"This is the most significant regulatory hurdle," Denise Gaffey, the city planner, tells GlobeSt.com. Pembroke, the real estate arm of Fidelity Investments, wants to build its complex on a parcel that consists of three different zoning designations. The largest parcel is in a business zone but the developer was approved for a special permit to have a residential use in that area. Pembroke was also approved for a special permit to have increased density on the site but at 400 units the density is within zoning regulations anyway.

Gaffey points out that the developer still needs to go to the zoning board of appeals to build its complex on the other two parcels, which are zoned for commercial business use and urban residential use.

There was some local opposition to this project due mainly to the increase in traffic from a project this size. But Gaffey notes that the developer has agreed to a number of mitigation measures that she says in the end will improve traffic conditions. Among the measures are new signalization and the upgrading of a nearby intersection as well as signage along Main St.