REFINING THEIR POINT: The developer of ‘The Point,’ a nine-townhouse complex that will replace the dilapidated buildings at the base of Allerton Hill, presented revised drawings to the planning board last week. In addition to reducing the number of parking spaces and eliminating an entrance near Fitzpatrick Way, the developer has moved the shared decking system from the bay side of the cottages to the street side. [Source: Hull Planning Board]

By Carol Britton Meyer

The development team for a proposal to construct nine “residential cottages,” a pavilion, boat ramp and slips, a boardwalk, and other amenities at 839, 843, and 845 Nantasket Avenue on approximately 3.28 acres presented a modified plan to the planning board on April 8 during a lengthy, well-attended hearing. The meeting also was attended by the design review board, which also is reviewing the proposal.

The long-vacant property that once housed the Lighthouse Restaurant, Sunset Marine, and an apartment building is located at the base of Allerton Hill.

“We heard the planning board and public comments at the last meeting and have made material changes to the plan,” including ones related to the architecture of the cottages, said attorney Adam Brodsky, representing The Point Nantasket Realty LLC. The project is being proposed by Chris Reale of Hingham, who formerly owned the Paragon Boardwalk property at Nantasket Beach.

Roof lines have been adjusted, the seaward decks have been expanded, awnings have been increased in size to provide more protection, additional “contextually appropriate” siding has been added, and “fenestration” (referring to the design, specification, and arrangement of windows, doors, and skylights within a building’s envelope) has been adjusted to reflect interior layout changes. The residential units will have a wood exterior and metal roofs.

The developer is presenting the residential part of the project as a multifamily building with nine townhouse-style units connected by decks. While alternate design review board member Lisa French questioned whether this qualifies them as one building, Planning Board Chair Jeanne Paquin reported during the meeting that in response to an inquiry, Building Commissioner Bartley Kelly recently determined that the proposed units are considered one building according to Town of Hull bylaws Chapter 410 Article II.

Design review board Chair Julia Parker proposed that changes be made to the plan to get away from the “motel look,” and an Allerton Hill resident made a similar reference during the public comments. Another community member said the residential units “look like shacks.”

Click here for further details about the proposed project and related documents.

Public access should be clearly marked

She also suggested that the public access to the pavilion and the boardwalk be clearly marked.

Tom Fleck, a member of the development team – whose father ran the former boat yard situated at this location and who spent a lot of time with his siblings at the property growing up – said he builds homes “and I love it. I’ve been involved in a lot of fun, interesting projects, and this is one of the most exciting ones I’ve ever been part of – probably because [the property] is near and dear to my heart.”

“We have a huge sentimental and emotional drive to do right by this project,” he added. The development team is taking feedback from – and has reached out to – the Point Allerton Association and other abutters “to drive the design and to find what is the highest and best use for the property.”

Fleck added that the developer will be working to find ways in the future “to create community and public access and to welcome the people who love this property.”

The other modifications, as explained by David Kelley of Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., include:

• Eliminating the proposed one-way entrance near the intersection of Fitzpatrick Way, Nantasket Avenue, and Y Street;

• Eliminating the proposed parking beneath the residential cottages to allow for improved sight lines to the waterfront along with the adjacent drive aisle in order to reduce potential vehicular conflicts in the area. A couple of community members wondered if future residents would store equipment such as kayaks and bicycles, boxes of beach toys, and other objects under the units, partially blocking the views.

• Reducing the overall parking, in response to concerns that the initial proposal had “excessive parking,” to meet the zoning requirements – with 18 spaces for residential use and four parking spaces provided to meet the zoning requirement based on the number of proposed boat slips.

• Three public parking spaces are proposed along the Nantasket Avenue frontage in order to provide additional public parking and encourage use of the public amenities and access to the waterfront. Such spaces would need approval from the select board as traffic commissioners for the town.

• The canopies above the parking on the southerly end of the site have been eliminated, allowing for improved sight lines and reduction of structures along Nantasket Avenue.

• The public-use pavilion that was formerly proposed at grade has been raised to the same elevation as the elevated first floor level of the cottages, with the elevated boardwalk connecting both the public use deck and residential dwelling units. The area beneath the elevated pavilion has been programmed to allow for public seasonal seating and passive enjoyment of the waterfront space. A mechanical access lift will provide accessibility to the upper level.

• The location of the cottages and elevated boardwalk have been adjusted to provide improved sight lines and access from Nantasket Avenue to the waterfront and public pathway along the waterfront.

• The elevated boardwalk has been shifted from the seaward side of the cottage units to landward side of the cottages facing Nantasket Ave.

• Access has been consolidated, with a reduction in the number of staircases serving the boardwalk.

Two small elevated, enclosed utility spaces have been provided on the northerly and southerly ends.

“We want to cooperate with the community on this project,” Kelley said.

Paquin read a letter voicing abutter concerns, signed by George Boylen, that was accompanied by a petition signed by 70 individuals opposing any direct access to Cadish Avenue “from any development on this property” to avoid increased traffic flow on the side streets from V to Q and out of safety concerns for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The petition notes that this stretch of Cadish Avenue was made one-way in 2018 “due to safety concerns with areas of the street as narrow as 12 feet and the poor condition of the roadway. As a result of this change, an even larger number of people regularly walk and bike this stretch of Cadish Avenue.”

Another resident expressed appreciation for the modifications, while another suggested gazebos be included in the proposal.

A number of neighbors voiced concerns about the boardwalk being moved to the front of the property.

One resident wanted assurances that the current access to the beachfront on the property won’t be restricted in the future, with Brodsky saying that won’t happen.

He asked the board for a sense of whether the development team is “moving in the right direction, or whether there is some major issue we haven’t anticipated.”

In response, planning board member Chandelle Schulte acknowledged “the tremendous amount of work you have done since our last meeting. … I don’t believe there will be a major issue – just more about what we’ve already talked about. I can see the project going forward with additional information.”

‘Open space is important’

Member Meghan Reilly suggested the developer come up with a couple of different options for the pavilion in response to concerns voiced by the public, noting, “You’re making a lot of good progress. Open space and public access is very important.”

Paquin noted that “it’s good to see [such] responsiveness from a developer. There are more boxes that have to be ticked, but I’m not seeing anything [insurmountable].”

As next steps in the process, the development team will respond to concerns addressed at the recent meeting, public comments, and feedback from the planning board.

The hearing was continued until April 22 and will be in the Zoom format. A draft decision is expected that night.

A replay of the meeting is posted on Hull Community Television’s website, www.HullTV.net.

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