Politics & Government
ZBA Approves Whiting Ave. Mixed-Use Complex
Residents still concerned about traffic issues.
The Dedham Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday unanimously approved special permits for an apartment and commercial building at 408 Whiting Ave.
The owner, David Raferty, will demolish the three buildings standing on the 28,000 square-foot property to build a two-story, 7,000 square-foot mixed-use building, the developer's lawyer Peter Zahka said.
The parking lot will accommodate 40 spots with parking for the one bedroom apartments in the back and an 8-foot fence surround the perimeter.
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Zahka said with architecture of the building and of the new landscape being planned, “the site will dramatically improve,” adding he believes it will, “have minimal negative impact.”
He said that area has a “unique zoning” for the town. One side of Whiting Avenue is zoned for residential while the other is zoned for limited manufacturing. He noted that no one can build one- or two-family homes there.
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Michael McKay, the project's architect, said the new design has gable facing in the front with trusses and a sloping roof that is similar to many homes in the area.
Zahka said after meeting with neighbors twice, Raferty agreed to never allow a restaurant, variety store, liquor store, or commercial laundromat on the site.
ZBA chairman James McGrail said they received close to 30 letters of support from local businesses and residents throughout Dedham, but none living on Whiting Avenue.
McGrail said he believes the project will add to the neighborhood.
But neighbors believe a commercial-residential property will bring traffic to an already busy street where speeding occurs often and safety is a major concern. A traffic study found the average speed near 408 Whiting Avenue to be 36 mph.
Resident Rhea Hoch said she believes the traffic situation will need to addressed and suggested a stop sign before the hill at Fairview Street.
“People are nuts on that street,” abutter Yvette Chute said. “Thirty-six is too fast for a blind hill.”