Paragon Dunes project in Hull wins key approval

The word “harmonious” was a point of contention for some members of Hull’s planning board.

Would a large development at the entrance to the oceanside town, bringing with it 132 market-rate apartments and over 9,000 square feet of commercial space on Nantasket Avenue, be “harmonious” with Hull?

After discussing the term for about 20 minutes during the four-hour meeting Wednesday evening, the majority of the board decided that yes, the Paragon Dunes fifth submitted plan for development was harmonious with the “terrain, use, scale, architectural character and proportions of existing and proposed buildings” in the area.

More: This change to Paragon Dunes project in Hull might just be the ticket

The planning board ultimately voted 5 to 1 and approved The Procopio Companies’ application for site plan review and Nantasket Beach Overlay District special permit. This was a key approval for the developer, leading them step closer toward putting shovels to soil.

What happens next for the Paragon Dunes development?

The developer still must go through the town’s conservation commission and get various approvals from state entities.

The planning board will continue its discussion of special conditions for the project on April 3, but has officially closed the public hearing. This means that while the meeting can be heard by the public, neither the public nor developer can provide input on these development conditions. This also starts the 90-day clock for when the planning board must tie up any outstanding approvals.

This move was sought by the developer’s representatives to put a more definitive timeline to the project, as they approach an April 30 deadline to close on the properties at 189 and 193 Nantasket Ave. from the proprietors of the Paragon Boardwalk. Part of the agreement to purchase the properties was getting site plan approval from the planning board.

Previous coverage: Could time run out for Paragon Dunes project? Tensions rise at latest Hull meeting

Procopio made additional tweaks to the project after meeting with the town’s Design Review Board, and also met with utilities officials.

But the review board, which gives recommendations to the planning board, still took issue with a number of things about the project, including the size, commercial parking and lack of affordable housing. Residents also expressed similar concerns.

Paragon Dunes a 'harmonious' project?

The Nantasket Beach Overlay District was created during a town meeting in 2013 to revitalize the economy and balance the commercial and residential tax base by promoting mixed use development along Nantasket Avenue from Phipps Street to Park Avenue.

As the planning board voted on various findings to determine if it fit within the district, deciding whether the Paragon Dunes project was “harmonious” with the surrounding area led to discussion of issues and concerns that have existed since the project's proposal.

Board member Jeanne Paquin, who was the sole dissenter for approving the site plan, said the project is “not working for me” in terms of size and architecture.

“For a project of this magnitude, this has been a very compressed process. I just don’t feel comfortable with it,” she said. “I’m just not comfortable with the size of the building next to those little treasures of ours.”

Previous coverage: Reimagined Paragon Boardwalk could be part of new project in Hull

Paquin and others frequently expressed concern about the project overshadowing the clock tower and museum with mementos of the old Paragon Park.

Fellow board member Steve White said he understood her issues, but said they have to set aside personal feelings. White added that the project, while "not perfect," could be a good thing for these elements of the town, noting that the upkeep of the comfort station and clock tower have been subpar.

“This is where we take all our personal preferences as board members, or we take our personal philosophies as board members, and it comes down to the rules and the laws by which we have to make a decision,” he said.

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at hmorse@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Paragon Dunes project in Hull wins key approval