Developers, residents spar as Planning Board hears 325‑unit South Shore Plaza apartment plan; hearing continued to April 8

ZOM Living presented site‑plan details and technical studies for the “Residences at South Shore,” a proposed 325‑unit, 4‑story apartment building on approximately 7 acres at 250 Granite Street, during the March 11 meeting of the Braintree Planning Board. The developer and its consultants emphasized compliance with the new mixed‑use planned unit development (MUPUD) zoning and said the project would include about 10 percent affordable units, extensive landscaping and interior parking. Opponents and several councilors and neighbors urged more buffering, monitoring of traffic and review of sewer and stormwater impacts. The board continued the public hearing to April 8.

The developer’s attorney, Frank Marinelli, told the board the project is a “use by right” under section 6.17 of the Braintree zoning ordinance and described a single, wrapped 4‑story building with 475 interior parking spaces, about 47.9 percent open space (where 30 percent is required) and a berm and tree buffer at the easterly edge. Jeffrey Dirk of VAI, the project transportation engineer,…