Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust approves support letter for 5 Parker Street 12‑unit project

The Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust voted April 2 to send a letter of support to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a proposed 12‑unit, owner‑occupied development at 5 Parker Street that the project representative said will include two affordable homeownership units.

The presenter described a proposal of two four‑unit buildings and two three‑unit buildings, all three‑bedroom units with single‑car garages and two exterior parking spaces per unit. "They're proposed to have 12 units ... and so we would have 2 affordable units," the presenter said. He added the project would include a new crosswalk with a flashing signal to the adjacent rail trail and that the buildings would be all‑electric to meet commercial energy code requirements for structures of that size.

Why it matters: The Trust's letter is intended for the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on April 14; the presenter said approval of a multifamily‑use special permit at the ZBA would allow the proposal to proceed to a major site plan review before the planning board and then to conservation commission review. Trust members emphasized the need to get the letter to the ZBA in advance so staff and board members can review it.

Trust action and procedural details: Cochair Andrew Shapiro moved that the Trust approve sending a letter of support to the ZBA "subject to review and approval by myself and Madeline"; a member seconded and the membership present voted in favor. The Trust directed staff to prepare and deliver the letter before the ZBA hearing.

Project timeline and permitting hurdles: The presenter told the Trust the applicant plans to appear before the ZBA on April 14 and expects planning board review to begin in May; he warned the conservation commission review will be a key permitting challenge because the site is tight and includes resource areas. "It's not gonna be easy," he said when describing potential conservation‑commission issues. He estimated full permits could be delayed until mid‑summer and said the builder hopes to begin foundation work by fall so sales can start as units are finished.

Housing affordability and delivery: Trust members asked whether the affordable units will be interior units in the quad buildings; the presenter said the affordable units would be in the quads and are likely to be the middle units, and he confirmed all units are planned as ownership rather than rentals. Members also asked about how lotteries and financing work for affordable homeownership units; the presenter said occupancy permits and financing requirements mean the units generally must be finished before a lottery or sale is completed.

Next steps: Staff will draft the letter for review by the cochairs and submit it to the ZBA before the April 14 hearing; the project will proceed through planning board site plan review and conservation commission review if the ZBA grants the special permit.