Debate begins over redevelopment of Island Terrace site

By Robert Barboza, Contributing Writer
Posted Jan 4, 2019

LAKEVILLE — The Zoning Board of Appeals recently got its first official look at a concept plan for the redevelopment of the closed Island Terrace Nursing Home, where a potential buyer is proposing to construct 84 condominium units limited to residents 55 and over on the 8.2 acre site off Long Point Road.

Attorney William Pezzone, representing First Colony Development Company, Inc., laid out the initial proposal for the redevelopment of the parcel, indicating the company would be seeking several variances from zoning regulations to construct eight buildings on the site. The variances needed are for exceeding maximum lot coverage and density restrictions, he indicated, as well as height limits.

Most of the condos would be located in four large, three-story residential structures 45 feet tall, the attorney said. The concept plan also showed four smaller buildings on the site, including a clubhouse for residents and a maintenance building.

Pezzone noted the property is “unique” because of its “environmentally sensitive” location beside a public water supply, and the massive septic system put in place a few years ago to handle the wastewater generated by 77 nursing home residents, and the 110 employees who worked three shifts at the facility when it was operational.

First Colony Development would also need a special permit from the ZBA since town zoning bylaws do not include any provisions for age-restricted housing, according to Appeals Board Chair Donald Foster. He said the board will need to consult with legal counsel to determine if it has the authority to issue a special permit for the project.

Pezzone said the proposed project qualifies as “housing for the elderly” under state law, which would allow it to be constructed under the town’s special permit guidelines.

That elderly housing designation would allow planners to use a 150-gallon per day per resident wastewater output for each condominium, keeping the total output under the 13,000 gallons per day capacity of the existing septic system, the attorney indicated.

He also noted that the company would be willing to scale back the development a bit if the town’s consulting engineers or the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) feels the proposed density is too great for the site.

First Colony Development principal Jon Delli Priscoli, known locally as the owner of Edaville Railroad, said he has a purchase agreement in place with Provident Bank, which recently foreclosed on the property.

He said he believes that the high density is needed “to make the economics work” for the site, but noted the concept plan could change some if town officials and the DEP feel that number of residents might overburden the site or threaten the nearby pond.

“My interest is to bring a high-quality development to the community” that meets a local demand currently not available in Lakeville, Delli Priscoli told the Appeals Board. The condos will be a great option for aging current residents looking to downsize out of larger homes, he suggested.

If the town tries to scale back the project in any significant way, his company would probably walk away from the redevelopment effort, he said.

Foster said the first step has to be a legal ruling from town counsel. “I want to find out if we should even be considering this or not,” he told fellow members. “I want to be sure this (special permit) process is legitimate.

Offering a free legal opinion on the matter at the Dec. 20 ZBA meeting was Chairman of Selectmen Aaron Burke, who suggested that First Colony Development cannot meet the hardship provisions required for variances, and the ZBA doesn’t have the authority to issue a special permit for a use not allowed by zoning bylaws.

Selectman John Powderly took the opposite tack, speaking in support of the project. The proposed use would be less dense than a Chapter 40B affordable housing development, and not impact the school system by bringing more children into town, he said.

Also speaking in favor of the plan was former Island Terrace Nursing Home owner Carol Tolles, who said she considers it the best use of the property she has heard so far.

Veteran Planning Board member Sylvester Zienkiewicz was more cautious, suggesting careful consideration was needed by town officials because it would be “the biggest special permit you’ve ever wrote” for a housing development.

Foster said the concept plan filed that night would be passed on to a consulting engineer for a peer review, since definitive site plans are still in the works.

One important consideration would be the access road leading to 57 Long Point Road. Several attendees noted that there is only a longstanding easement to the property, used by the owners for the past six decades.

The ZBA’s review of the preliminary plans will continue at their January meeting.

https://www.southcoasttoday.com/special/20190104/debate-begins-over-redevelopment-of-island-terrace-site