#zba

[thelocalnewsma]

Pleasant Street 40B inches closer to approval

Pleasant Street 40B inches closer to approval #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — The plan to build four houses on a quarter-acre lot on Pleasant Street is inching closer to approval. First heard by the zoning board of appeals (ZBA) in August 2018, the application is using the state’s 40B law to bypass most local zoning if at least 25% of the units are affordable. From the outset, the plan drew strong neighborhood opposition due to density, traffic and…

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[thelocalnewsma]

ZBA seeks more affordability on Essex Road project

ZBA seeks more affordability on Essex Road project #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — The zoning baord of appeals (ZBA) has made some late changes to its decision on the Essex Road 40B project. At its third special meeting to work on the draft decision — the final document will be decided at Monday night’s meeting — the board unanimously said the affordable apartments should be truly affordable for the Ipswich housing market. In return, it was willing to accept fewer…

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[thelocalnewsma]

ZBA makes preliminary cuts to Essex Road 40B

ZBA makes preliminary cuts to Essex Road 40B #IpswichMA

IPSWICH — Saying more usable open area needs to be provided at the Essex Road 40B, the ZBA has cut one building and one townhouse from plans submitted by the developer. It also cut six apartments from one of the other buildings. The result was a 40-unit decrease — just over one-fifth or 20.1% — from the 191 sought by landowner John Bruni. However, the board has not taken a final vote on the…

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[thelocalnewsma]

Letter: Town now needs to use means to reduce Essex Road 40B

Letter: Town now needs to use means to reduce Essex Road 40B #IpswichMA

Our Zoning Board of Appeals members contribute untold hours of personal time on behalf of the town and they deserve our thanks. They are also given the power to make decisions that can change our neighborhoods and impact our town’s character and resources.  In the case of the Essex Road 40B, they have the ability to consider the almost 40 waivers requested by the developer, John Bruni. If all…

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[thelocalnewsma]

Letter: Control Essex Road 40B by every principled means possible

Letter: Control Essex Road 40B by every principled means possible #IpswichMA

The 191-unit 40B development proposed on the Bruni property continues to raise the outrage of Ipswich’s residents. Many citizens however are still under the mistaken assumption that nothing can be done to stop or limit it. This is most definitely not true. According to the Massachusetts Housing Partnerships 40B Handbook for Zoning Boards of Appeal, the Zoning Board is legally expected to impose…

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[thelocalnewsma]

Letter: Bruni Project presents a threat to the Ipswich we know and love

Letter: Bruni Project presents a threat to the Ipswich we know and love #IpswichMA

The Bruni Project (Essex Pastures) has been undergoing review by the ZBA for over two years.  During that time the board has looked at the many issues pertaining to this enormous project: water usage, traffic, public safety, zoning, conservation concerns, etc.  At the last meeting the developer made requests for some 40 waivers to our town’s zoning requirements and regulations. But when pressed…

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[thelocalnewsma]

Letter: ZBA has significant opportunity to reduce Essex Pastures project density

Letter: ZBA has significant opportunity to reduce Essex Pastures project density #IpswichMA

One of the more significant concerns for many citizens related to the Essex Pastures application has been density. In the opinion of the town-appointed attorneys for the ZBA, there is a reasonable means of driving the applicant to address that concern.  For those who tuned in early for the ICAM broadcast of the most recent March 26 ZBA special meeting for the Essex Pastures application on Essex…

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[thelocalnewsma]

Letter: Simply too big

Letter: Simply too big #IpswichMA #40B

I write in strong opposition to the Bruni 40B development proposed along Route 133 in Ipswich. This development is simply too big for the town of Ipswich. The congestion from additional traffic, an influx of school children into our school system, and the water resources that a project of this scale requires are not sustainable for a community of our size.   The select board, who have been…

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