A change of plans may prove favorable for a potential new subdivision in Mattapoisett, and increase affordable housing in the town.

Developer David Nicolosi originally planned to create seven housing lots for his new development Deer Woods off Deerfield Road in Mattapoisett.

But the possibility of an expensive traffic study for the land, which is near Route 6, and other potential permitting issues caused Nicolosi to bring an alternate option to the Planning Board on Monday.

Originally, Nicolosi said, “I thought it would be something that would be beneficial and well received.”

But the developer said he got “mixed signals” when he went before the Planning Board in November and December.

An excavation contractor, Nicolosi said he wanted to create five spacious “estate lots” on the nearly 60-acre property. Two additional “conventional lots” would be situated closer to Route 6.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t get the feel from the board that it was something they would embrace,” he said.

The mention of doing a traffic study, which Nicolosi said costs $7,000, was a source of frustration.

“If I’m going to spend money as if I was doing a full-blown development then that’s what I’m going to do,” Nicolosi said. “I have a full-blown plan which is approximately 31 houses, the maximum yield.”

On Monday, Nicolosi brought the revised plans to the board for consideration, saying he hoped negotiations would result in something closer to his original proposal.

One of the main differences in his plans is to submit it as a special residential development.

“An SRD is more flexible than the regular subdivision control,” said Planning Board member John Mathieu. “Knowing the area there, that makes sense.”

The new plan would have four to five estate lots and at least one townhouse rental closer to Route 6, rather than two houses.

Because the other land around the front of the property is already zoned as mixed-use, Nicolosi said, “It’s more in keeping with what’s already there.”

An additional benefit to the rentals would be increasing the number of affordable housing residences in the town.

“We’re under that state ratio for affordable housing,” said Mathieu. “This proposal would actually give us some units that count for that.”

The board agreed to table Nicolosi’s original plan while the revised plan is put under review.