Town and Developer See Different Options for 62-Acre Parcel

COHASSET, MA-While AvalonBay Communities would like to develop a residential complex on the 62-acre site here on King Street, the town would prefer to see the property developed for commercial use.

The property, which is currently in an industrial district, is one of the last large commercial sites in town. But the Virginia-based developer, which has an option to purchase the land from the current owner, Susi Company, is looking to apply for a comprehensive permit under the state’s affordable housing law, according to Robert Egan, the town’s building commissioner. Because the town only has three 3% of its housing designated as affordable, AvalonBay can circumvent the local zoning laws to develop its residential project here as long as at least 25% of its complex is affordable. The developer plans to have 25% of its 254 units designated affordable.