Board reluctantly OKs Pulte's 40B condo project

TL;DR

Plymouth's Zoning Board of Appeals approved Pulte Homes' 163-unit condominium complex under the 40B affordable housing law.
The project includes a six-story, 63-unit building and two others with 100 units total, with 25% deed-restricted as affordable.
Approval came reluctantly despite local opposition, as the board could find no legal grounds for denial.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/14/plymouth-planning-board-approves-40b-housing-plan.html)

The story at a glance

Plymouth's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a 163-unit condo project by Pulte Homes after months of hearings and neighbor protests. The development sits in North Plymouth near Cordage Park, with sites at 24 Sandri Drive, 39 Hedge Road, and nearby lots. Board chair Michael Main voiced strong disappointment but said no denial reasons met state standards. This follows state 40B law, which limits local control when towns fall short of 10% affordable housing.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/14/plymouth-planning-board-approves-40b-housing-plan.html)

Key points

Five board members reviewed cases 4183 and 4184, filed by Pulte Group under Chapter 40B for comprehensive permits.[[2]](https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01052026-3203)
One part: 63 condo units in a six-story building on 2.7 acres at 24 Sandri Drive, in light industrial and waterfront zones.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/14/plymouth-planning-board-approves-40b-housing-plan.html)
Other part: 100 units in two garden-style buildings (50 each) on 6.7 acres at 39 Hedge Road and 333 Court Street, in multi-family residential zone.[[2]](https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01052026-3203)
25% of units (about 41) deed-restricted as affordable for households at or below 80% of area median income.[[2]](https://www.plymouth-ma.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_01052026-3203)
Hearings continued from September 2025 through April 2026, with strong resident opposition over traffic, water, sewer, and density.[[3]](https://www.plymouthindependent.org/neighbors-protests-fail-to-stop-pulte-condo-project)
Vote reportedly 4-1; board sought denial grounds but approved due to 40B constraints.[[4]](https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/alternate/amp/newly-approved-condo-project-in-plymouth-faces-backlash-from-some-residents)

Details and context

The project faced delays and scrutiny at multiple hearings, with agendas listing sites along Hedge Road, Prince Street, and Sandri Drive near the rail trail. Neighbors and groups like Community Land and Water Coalition raised issues on infrastructure strain and overdevelopment in a quiet area.[[5]](https://communitylandandwater.org/plymouth-north-plymouth-pulte-homes-project)

Massachusetts Chapter 40B lets developers override local zoning if 20-25% of units are affordable and the town has under 10% such housing; Plymouth reports around 4.88-6.82% currently. This "unfriendly" 40B proceeded without town inducements, unlike some "friendly" ones with added benefits.[[6]](https://oldcolonyplanning.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Plymouth-Housing-Production-Plan-2024-2.23.pdf)

One site neighbors a former Superfund area, prompting safety questions, though Pulte addressed them. The board's limited power under state law forced approval absent specific, provable harms.[[7]](https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/environment/2026/03/18/plymouth-ma-40b-condos-next-to-superfund-site-arsenic/89197897007)

Key quotes

"I'm so damn disappointed that we have to have these kinds of things in our community." – Michael Main, ZBA chair.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/14/plymouth-planning-board-approves-40b-housing-plan.html)

Why it matters

State 40B law drives affordable housing but sparks local fights over density and services in growing towns like Plymouth. Developers gain permits more easily, adding about 41 affordable condos while changing North Plymouth's character for residents and taxpayers. Watch for appeals to the state Housing Appeals Committee, construction timelines, or Plymouth nearing the 10% threshold to regain zoning control.[[1]](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2026/04/14/plymouth-planning-board-approves-40b-housing-plan.html)