ZBA pauses review of 59‑unit Dalton River waterfront project; schedules site visit and continuation to Aug. 25

The Braintree Zoning Board of Appeals on July 28 declined to decide several variances requested for a proposed 59‑unit multifamily development at 1139–1151 Washington Street (the Dalton River site), instead voting to continue the public hearing to the board’s next regular meeting on Aug. 25 and to conduct a site visit in the meantime.

Mona River LLC submitted the application seeking relief from four zoning standards: permitted number of stories (counting a partially below‑grade parking level as a story), density (59 units on roughly 1.84 acres, or approximately 32 units per acre), parking (90 spaces proposed for 59 units, roughly a 1.5 parking ratio), and reduced open space per unit (the project proposes 42.5% open space, down from roughly 52% existing and well below the 2,000 sq. ft. per unit standard cited in the zoning bylaw).

Attorney Tom Kavanaugh presented the project and said the site is constrained by its proximity to the Manatequitt River, wetlands, and a large grade change; he and the applicant argued those conditions create the hardship that supports the requested variances. Architect Steve Young described the design choices: a recessed ground/podium parking level that appears partially below grade from some perspectives, a three‑bay garage and additional parking, 10% of units set aside as income‑restricted at or below 80% of Area Median Income, EV charging and solar on the roof, and wetland restoration and floodplain mitigation including approximately 10,000 cubic feet of compensatory flood storage.

Opposition at the hearing was broad: more than 30 residents and representatives spoke (or submitted letters). Neighbors and civic leaders — including the Dyer Hill Civic Association — raised concerns about density, parking spillover into residential streets, shadows on adjacent yards, traffic and queuing in South Braintree Square, neighborhood character, and strain on municipal services. Former ZBA chair Stephen Cowell and other long‑time residents urged the board to require the applicant to reduce unit count to a more neighborhood‑compatible scale. Supporters, including one resident who spoke in favor, said the site’s industrial use had harmed the riverfront and that remediation and new housing would generate tax revenue and reduced heavy‑truck traffic.

Board decision and next steps: After hearing the applicant and dozens of residents, the board voted to continue the hearing to Aug. 25 and requested a site visit. Counsel advised the board that the 100‑day statutory review period (triggered by the May 14 filing date) would require the applicant’s written consent to extend the review clock; the applicant agreed to provide a written extension to allow the Aug. 25 continuation and the site visit to occur. Staff will coordinate and post a site‑visit date and will accept supplemental materials for the record prior to the continued hearing.

Speakers and materials: Key proponents included attorney Tom Kavanaugh, architect/applicant Steve Young, and civil engineer Brad McKenzie. Scores of residents and civic leaders including Valine Weeks (Dyer Hill Civic Association), former ZBA chair Stephen Cowell, and others spoke or submitted letters. The Conservation Commission has been engaged informally; the applicants reported prior informal meetings and said they will work with conservation staff on mitigation plans.