SHREWSBURY – The Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals on July 17 unanimously approved Emerald Run, a 300-unit development planned for 33-69 Green St. in the southeast corner of town near Route 20.
Developed by Pulte Homes of New England, the project will include six four-story buildings on a roughly 36-acre lot. The design — which includes one section with five buildings and another section, closer to Route 20, with one building — is compact, with about 20 acres of the surrounding wetlands left untouched.
The 40B development will have 75 units priced as “affordable housing.” The state’s 40B law allows developers to sidestep many local zoning regulations as long as 25% of the units are “affordable.”
Pulte worked with the town to create a “friendly 40B” project.
RELATED CONTENT: 40B project heads to Shrewsbury Zoning Board of Appeals
As part of the development, the developer is giving Shrewsbury a stretch of land between South Street and Green Street, which could be used to connect the two streets. A road would allow residents in the area easier access to Green Street’s signalized intersection with Route 20. The town would be responsible for constructing any road. The connection was first conceptualized by former Select Board member Moe DePalo.
Pulte Homes also worked with Town Manager Kevin Mizikar to adapt the project. Additions include clubhouse space, pickleball courts and extra patios.
RELATED CONTENT: ZBA reviews traffic impact of 300-unit development
“I would commend you on the fact that you’re bringing 300 units of homeownership to the town,” said ZBA Chair Maribeth Lynch just before approving the project. “The way you design your complexes — it’s beautifully done. I think our town would be made better with 300 new units. Thank you for making them available for sale.”
The plan — which was submitted in November — was approved after seven meetings which covered every aspect of the project, including traffic and stormwater-related matters.
