34 and 55 Summit Ave - Site Approval for Comprehensive Permit Application

The City has received notice that the Applicant has revised the original application for Site Approval for a proposed Comprehensive Permit Development for land located at 34 and 55 Summit Ave.

The updated proposal involves extending the existing road at the top of Summit Ave and constructing 28 residential units with 51 parking spaces, as opposed to 36 units with 73 parking spaces. Two common gathering areas and a no build zone will replace the eliminated units. The townhome units will be available for homeownership. A total of 25% of the units will be affordable to households earning at or below 80% of area median income and the remainder will be market rate. The elimination of eight units corresponds with a reduction in the total number of affordable units from nine to seven. Other changes include the addition of five visitor spaces and the alteration of the grade proposed at the turnaround.

This site is characterized by steep slopes and rock outcroppings with single-family homes and City-owned conservation land in the immediate vicinity. The land consists of eight parcels and there are two existing single-family homes that are proposed to be demolished. The revised plans do not address the most significant challenges associated with this development and do not alleviate the City's concerns as detailed in the Mayor's response letter to MassHousing, below. MassHousing will continue its review of the project, consider the City's comments, and may issue a site eligibility letter at which point the applicant can apply for a Comprehensive Permit from the Melrose Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Site Approval application materials can be viewed below.  For general information regarding Comprehensive Permit Rules and Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.