Malden Planning Board grants special permit to transform Salem St. office building into veterans housing

Volunteers of America-Mass. will undertake 18-month renovation project to create 12 studio apts.

By Steve Freker

A project that just received a final municipal “green light” in October will transform a three-story Salem Street office building into a new home for at least a dozen Malden veterans. The Malden Planning Board voted at its October monthly meeting to grant Volunteers of America Massachusetts (VOAMASS) a special permit to renovate the property at 105–105A Salem St. and create 12 studio apartments designated for veterans. Under the city’s inclusionary zoning rules, 10 of these units would be reserved as affordable housing units, as part of the Planning Board’s decision.

VOAMASS acquired the property, which was previously used as office space, particularly as the longtime law offices for several prominent Malden attorneys. The building is located less than a quarter mile from downtown Malden Square and is situated on one of the city’s most heavily used public transportation bus lines, two highly favorable reasons it was selected for the veterans housing “do-over” by VOAMASS.

On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson expressed strong support of the project and thanked VOAMASS and local board and city officials, as well as state federal officials, for their roles in backing this endeavor. (See separate story in today’s edition.)

At the October Planning Board meeting, Volunteers of America representatives Matt Lane, Vice President of Real Estate, and VOAMASS President Charles Gagneux both addressed the board. According to an online report, at the meeting the pair detailed VOAMASS’ operations with existing veterans housing in the region, including services it offers in conjunction with the housing. They said the organization’s goal “is to pair housing with services such as housing specialists, employment supports and recovery coaching.”

The VOAMASS reps said “[VOA is] committed to really making a significant investment in 105 Salem Street,” noting the group had met with neighbors and elected officials in September.

A public meeting describing the plans was held in September at Malden City Hall, where abutters and other city residents attended and, according to letters received by the Planning Board, expressed support for the project. Mayor Christenson, Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley, several residents of the immediate neighborhood and several local organizations all sent letters expressing support of the project, with none opposing the proposal received.

According to reports, at the October meeting regarding the special permit request, architect Michael Whitmore presented site plans and revised parking and landscaping drawings prepared after city peer review. The proposal would convert the 2,000-square-foot existing building and 10,000-square-foot lot and provide 12 parking spaces and include a van accessible handicapped space, which would satisfy the Malden zoning requirement of one parking space per unit. The site is in the Residential Office zoning district and the proposal creates and increases several preexisting, nonconforming situations on open space, yard setbacks and density. The inclusionary zoning rules require a minimum number of affordable units when eight or more dwelling units are proposed, but VOA Mass proposed 10 affordable units, exceeding the ordinance’s minimum.

A compliance letter from the Malden Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) and a memorandum of understanding (MOA) on affordable unit obligations was also provided at the October meeting. According to reports, the city’s planning staff report recommended approval, provided the board made required findings and listed the following conditions:

—Maximum units and bedrooms

—Preservation of the affordable-unit obligations

—Incorporation landscaping additions

—Repair of privacy fencing

—Petitioning the traffic commission for a no-parking sign at the planned exit space of the residential facility

—Visual and acoustic screening for rooftop mechanicals

—Prohibition on permanent dumpsters (trash to be stored in lidded totes in an enclosed area and serviced by a private hauler)

—A minimum of eight bicycle parking spaces

The Planning Board voted to grant the permit with the expressed conditions. The VOAMASS representatives said occupancy at the 105 Salem St. site would be expected by May 2027 after an approximately 18-month construction period.

***

Editor’s Note: What is Volunteers Across America?

Founded in 1896, Volunteers Across America is a faith-based nonprofit with programs in 47 states, including Massachusetts, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, serving more than two million people a year. It’s mission: “Volunteers of America, illustrating the presence of God through all that we do, serves people and communities in need and creates opportunities for people to experience the joy of serving others.”

The nonprofit’s major source of revenue is government funding through grants and contracts at the federal, state and local levels, as well as private donations and corporate partnerships, such as The Home Depot Foundation.