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.