After 11 years of modifications to Bay Watch Realty’s proposal to build a 40B affordable housing project in Marion, Zoning Board of Appeals members said the project could be ready to go before fall Town Meeting for approval.

Zoning Board members said the project could move forward so long as the plans receive engineering approval and the number of affordable housing units can be determined by the board.

The plans for the 96-unit housing development include 60 affordable housing apartments and 36 single-family homes for sale at market rate.

The Board of Selectmen had previously requested that 25 percent of the single-family homes be classified as affordable housing.

During the March 8 public hearing, Ken Steen, a representative from Bay Watch Realty, said the realty group is considering making two of the homes affordable housing.

Having only two of the 36 homes be affordable would fall short of the eight, or 25 percent, suggested by the Selectmen.

Steen said the number of single-family “affordable” homes is subject to change, however, and that Bay Watch Realty is willing to work with town officials.

The Zoning Board has postponed a decision on the number of affordable housing units until the next public hearing on March 22. After the board decides on the number of affordable housing units, the project will be another step closer to Town Meeting.

Zoning Board Chair Bob Wedge also asked that the representatives from Bay Watch Realty continue to review plans with civil engineer John Churchill in the hope that the details regarding utility use and maintenance of the road leading into the development be resolved.

Churchill raised concern over how the water and drainage system inside of the development would connect to the town’s lines.

Though he is a new consultant on the project, Churchill says he has not seen the water and drainage system outlined in any of the plans.

“We don’t know if what they are providing will be adequate,” Churchill said. “They need to show us so we can observe if there are any conflicts on water or gas.”

Attorney for Bay Watch Realty, Paul Haverty, said the plans for the water and drainage system had already been approved, but that the realty group would include better details on a final plan to highlight the utilities on the site.

Selectmen Chair John Henry suggested an article go before fall Town Meeting requesting that the town purchase the road leading into the development. This, Henry said, would make maintenance easier on the town and on the residents.

“We need to embrace this project and to do that, it would be better for us to get our hands around all of the utilities,” Henry said.

Town attorney Jon Witten suggested the Zoning Board wait to decide on drafting an article to Town Meeting about the road until the exact measurements and plans have been finalized.

Churchill also raised concern with a proposed wooden bridge connecting the development with the road. Churchill suggested a structural engineer be brought in to review the plans to ensure that the bridge would be sound.

The bridge would be the sole entrance and exit from the development which caused concern from Building Commissioner Scott Shippey and members of the Zoning Board.

Haverty said that Bay Watch Realty is constructing an emergency access to the development, which could potentially infringe on an abutter’s property.

Shippey suggested the realty group meet with Marion Fire Chief Thomas Joyce to discuss how best to construct the emergency access.

Bay Watch Realty has modified plans for roadways inside the development. Responding to concerns about roads being too narrow for emergency vehicles, the company changed roadway widths from 18 feet wide to 22 feet wide.

The Zoning Board agreed to continue the public hearing on March 22.

Wedge said he hopes some of the outstanding issues with utilities and affordable housing units will be resolved by the time.

“To a larger extent we’re on the same page,” Wedge said. “It’s important to reconcile our local rules.”