Beverly, Mass. - The Montserrat Neighborhood Group is once again gathering this week to discuss the latest developments on the Spring Street housing project.
The Housing Authority filed a challenge in the state's Land Court Department of the Trial Court on Nov. 20 appealing the Beverly Zoning Board of Appeals decision to revoke the building permit for the project.
The group celebrated victory last month when the ZBA voted to overturn the building inspector's decision to grant a building permit for the construction of two multi-family units at 11 Spring St., next to the Montserrat train station.
"We had hoped that the overwhelming opposition by the neighborhood, coupled with the unanimous decision by the ZBA in our favor, would have persuaded the BHA not to pursue the matter any further," John Hall, a member of the Montserrat Neighborhood Group, said on Wednesday. "But given the BHA's disregard of any of the public's concerns about the project from the start, I can't say we are surprised."
The group plans to meet this week to discuss a strategy moving forward.
"We intend to continue to fight the project by whatever means are necessary," Hall said.
The Beverly Housing Authority's plans call for the construction of two low-income houses, each consisting of two units, as well as minor renovations to the existing bungalow-style house on the Sprint Street property. The neighborhood group has been opposed to the project from the beginning, filing their own official challenge with ZBA back in September.
Contention over the project, which has been in the works since 2008, has centered on the parking lot size, as well as other general issues over overcrowding and cost of the project.
Calls to the Housing Authority were not returned by press time.