The Marion “40B” affordable housing project has gone through many changes over the past 11 years, yet, the Zoning Board of Appeals says the applicant still has to address concerns regarding wetlands protection, the percentage of affordable housing units, the width of the roadways, and missing reports.

On Jan. 26, an additional hearing for the project was scheduled for February to give the applicant, Bay Watch Realty Trust, enough time to address these concerns.

Zoning Board Chairman Bob Wedge informed representatives from the Bay Watch Realty that, due to clerical error, they were given outdated copies of the local zoning bylaws. Bay Watch Realty was given copies of the town’s 2007 bylaws when they applied for the modified permit instead of the most recent and updated version put into effect in 2009.

Wedge said that the Board would have to give Bay Watch Realty an extension to review the updated bylaws. The 2009 revisions require additional reports for Bay Watch Realty to be filed with the Zoning Board before a permit can be issued.

The Zoning Board members agreed to postpone any vote on the project until the next meeting with Bay Watch Realty on February 23.

Despite the delay, representatives for Bay Watch Realty presented their modifications to the original permit application filed in 2001 addressing concerns voiced from abutters and town officials.

Attorney for Bay Watch Realty, Ted Regnante, said the modifications to the 96-unit housing development include a 6.5-acre area of wetlands on the property to be guaranteed for conservation use.

Several committees in Marion, including the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission, have raised concerns with the project fearing it may disrupt the natural habitat. To protect the environment, Regnante said the developers have proposed a wooden bridge cover the wetlands area.

Bay Watch Realty, he said, has proposed the modifications to limit local opposition to the project.

“We feel we have amended the project to address the concerns many folks have had,” Regnante said. “We want to work with you, whatever you deem appropriate.”

Another issued raised with the project concerns how many of the 96-units will be affordable housing. The Board of Selectmen have suggested that 25 percent of the homes be considered as affordable housing.

Regnante said, of the 96 housing units proposed by Bay Watch Realty, 60 will be affordable housing apartments and 36 will be single-family homes for sale. Again he said that Bay Watch Realty is willing to revise this plan if the local committees see it to do so.

“These will not be large homes, but we hope to make these homes available to a great many people,” Regnante said.

Building Commissioner Scott Shippey said he worried that the roads leading from Route 105 to the housing development will be too narrow for emergency vehicles.

“I have major concerns with public safety,” Shippey said. “I drive a ladder truck, and there’s no way I’d be able to turn that around on those roads.”

The Zoning Board suggested Bay Watch Realty, Shippey, and Fire Chief Thomas Joyce schedule a meeting to review the plans.

“We think it’s a great idea to meet with the fire department and figure out what you need to do to make the area safe,” Wedge said.