Select Board narrowly approves letter of support for 923–929 Washington Street housing project, with conditions

The Norwood Board of Selectmen voted 3–2 to authorize a letter of support for a Local Initiative Program (LIP) application for a proposed 26‑unit development at 923–929 Washington Street.

Board members debated the plan for more than an hour at the Jan. meeting, taking public testimony and written petitions opposing the project before voting to send a conditional letter that allows the developer to apply to the state under Chapter 40B.

The motion approved by the board requires that the project: - follow the exterior façade shown on the Winslow Architects plans dated 01/23/25; - be limited to no more than 26 units total; - include no more than six three‑bedroom units; and - provide the affordable set‑aside described in the motion (the motion referenced 25% affordability acceptable to EOHLC, to be held in perpetuity).

Attorney Phil Mackey and property owner/developer Pat Corrigan presented a revised design that reduced three‑bedroom units from 10 to six and narrowed the building on its right side to increase setbacks from Washington Street. Mackey said the changes “reduced the right side of the building” and moved portions farther from the sidewalk, and that the project would meet state site and unit‑size requirements if the state accepts the LIP application.

Selectmen heard multiple rounds of public comment from neighbors who said the site and intersection are already congested and that 26 units would create parking, traffic and stormwater concerns. The board received written opposition letters and two signed petitions the chair said totaled more than 150 signatures.

Board members split along familiar lines in the discussion. Selectman Plasco moved the letter of support with the conditions; the motion was seconded and then modified on the record to authorize the chair to finalize language with town planning staff. Proponents on the board said the revised design improves the site and replaces a long‑standing, degraded building on the Washington Street corridor; opponents said the project remains too large for the immediate neighborhood and raised traffic and stormwater containment concerns.

Under the Local Initiative Program, the developer will submit the town’s letter of support to the state as part of a Chapter 40B application; if the state accepts the application the project will proceed to a Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing on zoning relief, engineering (including stormwater), parking and other site requirements.

The board’s vote to authorize the letter of support was recorded as carrying 3 to 2. The board did not record individual member votes on the public record during the roll call beyond the tally.

The applicants and the board agreed that any final permitting will require compliance with current stormwater and building codes; Mackey told the board the redevelopment will be required to contain runoff on site and meet the current stormwater regulations.

The Selectmen’s authorization does not grant zoning relief; it only allows the developer to apply to the state under the 40B/LIP process with the town’s conditional support.

Votes at a glance (this item) Motion: Authorize letter of support for 923–929 Washington Street LIP application with specified conditions and authorize the chair to meet with planning staff to finalize language. Mover: Selectman Plasco. Second: (recorded as seconded). Outcome: approved 3–2.

Why it matters: The board’s support is the municipal step needed to allow the developer to apply to the state under Chapter 40B’s Local Initiative Program; approval by the state and subsequent ZBA action would determine whether the project proceeds to construction or is modified further.

What’s next: If the developer submits to the state and is accepted, the project will proceed to Zoning Board of Appeals hearings for local permits and engineering review, where residents will have further opportunities to testify.