Essex Planning Board Continues 44 Main Street Mixed-Use Hearing to July 2

ESSEX -- June 18, 2025, Essex Planning Board continues 44 Main Street mixed-use hearing as neighbors raise scale and traffic concerns. The board opened a public hearing June 18 on a special permit application by Costello Construction and Remodeling, represented by attorney Joel Favazza of Seaside Legal Solutions, to demolish an 1880s-era building and replace it with a six-unit residential and one-unit commercial mixed-use structure, the type of density that requires a special permit under the town's 2021 Downtown Zoning District. Neighbors at 40 and 46 Main Street pressed Favazza on the scale of the building relative to its surroundings, the possibility of future development on the parcel's undeveloped rear half, and traffic at the Main Street and Burnham Court access points; DPW Commissioner Wesley Burnham, 22 County Road, told the board that sewer capacity constraints alone would prevent any additional building on the lot. Board member Kim recused herself as a Burnham Court abutter. The hearing was continued to July 2 at 8 p.m. In separate action the same evening, the board unanimously approved a preliminary subdivision plan review for the proposed 36-lot Open Space Residential Development at Essex Park Road, meeting a June 20 state deadline, and continued that special permit hearing also to July 2 at 7 p.m.