Haverhill city councilors Tuesday night killed a developer’s request to replace a single-family house on Marshland Street with three condominium units, with most members saying the plan would upset the character of the neighborhood.
The “Marshland Commons” proposal from Matt Silva of Sterling Commonwealth Builders called for demolishing a single-family house at 27 Marshland St. and replacing it with three, three-bedroom townhouses—each with separate driveways to the street. Mark Dickinson, who said he has owned the nearby 30 Marshland St. property, was among those who spoke against the plan.
“But to build 5,100 square feet of living area. It’s crazy. It just doesn’t make sense and it is not appropriate and it is not consistent with the neighborhood that’s existing there today,” he said.
He added the street is comprised now of 14 single-family, 14 two-family and six condo homes.
Neighbor Paula Sable opposed removing old-growth trees on the property that she said help mitigate heat, prevent water runoff and offer other environmental benefits, while Christopher Sterritt and Jesus Martino maintained three units don’t fit the lot. All noted they would not be opposed to Silva building a two-family building, which is allowed by right.
Attorney Jonathan R. Stark-Sachs, representing Silva, argued additional housing meets a need and allowed on the street with a special permit.
“We do believe community needs are served by this project, by providing additional housing units on an underutilized lot and these all would be owner-occupied units, as opposed to rental. The traffic and the parking, we think, would be adequately served by the three separate driveways,” he said.
It became clear early on most councilors planned to side with neighbors. Ward 1 Councilor Ralph T. Basiliere pointed out neighbors are acting reasonable by seeking only a limit of two units. “We have the neighbors—not with their hair on fire saying, ‘not in my backyard, you know absolutely not.’ They’re saying, they’re okay with the by-right,” he said.
Ward 3 Councilor Devan M. Ferreira, whose district includes the neighborhood, noted the property is closer to Main Street as opposed to Lawrence Street where there are more single-family homes. She became the lone voice in favor.
“It is, historically, where there are triple-deckers and where there are three-families between Main Street and the avenues, right across the street there. On one corner of Marshland Street, right there, you have the United Methodist Church and their large parking lot. You have a home that I believe is a duplex—it’s very tall with garages underneath—and then you have some single-family homes from there,” she said.
The City Council ultimately voted 8-1 against with Council Vice President John A. Michitson, and Councilors Thomas J. Sullivan, Basiliere, Daniel R. Diodati, Melissa J. Lewandowski, Shaun P. Toohey, Michael S. McGonagle and Catherine P. Rogers opposed and Ferreira in favor. Council President Timothy J. Jordan and Colin F. LePage were absent.