James Lanagan of Dartmouth-based J.B. Lanagan Developers and Edward A. Fish, owner of Boston-based Suffolk Construction were looking to develop the project on an approximately five acre lot, currently owned by David Macintyre. The development was to have a 25% affordable housing component which enabled the developers to apply for a comprehensive permit for the project. The permit allows developers to bypass local zoning laws if the development has 25% affordable housing and the town has not met its 10% affordable housing requirement.

The town official points out that the zoning board of appeals was prepared to approve the project for 64 units in two story buildings. But, she says, it "never came to that." Fish sent a letter to the board stating that he was dropping out of the project. "The letter says that his is a four generation company and he wanted the town to be in agreement with the proposal," the official points out. "There a lot of opposition to the project from the abutters and they see themselves as a company that people want in their town." Local residents were concerned that the project was too large for the site.

The town official says that the board was allowed to reject the project because Lanagan did not provide a letter to the board demonstrating that he still had the financial backing.