PROVINCETOWN — Local developer Thomas Tannariello wants to build 12 condominium units on a .58-acre lot on Nelson Avenue. Two units would be deed-restricted as affordable dwellings.
Tannariello’s company, Tri-T, plans to build using the town’s inclusionary and incentive zoning bylaw, enacted by voters in 2017 to encourage developers to contribute to Provincetown’s supply of affordable housing.
“Given that any development of affordable housing is normally a 10-year-long process,” said Michelle Jarusiewicz, Provincetown’s community housing specialist, “the bylaw has given the town a speedy and cost-effective way to add to the affordable housing mix.”
The bylaw allows for greater density than would otherwise be permitted in exchange for the inclusion of affordable housing. Projects permitted under the rule must have 16 percent of their total units deed-restricted as affordable; otherwise, the developer must pay into a fund for affordable housing.
The developer’s plans go through an extensive review process and must receive a special permit from the planning board.
With the board’s hearing on the proposal less than a month away, some neighbors are already voicing concerns about parking and density.
The project proposed for 22-22R Nelson Ave. meets all the bylaw’s dimensional requirements for setbacks and lot coverage. Tannariello will need a special permit under the general bylaw for site plan review for an increase of three or more residential units on one lot. An additional special permit will be required since he proposes more than six buildings. Tannariello has applied for 12 one-bedroom units with basements in seven two-story buildings. Five buildings would have two units each and two buildings would house freestanding units.
The hearing on the plan was scheduled for Feb. 10 but was delayed to March 10 at Tannariello’s request.
The planning board has received several letters in opposition.
The plan calls for 15 parking spaces, which exceeds the town’s requirement of 12, but neighbors say it’s still not enough.
“Existing multi-unit dwellings with limited off-street parking have resulted in a surplus of vehicles lining both sides of the street,” wrote Michael Gaucher, who lives at 20 Nelson Ave., in a letter to the board.
Gaucher also objected to one unit’s patio being 80 feet away from his deck.
Keryn (Beth) O’Donnell lives across the street from the site. She asked the planning board to consider decreasing the number of units from 12 to seven, with two of those being affordable.
“This level of density will irrevocably change the character of this quiet neighborhood,” wrote O’Donnell.
There were other concerns over drainage and the addition of septic systems in an area that is not currently on a sewer line. Neighbors also objected to trees being cut down.
But not all letters were critical.
“Not only will this provide much needed housing, but also provide a couple of affordable units,” wrote Gregory Gundling of 6B Nelson Ave.
Brian Bator, a year-round resident of 16 Nelson Ave., gave his enthusiastic endorsement to Tannariello’s proposal, writing it will “bring new vitality to our neighborhood.”
Other projects that have been approved under the inclusionary bylaw include two at 30 Shank Painter Road, one at Harbor Hill, and two at 286A Bradford St., according to Town Planner Thaddeus Soule.
A total of three others are in the permitting stages now, said Jarusiewicz. One of them is a seven-unit proposal for 50 Nelson Ave. by Dol-Fin LLC, whose principal is Maria Cirino. It includes one affordable unit onsite and a payment for a second that would be built elsewhere. That project has stirred little opposition. Her buildings will be set at the end of a long driveway off the street.
