An aerial view of the proposal for 25 Ipswich Street. The road shown in the center (heading in the direction of the water) travels along the disputed easement over the abutting property.

The state’s Land Court is scheduled to hold a pre-trial conference next week in a long-running dispute that jeopardizes the development of 12 townhouses in the Rockaway Annex neighborhood.

The proposed Residences at Rockaway plan includes six modular, four-story townhouse-style buildings with two units each set on .63-acres. It was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals in May 2025, but uncertainty around an easement over an abutting property – needed for access and utilities – could derail the plans.

Click here for the ZBA’s final decision approving the project

Click here for renderings of the proposed project

The property was formerly part of a larger tract of land owned by Hulltop LLC, comprising what is currently 7 Salisbury Street, 20 Ipswich Street, and 25 Ipswich Street. The entire property is the former Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Alan Mckenzie, the developer of 25 Ipswich Street is suing Derek M. Paris, the owner of 20 Ipswich, over the easement, which lawyers claim was not properly created when the property was subdivided.

The Land Court’s hearing will be held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23.

-- Christopher Haraden