Beverly, Mass - The Montserrat Neighborhood Association is challenging a decision by the city's Zoning Board of Appeals that permits a proposed affordable housing project that would put two own houses on land next to the Montserrat Train Station.
A hearing on the challenge is tentatively scheduled by the appeals board for October 23.
The $1.2 million project, which is slated to be built by the Beverly Housing Authority (BHA), has drawn outrage from neighbors who say that the plot of land is not sufficient for such a project.
The Appeals Board last month cleared the plans for the project saying the authority has the right to build the townhouses because the project does not violate zoning laws.
Part of the land, which the BHA purchased from the MBTA for $10 in 2002, extends into the active train station parking lot. The neighborhood group alleges that the BHA has "manipulated" local zoning laws by counting that portion of land as part of the project, while making an arrangement to give most of that parking space back to the MBTA at no cost.
"The BHA essentially has 'borrowed' a portion of the MBTA parking lot solely for zoning purposes until the project was permitted and built, and then prearranged to deed back the majority of the parking lot area to the MBTA," John Hall, a resident of Colon Street, said in an email announcing the appeal.
Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the MBTA, confirmed through email that the land extending into the train station parking lot takes up 14 parking spaces, and that the BHA is going to use four for its development and the other 10 will "revert back to the MBTA."
Kevin Ascolillo, executive director of the BHA, refused comment, and said he would not answer to any of the accusations against the BHA until the zoning board hearing.
Along with constructing two new town houses, each with two units - one of which is for a returning disabled veteran - the scope of work would include the repair of a single-family affordable home already on the site, which is bordered by Spring and Essex streets.
Ryan Mooney can be reached at globe.mooney@yahoo.com. Follow him on Twitter @mooney_ryan.