Planning board approves small site change to add pocket park and 20 bike spaces at veterans housing

The Norwood Planning Board on Monday approved a minor modification to the site plan for a low-income veterans housing project at 20 Verne Street, allowing the developer to remove one car parking space and add a small pocket park and bicycle parking.

Sarah Dixon, the town's director of community development, placed the item on the agenda; the application team included Brandon Lee of Kelly Engineering Group and Greg Rifin, head of real estate at Caritas Communities. Rifin said the property serves low-income veterans and that many residents do not own cars. “Our residents tend to almost universally not have cars,” Rifin said.

Kelly Engineering described the plan changes: the total vehicle parking will be reduced from 19 to 18 spaces to create a green pocket park in the rear, add expanded walkways, relocate a transformer pad and dumpster pad, and install two covered bicycle shelters with 10 racks each (20 bicycle parking spaces total). The engineer estimated the pocket park at roughly 20 by 20 feet, “about 400 square feet, plus or minus.” The transformer pad is shown as approximately 4 by 12 feet; the light department has reviewed the transformer location and provided initial comments, the applicant said.

Board members asked about funding and timing; Rifin said the developer has secured some local match and is pursuing state funding, but the remainder of funding has not been committed and a construction start could be in 2026 or 2027 depending on financing. A board member asked whether the project will provide bicycles for tenants; Rifin said the developer does not provide bikes but expects tenants to use the racks because the site is transit- and bike-oriented.

After questions from the board and no public comment, a motion to accept the modification was made and seconded. Chair Debbie Homewood called the vote and announced it was unanimous. The board did not condition the approval beyond the usual permitting process.

The modification approval does not authorize construction beyond the scope of the approved site plan or replace separate building- or utility-permit requirements. The board noted that final electrical loads and any additional utility details will be addressed with permits and coordination with the town’s light department.