing signal and offset intersections require operational improvements; the team proposed coordinating changes at the Clinton/Main and Eaton/Main intersections and aligning Clinton Street with the site access. Developers told the council they expected to detain stormwater on-site and to undertake work to improve the canal and local drainage.

Developers estimated municipal revenues could rise substantially if the project is built; a draft fiscal estimate presented in the meeting materials suggested a jump in annual property taxes from roughly $50,000 (current baseline) to more than $1 million and permit and impact fees on the order of about $1 million. The petition and presentation noted the planning board has opened a hearing and continued it to Feb. 11.

Multiple residents and nearby stakeholders spoke during the council’s public hearing with both support and concerns. Residents praised preservation of the Guastavino building and added green space, while others voiced worries about traffic, school impacts, parking adequacy, and the height of the rear buildings. Comments also emphasized pedestrian safety near the Boys & Girls Club and the need for clear plans for Charles Gardner Way and the club access.

The council voted to continue the public hearing to Feb. 18 and to refer the zoning petition to the ordinance committee for further review and a committee report prior to any final action.