Swampscott Neighborhood Residents Push Back On VFW Zoning Proposal

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Residents in the area of 89 Burrill Street on Monday night cited congestion, parking and worries about an alcohol-serving establishment in their neighborhood, echoing concerns about a proposed zoning change that would facilitate the move of the VFW to the former ReachArts building upon construction of the new Veterans Crossing development on Pine Street.

Town Administrator Nick Connors said the zoning change is designed to change what has been a non-conforming use of the residential property into a planned development district capable of housing clubs, lodges and other fraternal organizations.

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The Select Board had previously signed a land-use agreement for B'nai B'rith to construct 41 units of veteran-preference senior housing at the town-purchased Pine Street location. But the developers said that in order for that housing to be viable without violating preferred height restrictions in the neighborhood, the VFW currently on the property would have to be moved.

The often-contentiously-debated solution was to move the VFW to the vacated ReachArts building, with the town funding renovations required for accessibility and some food and beverage service.

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Residents who spoke on Monday night pushed back on the move — arguing that a residential neighborhood that already has an ambulance company, fire station, food pantry, and is in close proximity to the library and post office was a poor choice to locate a VFW hall and its required parking needs.

"I think it's very helpful to hear from the community," said Town Administrator Nick Connors on Monday. "For us to hear specific questions, and comments, and things that we can address. Our job is to execute on the decisions of town meeting and the Select Board. Right now, we are trying to ensure that it's an informed public. ...

"We actually believe that this is a step forward in the communication than it has gone in the past."

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Residents expressed concerns beyond the veterans' everyday use of the hall, but extended it to potential functions that might rent out the building and bring in more people than the typical population.

Town Meeting member Bill DiMento said he did not believe the zoning change was even necessary because the new VFW was an extension of an existing non-conforming use that goes back through current studio space renters, through the ReachArts, and to when the American Legion called the space home for about 50 years.

"I would love to see a better building, better location that does have the parking," he said. "All the parking complaints are very legitimate. But it's not different from the 50 years (the Legion was there). They did have cars 50 years ago.

"It is a real issue. But unless something falls out of the sky with a building in this town that is big enough to handle the 20 to 25 people, at the most, that are in that building at one time ... what's at risk here is that these 41 (housing) units that are really needed (on Pine Street). ... This is a wonderful opportunity that is funded. When you open up and consider that, is it going to be that bad?

"It wasn't bad for 50 years. And it was the same building. And fewer people."

A citizens' petition aimed at halting or forcing the redesign of the senior veterans-preference affordable housing project — which would necessitate the moving of the VFW post from its current location — narrowly failed following a three-hour debate and vote at a special town meeting in 2025.

The petition argued that the Select Board violated the spirit of the 2023 town meeting authorization for the original purchase of the property for $1.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding for senior, veterans-preference housing and a renovated VFW post by approving a plan that does not include the VFW on site.

The vote on March 19, 2025, was 114 to 104 against the citizens' petition rescinding the 2023 authorization.

Connors said the next step is to bring the report of the forum to the Select Board ahead of its Nov. 4 discussion and possible vote on a recommendation of the warrant article.

The next special town meeting with the zoning article is set for Dec. 7.