MARION — The Planning Board meeting on Feb. 22 kept up with the twos theme, by touching on two riverfront projects, one a 48-unit development and one a 120-unit 40B development, each in different stages of the planning process.  

Matthew Zuker appeared before the board for an informal conversation on his proposed 48-unit housing development at 78 Wareham Road. Zucker needs a zoning change to accommodate his proposed density at the site, and unsuccessfully brought the zoning change before Town Meeting last fall. 

The developer said that he has not changed anything about the plans, but he feels like he focused too much on architectural plans in presenting the project at Town Meeting before, and “did not do a good job of getting information on the impacts of the project out.”

Zucker said that the project would also place a deed restriction on the area if the zoning change is approved so that the density would be limited to what he currently proposes. 

He plans to hold several information sessions to inform Marion residents about the project in March, but Planning Board members gave him several questions to consider over the course of their discussion. Board member Chris Collings asked about sewer plans for the project, which Zuker said are still in development but should be available before Town Meeting. 

Board member Alanna Nelson noticed a theme of Town Meeting voters asking about using the property recreationally, and wanted to know if Zucker had addressed those comments.  

Planning Board Chair Will Saltonstall said that people would likely have concerns about density, traffic and safety, and Zuker should have information on all of those issues prepared to share with the public. 

Planning Board member Jon Henry brought up the elephant in the room, which was that it was difficult to weigh in on Zuker’s request without knowing what would happen with the Heron Cove development. 

Zuker responded that he did not know any information on that, but has been keeping a close eye on it. 

Because the Heron Cove Estates project is regulated by section 40B of state law, it goes through a different approval process and does not allow the town as much oversight as another development would. The larger project will only have to come before the Zoning Board. 

The Zoning Board of Appeals asked the Marion Planning Board to comment on waiver requests for the Heron Cove project at its Feb. 22 meeting. However, Planning Board members largely felt unwilling to comment on the project without seeing a plan for it. 

Planning Board member Eileen Marum had some initial comments, and asked the Zoning Board to take erosion control and stormwater management for the proposed 120-unit, 40B project. 

However, Saltonstall said that there would likely be several rounds of Planning Board comment on the Heron Cove project once the board receives new information.