After reducing the number of units by one and increasing green space on the lot, Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night approved a Portland Street three-family home—described as similar to a series of rowhouses.
Attorney Caitlin M. Masys said told city councilors how the house benefits the entire neighborhood.
“If this project were to be approved, it would be an incredible improvement in this neighborhood. This whole block is starting to look a lot nicer… There are parks for children on either side, within walking distance on Portland Street. It’s a great family neighborhood.”
Currently, the lot is covered in brush and dotted with a few sheds. Noting Developer Mark Colantonio has made some effort to beautify the property since buying it in 2021, she called it an “eyesore.”
“I love the idea of larger-sized apartments going in in general in the city,” Councilor Devan M. Ferreira said. “We know this is a need for our larger families, but I do have a few concerns about that size of a building going on that small of a lot.”
Colantonio initially proposed four three-bedrooms at 94 Portland St., but was happy to replace the extra unit with a little more green space when asked. With underground garages and a driveway, tenants and their guests will not need to park on the narrow street.
“He grew up in Section Eight housing,” Masys said of Colantonio, “and he has tried to buy various properties throughout the city that have been a little bit torn down, maybe not in the greatest area, and he’s really turned things around. He looks for tenants who are looking to establish an actual home for themselves, rather than just have an apartment.”
Asked by Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere, Masys said rent will be market rate for the area, somewhere between $2,500 and $2,700.
Before a previous Board of Appeals hearing, Masys said Colantonio went door-to-door to speak with nearby residents who received notice of the proposed development. She added she collected signatures of neighbors in support of the project and some even came to the Board of Appeals meeting.
No members of the public spoke for or against the proposal during Tuesday night’s Council meeting.
Also, the owner of an adjacent four-unit house, she said Colantonio does his own landscaping and offers rent abatements for tenants who want to help out. As part of construction for the new development, Masys said Colantonio will also add off-street parking to the adjacent building.
In addition, councilors asked Colantonio to work with the city to take care of street trees on the block and include a private dumpster behind the new residences.