Braintree Planning Board Reopens 972 Main Street Mixed-Use Permit

BRAINTREE -- May 12, 2026, Braintree Planning Board votes to reopen the special permit for a mixed-use building at 972 Main Street, citing significant design changes. The board voted four to zero, with one recusal, to reopen the October 2025 special permit for the Treetop Group project at 972 Main Street after Building Commissioner Tom Kennedy told members he could not issue a building permit under the revised plans without board waivers on a five-foot rear parking setback, a 20-foot drive aisle, and tandem parking spaces. Board member Brian said the revised building "looks a little like a bait and switch," calling the approved design "a welcoming building" that the bottom rendering failed to match. Applicant attorney Mike Cabral argued the changes were minor accommodations to building department directives and did not constitute a material modification. The board also voted unanimously to select historic preservation specialist Wendy Frontiero as peer reviewer for the 910 Main Street redevelopment project, and voted four to zero to recommend favorable action on a two-family new construction at 540-542 Washington Street, which seeks square-footage relief under zoning section 9.5.1 for a combined gross floor area of 7,183 square feet.