The site is currently zoned for residential use and according toJoe Bator, managing director for the Philadelphia-based company'sBoston office, the town approached the company about developing anoffice building on the site. Bator tells GlobeSt.com that the townwas concerned that an affordable housing complex would be put inthere instead. "Unfortunately, we went through the zoning changeprocess, and we didn't get approved," notes Bator, who points outthat most town officials want an office building on the site. Batorsays that local residents "just want it to be open space or to geta better deal from us." O'Neill has offered to preserve some of theland as conservation space and to resolve traffic issues as part ofa community benefits package.

O'Neill acquired this property as part of a 40-acre tract herein 1998. The other part of the site is occupied by Arthur D.Little. Bator says that his company is still talking to townofficials about developing an office building but he says they arenot planning on making any changes to the building plan. "The townwould like us to re-propose it," he says, but adds that his companyis considering developing an affordable housing project on thesite. "We told them they can't expect us not to do anything withthe property," notes Bator.