By Brian Denitzio
News Editor

Clam Point Civic Association voted Monday night to reject a proposal for three two-family homes to be constructed on a lot at 1-3 Elm Street. Density and setting a precedent for future developments were cited as major concerns by those opposed to the development. The association voted 36 to 10 votes in opposition to the project.

The association has no meetings scheduled during the summer months, but called a special meeting to take up the Elm Street proposal prior to its July 25 hearing before the city's Zoning Board of Appeals.

Project developer Richard Martin addressed the group, and presented his plans that call for three two-family homes to be constructed on a 26,000 sq.ft. lot that is adjacent to the MBTA right of way. The heavily wooded property sits at the end of a one-way street. Martin could construct two single-family homes on the site as of right, but said that his goal in the project was to construct housing that would be affordable to young families. He added that if the association were to approve his proposal, he would agree to put sell one of the three units at "10-15 percent" below market value. Martin cited his commitment to the neighborhood&emdash;he resides across the street from the proposed site&emdash;and his willingness to work with the community in finding buyers or renters as reasons why the association should look favorably upon his proposal.

Martin's proposal was followed by remarks from Shea Ennen, a representative from the association's development committee. Citing density and a desire to deal fairly with all developers, Ennen said that the committee did not support Martin's proposal. The group instead favored granting support for Martin to construct two two-family homes at the site.

"If we do something like Rick is proposing…then everybody on Mill St. can do the same thing. We want to protect ourselves from density," said Ennen.

The tone of the discussion was sometimes tense. Ennen stated when the development committee questioned Martin about why he needed to build three units on the property, he stated that he would not make enough money to cover the costs of the project by building only two units. In light of the fact Martin recently purchased 7 Elm Street, Ennen said "clearly money is not an issue."

Martin bristled at this stating, "I'm sick of you poisoning people.

Later Martin said that the committee's opposition to his project was personal, and not a matter of precedent.

"It's more of an attack on me personally than opposition to this project," said Martin.

"We are trying to keep precedent in place by treating developers equally," Ennen responded, and asked that the association vote to oppose Martin's development.