Selectmen Approve Final Plans for 'Friendly 40B' on Washington Street

A local initiative project is well on it's way to construction on Washington Street.

Selectmen approved final plans for a "friendly 40B" at 244 Washington Street last week. The plans call for 38 units and 2400 square feet of retail space near Jim's Auto Body.

The plans moved past the Easton Historical Commission and were back in front of Selectmen last week, who approved initial plans over the summer.

"They’ve upgraded the aesthetic to be a little bit more pleasing," Town Administrator David Colton told Selectmen.

After signing a building permit for the Shovel Shop project last year, Easton is currently in the middle of a two-year stay, where the zoning board has the ability to reject or accept proposals that would bring the number of affordable housing units to the state-required 10 percent.

Adding 44 units per year would extend Easton's "stay."

"This and a couple of small things should get us another year," Colton said.

The development, which is proposed by Developer Amos Eisenberg, is moving forward as a Local Initiative Project, which seeks to "stimulate the production of affordable housing opportunities by fostering cooperation between municipalities and housing developers," according to the Department of Housing and Economic Development.

"We're working cooperatively with the developer to make sure we get another year," Board of Selectmen Chair Colleen Corona said.

The design approved by the Historical Commission presented a muted color palate of dark brown and tan.

After approval from Selectmen last week, the project will now move forward to the Easton Board of Appeals.