Developers present conceptual plan for 55 units at 236 Broadway; board flags parking and height concerns

Attorney Pete Nicos presented a conceptual, pre‑application plan for 236 Broadway Street proposing an addition to the existing building to create roughly 55 residential units while retaining an adult day care on the first floor. Nicos said the applicant expects to pare down the unit count and is seeking input from the planning board before submitting detailed permitting materials.

Nicos said the applicant has engaged with department staff and the zoning board of appeals and that the project team will continue coordination with the historic commission. "This property currently houses an adult day care facility. And what we're looking to do is basically turn it into a mixed use property and add residential dwellings, on top of it," Nicos told the board.

Board members and staff consistently flagged parking and height as the principal concerns. Several members described the proposed 55‑unit, multi‑story scheme as dense for the immediate neighborhood and urged the applicant to reduce unit count and provide a robust parking mitigation plan that could include secured off‑site parking commitments. One board member said of the proposed scale, "I think it's way too big," and others recommended the applicant bring refined elevations and more detailed parking and lease documentation before filing for public hearings.

The presentation was informational only; the planning board did not vote. Board members recommended the applicant work with the historic commission and planning staff, pare down unit count, provide finalized elevations and parking commitments, and conduct neighborhood outreach before a formal application.