Harwich ZBA continues 40B housing review, flags traffic and environmental questions

HARWICH -- February 26, 2026, Harwich Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously continued a 60-unit affordable housing 40B hearing to April 23 after flagging traffic, parking, and environmental concerns. The board reviewed responses from developer Penrose LLC, agent for the Howard Affordable Housing Trust, to questions raised at the January hearing, including a disputed parking ratio of 1.25 spaces per unit that board members compared unfavorably to the roughly 1.5-to-1 ratio approved for the nearby Pine Oaks Village development. Traffic peer-review consultant Michael Santos of VHB reported that westbound queues at the Queen Anne Road and Pleasant Lake Avenue intersection can already reach 325 feet under existing conditions, approximately the distance to the proposed driveway, and that Penrose's project would add roughly 20 peak-hour trips to the approach, which he called "a minor impact." Written comments from Police Chief Kevin Conley advised against an Oak Street secondary access due to sight-line deficiencies; eight residents from Oak Street and Red Pine Drive echoed that warning in public comment. Board Chair John August also flagged a Phase 1 environmental site assessment from October 2025 that found soil piles and empty drums on the property, with Penrose confirming a Phase 2 study will follow before construction advances.