CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THIS PROJECT.

By Christopher Haraden

A proposal to build nine townhouses at the foot of Allerton Hill was dealt double setbacks last week after two boards voted unanimously against the project.

On Thursday, the planning board ended its Site Plan Review hearing on the application of The Point Nantasket Realty LLC with a 6-0 vote to deny, one night after the Design Review Board voted to recommend against approval of the plan.

The Point Nantasket Realty had sought to construct nine “residential cottages” – units connected by a common deck – as well as a pavilion, boat ramp, boardwalk, and other amenities at 839-845 Nantasket Avenue, on approximately 3.28 acres.

The proposal called for demolishing the four existing structures – which have been boarded up and surrounded by fencing for years – and repairing the existing dock. The long-vacant property that once housed the Lighthouse Restaurant, Sunset Marine, and an apartment building is located at the base of Allerton Hill.

Click here for additional details and renderings of the project

The current owner, ARC DC purchased the site, once owned by businessman William R. Kelley, from a court-appointed receiver for $1.05 million in 2018. The project is being proposed by Chris Reale of Hingham, who formerly owned the Paragon Boardwalk property at Nantasket Beach, along with partner Tom Fleck, whose father once ran the boat yard at the site.

“We couldn’t address the concern of every citizen to the level that some citizens are only going to ever settle for a grass field. It’s never going to be that,” Fleck said of the planning board’s denial. “We are very interested in working with the people that understand that a development needs to happen there. We are working to assess our best options moving forward.”

Planning board members said they felt that the developer, who had agreed to an additional meeting on May 27, had not addressed all of their concerns and had presented plan revisions in a piecemeal format. That sentiment differed from comments board members made last month, when the developer was lauded for “responsiveness” and “making a lot of good progress” in modifying the plans in response to feedback.

At the beginning of the meeting, Chair Jeanne Paquin read an email from Town Counsel Brian Winner that said the board was not bound to continue the process if it felt no progress was being made.

“All that being said, why is the hearing dragging? If it’s because the applicant isn’t cooperating and isn’t providing sufficient information or timely information, what do you gain by extending the hearing?” Winner wrote. “If you think more time makes it a more informed meaningful process, then a continuance may make sense. But, if you’re spinning your wheels, then maybe not.”

Design Review Board Chair Julia Parker told the planning board that the DRB had voted against the project the previous night.

“We had a unanimous vote last night of a recommendation to the planning board to deny this project, and the basis of it was the amount of incomplete information and we also felt that it didn’t adhere to our regulations very specifically,” Parker said. “And I have to say that in light of the comments we’ve just heard, we’ve also felt like the design has taken steps backwards.”

After about 90 minutes of discussion among planning board members and the audience, which was dominated by neighbors of the site who were opposed to the plan, member Abby Klieman made the motion to deny the application.

“I do not believe that sufficient information has been provided for the board to make the required findings under the zoning bylaw,” Klieman said.

The audience applauded the board’s unanimous vote.

A replay of the planning board’s May 14 hearing is available on demand on Hull Community Television’s website, www.hulltv.net.

Like what you’re reading? Stay informed and support our work with a Hull Times subscription by clicking here.

Do you have an opinion to share? Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.