New Subdivision Moves Ahead at WESX Site

Marblehead moved a step closer this week to having at least four new homes in a subdivision at the north end of town. 

The Planning Board approved a special permit for Symes Associates to build four of seven proposed new houses on the old WESX radio station land at Naugus Avenue and Intervale Road.

Approval of two of the four homes for construction still must clear the Conservation Commission because the lots include wetlands.

The three additional homes will be considered at the Planning Board's next meeting on July 13.

Rebecca Curran, the town planner, said a "seven-lot project is large for Marblehead" where there is little open land to build seven new homes.

The neighbors turned out in force for the second open hearing on the new homes this week. They heard detailed reports from engineers, architects and other experts on landscaping and drainage, offering suggestions and raising questions about the impact the new houses and a proposed new street would have on water drainage on their properties.

"There were a lot of perceptions and misperceptions," said board Chairman Philip Helmes. "I think we got a lot of things cleared up tonight."

Jeff Rhuda, business development manager for Symes, said he expects once the houses are finished, "the neighbors will be happier."

The plan is to tear down the dilapidated WESX station building and the signal tower that stands on the property.

The town has a history with the property. It proposed to buy the land from Mercury Partners for $1 million with plans to leave it as open space. But that offer was rejected. Symes bought the property for $50,000 more.

"We liked the location and the land itself," Rhuda said. "The price was appropriate."

For Symes, a Beverly real estate developer, the Marblehead project is small compared to other projects it has built around the state, Rhuda said. It is the company's first project in Marblehead.

The seven houses, once approved, will be 2,000 to 3,000 square feet.  They will range in price from $600,000 to $900,000. Sales will be handled by Jack Attridge with the William Raveis Real Estate.

Rhuda said, once approved, the road and three of the houses would be built immediately. Depending on how quickly those houses are sold, the others would be built, he said. He expects the entire project to be completed in 18 months.

The board asked that Symes build the house with wood or Hardie board siding, not vinyl siding. Rhuda readily agreed to the change in design.

"It would be more in keeping with the character of the neighborhood," Helmes said.

The drainage system and the new Mound Street, which was first drawn on a map in 1917, will be turned over to two new homeowners associations for maintenance.  The developer had to create two associations because the cost of maintaining the street will be high and will serve only three of the new houses.