Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District - Margin, High, and Endicott Street

This page is intended to provide updates on the 40R subdistrict proposed to be located at 56 Margin Street, 54 Margin Street, 7 High Street, 20 Endicott Street, and 24 Endicott Street. To learn more about about 40R and Smart Growth generally, please see the 40R Strategy page here or contact Elena Eimert, Senior Planner, at eeimert@salem.com, or 978-619-5685.

The City of Salem is considering the establishment of a Smart Growth Overlay District, with a subdistrict located on the property located at 56 Margin Street, 54 Margin Street, 7 High Street, 20 Endicott Street, and 24 Endicott Street. This zoning overlay would enable the redevelopment of the existing Lifebridge shelter facility to increase from 50 to 70 beds (and shift those from congregate to non-congregate) and add 68 Single Room Occupancy housing units.

For general questions about 40R, please consult the FAQ on the 40R Strategy page. Questions on the proposed zoning should be directed to Elena Eimert at eeimert@salem.com. Questions about the proposed redevelopment project, which would need to conform with the proposed zoning, should be directed to Andrew DeFranza of Harborlight Homes at Andrew DeFranza adefranza@harborlighthomes.org. A page with details of proposed project is available here.

Timeline:

Past:

  • The project representatives, Harborlight Homes and Lifebridge, held community meetings to discuss the project concept and hear feedback. A recording of the meeting held on July 6, 2023, is available via SATV here. A recording of the meeting held on November 15, 2023, is available here.

  • On August 1, 2024, the City of Salem hosted a Public Hearing. The purpose of the hearing was to share information about 40R/Smart Growth Overlay Districts and to collect public comment on the Preliminary Application to the state, which includes the text of the draft zoning ordinance and outlines how the City believes the proposed district complies with the requirements of MGL Ch. 40R. SATV’s recording of the Public Hearing is available here. The slides presented that evening are available here. Public comment was collected at the hearing and was collected through end of day on Friday, September 6, 2024.

  • The project representatives, Harborlight Homes and Lifebridge, held a Question & Answer session about the project at Immaculate Conception Church at 15 Hawthorn Boulevard on Thursday, September 5, from 6-8pm. Flyer for the event, including portal to submit questions, is here. At the meeting, the teams indicated they would share answers to received project and programmatic questions - please consult this page periodically for updates.

  • The City reviewed and analyzed all received public comments.

  • Council of the Whole invited the proposed project developers, Harborlight Homes and Lifebridge, to attend the body’s March 10, 2025, meeting to provide an update on the project. See City Council calendar (revised link is here) for more information.

Current:

  • The City submitted the revised Preliminary Application to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities on Monday, March 31, 2025. The state has 90 days to respond with a determination of eligibility. Under this timeline, the City anticipates an eligibility determination by June 30, 2025.

Next steps:

  • EOHLC will review the preliminary application and provide a letter to the City stating whether the district is eligible, conditionally eligible, or not eligible to be a Smart Growth Overlay district. If it is eligible or conditionally eligible, the City will submit the proposed zoning ordinance to the City Council.

  • Then, the City Council will schedule a joint public hearing with the Planning Board, where public comment can be offered.

  • After the joint public hearing is closed, the City Council will refer the ordinance to the Planning Board for a recommendation.

  • After the Planning Board provides a recommendation, the City Council will vote on the ordinance at a regular City Council meeting. If it receives a majority of votes, it will need to receive a second majority vote at a second regular City Council meeting. Both City Council meetings will provide additional opportunities for public comment.

  • Should the ordinance receive second passage by the City Council, the City would request final approval from EOHLC. A more detailed explanation of the process can be viewed at:  https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40r

Last updated 3/31/2025.

 

Resources

Housing Strategies