By Scott MacKeen
Staff Writer
11/12/09
A wave of support for commercial development at the Temple Shalom property, which for months has been outweighed by neighborhood opposition and skepticism, was in full force as the Planning Board opened a new round of discussion Nov. 5. The basis of the support was a detailed model of the type of development Coffman Realty envisions for the four-acre Blue Hill Avenue site, which is currently a large Temple that members say is no longer feasible to maintain. The Brockton-based developer has a purchase-and-sale agreement with the Temple and is seeking the town’s approval to bring a retail plan to that part of town. At the meeting, Coffman presented 3-D renderings of a development similar to what has been proposed – called Tucker Village Marketplace – a three-building plaza with a 13,000 square-foot drive-through CVS Pharmacy as its main anchor tenant. On the site would also be a 10,000-square-foot retail building and a smaller, 200-seat religion center. The plan features around 140 parking spaces and maintains 36 percent of the property as green space, area the developer said could include landscaping and benches to make the site attractive. Vice President Michael Coffman said there is interest from local retailers including Java Jo Coffeehouse and the Flat Back Coffee Co. to open up locations at the site. Both currently operate in Boston and the Java Jo proprietor, Vance Welch, recently opened the Abby Park restaurant in East Milton Square.
“The neighbors want to see local tenants. We are in serious talks with three or four [local retailers] who are very interested in leasing space here,” Coffman said. “We do not want to put in something that isn’t first well-vetted with the neighborhood.”
The majority who spoke at the meeting were encouraged by the plan, with some calling it a “vast improvement” on what was previously suggested for the site, and others saying it will add amenities and pride to the neighborhood.
Kristen LaCasse, of Decker Street, who said she was previously opposed to what she thought would be a “strip mall,” called the new proposal “a beautiful development that would really enhance our side of town.”
“It’s time for the west side of Milton to have something put back into it,” said LaCasse, adding that she is a Tucker Elementary School parent and she thinks the school – on nearby Blue Hills Parkway – is often first on the list when budgets cuts arise.
“This is going to be the pride of our town. It’s a no-brainer. It’s marvelous,” said Tom Smigliani, of Winter Valley, who said he was amazed how much green space the new proposal maintains on the site.
“This looks fantastic. This looks exactly like what we’ve been asking for,” said Tim Archibald, a Brush Hill Road resident.
Joseph O’Malley, Julie Callahan Shields, Peter Schwarz and Edward Moss – all abutters to Temple Shalom – also said they support the development plan, the first version of which was sent back to the Planning Board for further study during Annual Town Meeting. Moss called the updated proposal “brilliant” and said he “can’t wait for the digging to start.”
O’Malley said he thinks there is a changing of tide in the neighborhood to the prospect of commercial development, as many who were against the plan are speaking in support as more details are laid out.
“I’ve never told anyone I’m for or against anything,” said Larry Witko, who served as a real estate expert on a volunteer resident committee advising the Planning Board over the summer. “I can now say I am very much for this.”
Others disputed the notion that the neighborhood opinion is shifting in favor of the pharmacy development.
“I would suggest that more people are still against this, and many of them aren’t here to speak,” said Steve Keel, of Churchill Street, who also served on the advisory board. “What we’ve been seeing [tonight] is essentially the same plan. It’s just dressed up. Maybe we’ve been worn down. But there’s still a group of neighbors who haven’t been worn down and will continue to object to this process.”
There was continuing opposition from neighbors who feel any commercial development will bring increased traffic and noise, and reduce the value of homes in the neighborhood.
Patricia Whitworth has been trying to sell her Decker Street home but said she has had no potential buyers because of “the uncertainty across the street.”
“When you say property value will get higher [with the new development], I can stand here and tell you that is not true,” she said.
John Fichtman, a Cheever Street resident, said he has been waiting for months to hear a plan that would ease the cut-through traffic on his and other nearby roads, which are narrow and winding.
“I still haven’t heard that,” he said.
“It would be 24/7 noise, and pollution from cars. This is going to ruin my joy in my home,” said Lisa Murphy, an abutter to Temple Shalom on Mulberry Road.
Tammy Murphy, a Concord Avenue resident and another of advisory committee members, said she doesn’t have confidence that the “current membership” of the Planning Board can objectively “steer through the permitting process” associated with the development.
Planning Board Chairman Peter Jackson replied, “This is the most open, thorough deliberation I’ve seen in my 22 years in town.”
Jackson said he has been overwhelmed by comments from residents, most of them speaking highly of the commercial development.
“I got 53 e-mails in a 48-hour span. Fifty-one were in favor, only one was against” and the other had additional questions about the plan, he said. “The amount of green space [in the new plan] is truly remarkable. It’s a significant enhancement over the last proposal.”
Although Planning Board members expressed opinions of the new Coffman plan, they held out on voting whether to back the proposal on a Special Town Meeting warrant article. It would require a two-thirds majority vote by Town Meeting to implement a zoning change for the site. The Town Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 8.
“I’ve been on the Planning Board for 20 years. I’ve never received as many phone calls as I have over the past few days. I can’t ignore these people anymore,” board member Bernie Lynch said, adding that he is now “on the fence” about the zoning change after initially opposing it.
Board member Ed Duffy remained opposed to the development, while members Emily Innes and Alex Whiteside said they could favor it but need more information.
Coffman Realty and Temple officials again presented their updated development plan to residents during a Nov. 10 meeting at Tucker Elementary School.
The Planning Board will resume discussion of the issue Thursday, Nov. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the senior center, 10 Walnut St.