Beverly Planning Board Rejects Minor-Modification Claim for Unauthorized Everett Street Building Changes

BEVERLY -- July 20, 2021, Beverly Planning Board orders public hearing on unauthorized changes to completed Everett Street residential building. The board voted 7-2 at its July 20 meeting to reject developer Zero Everett Street LLC's request to have roughly 10 as-built departures from an approved site plan, including shingled gables, a modified dormer, replacement of arborvitae with Bradford pear trees, and altered walkways, deemed minor modifications, setting a public hearing for August 17, 2021. Chair Ellen Hutchinson told attorney Tom Alexander the developer had "repeatedly come back and asked for forgiveness" rather than permission, and member Derek Beckwith called the conduct "outrageous." The building's two units were already sold and occupied under temporary certificates of occupancy, which Hutchings said could be rescinded if the developer fails to comply with whatever conditions the board ultimately sets. In separate unanimous action, the board approved a minor modification to the new Beverly Police Station site plan at 175 Elliott Street, adding roughly 5,375 square feet of pavement to support a solar canopy array aimed at making the building carbon neutral.