Remember the controversial South Shore Plaza housing project in Braintree? It has taken a big step forward.

The Boston Globe

The now smaller project won an important vote from the planning committee.

By Andrew Brinker, The Boston Globe

updated October 18, 2024

It took an all-out political war to get to this point, but housing could soon be coming to New England's largest mall.

The Braintree Planning Board approved a development plan earlier this week that would pave the way for national apartment developer ZOM Living to build a 325-unit apartment complex in the parking lots behind South Shore Plaza. It would be the largest residential development in Braintree's history and follows a mixed-use model used to revitalize shopping centers in recent years.

The project is not yet fully approved; The city council still needs to approve the development plan for the site, and then the planning authority must issue a special permit to approve the project plans. But this week's vote marks a significant political shift. Last year the original from ZOM The proposal sparked one of the ugliest local housing development disputes in recent memory, prompting ZOM to eventually back out. Now ZOM is back and has the momentum to make the project a reality after last fall's local elections voted against former mayor Charles Kokoros, who vehemently opposed the project and promised to veto it if it came to his attention Desk reached.

Challenger Erin Joyce, who ousted Kokoros, said she supports the idea of ​​creating housing at the mall.

Braintree's planning board has also changed its tune; Last year, the five members rejected the ZOM project 3-2. This time? The board, which has only had one new member since last year, agreed unanimously.

“The live, work, live model is alive and thriving in Massachusetts and it is time for Braintree to utilize its existing retail inventory, land and excess infrastructure for something more productive,” the city said the planning department wrote in its recommendation. “The days of empty parking lots, excess asphalt, open spaces with no public use or recreational use must end.”

ZOM's new $140 million proposal is a smaller version of the nearly 500 units the developer originally wanted to spread across two buildings on the 9-acre site behind the plaza. Now there will be 325 apartments in a four-story building. ZOM said it had made significant changes in response to residents' concerns, including expanding the site to include more open space and reducing the number of apartments. The developer also says the project would bring much-needed tax revenue as the city tries to plug a budget deficit that some city officials say is due to resistance to growth.

Apparently the developer's message was received better than the first attempt.

Last year the response was so intense that Opponents took over public meetings, shouted down officials and posted signs denouncing the “monster project” in front yards across the city. Some said it would take years to overcome the political rifts the project created.

But this week at the planning board meeting there were mixed reactions from residents, including some vocal supporters.

“For too long this city has focused on who we were rather than what we need to be,” said resident Sara Forster. “The ZOM project is not just a development, but a catalyst that opens the doors to a better future. Should our developments be well thought out and targeted? 100%. Should we pay attention to our neighborhood? Naturally. But we should also look at creating areas where commercial retail and housing can come together to create a neighborhood of its own.”

Of course, there is still significant resistance. Opponents taped “Monster Project” signs to the windows in the back of the room where the planning board met. They said it would overwhelm the city's sewer infrastructure, overshadow single-family neighborhoods and increase crime.

“It's pretty obvious that the whole thing sounds like a backroom deal,” said Kelly Moore, president of the North Braintree Civic Association, the group that has led the opposition. “They have the mayor, the city council, the ZOM attorney… all set up to enforce this no matter what the residents think. This is a huge middle finger to the residents of Braintree.”