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Attorney outlines 26‑unit mixed‑use proposal for 888 Great Plain Ave; finance committee defers recommendation
Summary
An attorney representing the petitioner described a three‑article zoning package for 888 Great Plain Ave (former Hillrest Gardens) proposing to extend downtown zoning, apply the Needham Center overlay and adjust setbacks to allow a proposed 26‑unit mixed‑use building with underground parking; the Finance Committee asked to wait for Planning Board (March 31) and Select Board (April 15) review before making a recommendation.
An attorney for a citizen petitioner presented three warrant articles on March 25 that would change zoning for 888 Great Plain Ave (the former Hillrest Gardens) to allow a mixed‑use redevelopment.
Attorney George Jr. told the Needham Finance Committee the property is roughly 23,111 square feet with 135 feet of frontage and is currently single‑family residential B but adjoins the center business district and the Needham Center overlay. He said the petitioners seek to extend the center business district, extend the Needham Center overlay district to the parcel, and to allow the planning board to grant a reduced rear/side setback for mixed‑use projects within the overlay.
George presented a refined draft for a mixed‑use building with three ground‑floor commercial bays (each about 2,000 square feet), 26 residential units (nine one‑bedrooms, 11 two‑bedrooms, six three‑bedrooms) and 43 underground parking spaces. He said the plan includes four affordable units (about 15.3% affordability), and that a fiscal impact analysis in the packet estimated a net positive annual fiscal contribution of about $67,500 to the town when factoring in expected service demands.
Committee members asked process questions and repeatedly said that the Planning Board’s formal hearing (scheduled March 31) and a Select Board review (expected April 15) should occur before FINCOM issues any recommendation. The petitioner agreed to return; the committee scheduled further consideration for its April 22 meeting.
No zoning change or special permit was approved: the presentation was informational and the committee deferred its recommendation pending the Planning Board and Select Board reviews and further outreach to residents.
