Scituate Zoning Board Continues 40B Hearing Pending Traffic Study, Peer Review

SCITUATE -- June 22, 2026, Scituate Zoning Board opens first public hearing on a 24-unit 40B development proposed for a historically wet parcel on First Parish Road. First Parish Village, LLC, is seeking a comprehensive permit under Chapter 40B to build four residential buildings, two eight-unit and two four-unit structures, on 2.54 acres at 210-214-218 First Parish Road, with six affordable units; attorney Michael O'Shaughnessy and civil engineer Bob Rego of River Hawk Environmental presented the project to the board, which is chaired by Chris Karsha. More than 35 residents packed the hearing room, with speakers including registered professional engineer John Chesia of 215 First Parish Road and financial professional Kenneth Jacobson of 169 First Parish Road raising detailed objections to the applicant's stormwater modeling, calling the soil classification in the report questionable and the infiltration system margins "only inches" above the modeled groundwater mound. Town Planner Karen Joseph said no drainage test-pit data appeared in the actual submittal and asked why the buildings could not meet the required 30-foot front-yard setback, while Building Commissioner Clark Brewer called the front placement "shocking for the neighborhood." The board continued the hearing to August 3 at 7 p.m., pending a stamped traffic study from Vanasse and Associates and the selection of a town-retained peer-review engineer; Scituate's affordable housing inventory currently stands at approximately 6.8 percent, below the state's 10 percent threshold.