Planning board approves ZOM Living’s 325-unit South Shore Plaza apartments with conditions

The Braintree Planning Board voted 5-0 on May 13 to approve ZOM Living’s special-permit application to build 325 apartments at South Shore Plaza, a $140 million development the applicant says will include extensive open space, landscaping and on-site amenities.

The approval followed hours of presentation, peer review and public comment and includes more than 60 draft conditions covering construction logistics, tree protection, traffic monitoring and payments to town services. Frank Marinelli, representing ZOM Living, told the board the project would deliver “325 beautifully designed apartment homes with substantial open space” and that the development would “create over $500,000 in new net real estate tax revenue each year.”

Town staff and independent peer reviewers recommended approval with conditions, citing compliance with the multi-use planned unit development (MUPUD) concept plan the Town Council approved in November 2024. Assistant Director Connor Murphy summarized department and peer-review findings for the board, noting traffic, stormwater, sewer and public-safety mitigation measures that were negotiated since the March hearing.

Key details and conditions

- Size and layout: One four-story building with 325 one- and two-bedroom units; the applicant says the plan provides about 47% open space and 52.1% lot coverage where 70% is permitted. The applicant said there are no three-bedroom units in this project. - Landscaping and buffers: ZOM agreed to plant arborvitae and…