Planning Board continues review of Trammell Crow’s 752‑unit proposal for former Armstrong site, schedules Oct. 14 continuation

The Town of Braintree Planning Board on Tuesday continued its review of a proposal by Trammell Crow Residential to redevelop the former Armstrong factory site into a 752‑unit apartment complex, scheduling a continuation for Oct. 14 to allow peer reviewers and town staff more time to evaluate traffic, stormwater and MBTA crossing issues.

The application covers a two‑phase, by‑right project in the municipality’s Red Line South District (section 6‑1‑6). The developer presented plans showing 427 units in phase 1 and 325 in phase 2, approximately 58% total open space, and 1.5 parking spaces per residence. The applicant’s team told the board the project represents an estimated $230 million investment and that planning staff’s fiscal summary projects net tax revenue in the range of $1.2 million to $1.9 million per year, with roughly $3 million in expected building permit fees; the fiscal report is under peer review.

The board’s discussion centered on outstanding peer‑review requests and public concerns. Traffic peer review identified additional study locations and recommended refinements to site access and pedestrian connectivity. Robert Michaud of MDM Transportation, the project traffic engineer, said peer review agreed on trip‑generation methodology but requested an expanded study area, an updated crash analysis and consideration of pedestrian crossings; he said the applicant will commit to a new pedestrian crossing on Plain Street and to signal retiming at the Plains/ Hancock intersection. Michaud said the site generates substantially similar daily traffic to existing uses on the property but will shift volumes in the morning peak toward outbound commuter routes.

Nick Delacava, the project civil engineer, told the board the team has scheduled 14 test pits across the site for stormwater/infiltration assessment and has adjusted drainage plans to reduce direct outfalls to the river. He said the town’s peer reviewer has provided preliminary comment and the applicant will coordinate design changes as required.

Several residents and neighborhood groups urged the board to press for additional pedestrian and safety measures on John Mahar (Mahara) Highway and at nearby intersections, to require on‑site child‑safe pick‑up areas for school buses, and to ensure ongoing maintenance of the public boardwalk. Joe Moscortolo of Jonathan’s Landing said the half‑mile stretch of Mahara Highway near the site is “very dangerous for both vehicles and pedestrians” and urged traffic calming; Pat Mulcahren, president of the Quincy and South Shore Building Trades Unions, asked the developer to meet with local trades representatives about contracting opportunities.

Board members asked the applicant to return with written responses to peer‑review comments, additional sidewalk and crossing analysis, and more detailed proposals for open‑space programming and on‑site circulation during phase 1 when the Mahar driveway is expected to serve only for emergency or construction access. Director Maczek (planning director) confirmed the MBTA has raised conditions around use of the Hancock Street rail crossing, calling for it to remain limited to emergency access unless a separate MBTA diagnostic and licensing process allows broader use.

The board did not take a final vote and moved the item to Oct. 14 to allow staff to circulate the applicant’s responses and a draft set of site‑specific conditions for review.