Abington Planning Board Approves 200 Whale Street Permits After Months of Engineering Review

ABINGTON -- April 6, 2026, Abington Planning Board approves first ADU under new state law, clears eight-unit Whale Street project, and resolves 20-year subdivision standoff. The board unanimously approved a limited site plan review for a 900-square-foot attached accessory dwelling unit at 65 Block Street, its first action under the state's new by-right ADU law, with engineer Kevin Grady of Grady Consulting presenting for applicant Nicole White. The board then granted four special permits and site plan approval for the redevelopment of the rear of 200 Whale Street, a project filed in November 2025 by applicant Steven Zabowski and represented by attorney Sean Reilly, authorizing a two-unit duplex and an eight-unit, one-bedroom building on Jefferson and Railroad Streets, both requiring special permits for 100 percent residential use in the Central Business District and lot coverage of 65.7 percent. An initial 3-to-1 vote on one of the special permits failed because the four-member board required unanimity; the board reconsidered and approved unanimously, with member Rick Collins noting reservations. Neighbors from Jefferson Street raised persistent concerns about groundwater flooding, and conditions of approval require the town engineer to witness tank removal and drainage installation on site. The board also voted 3-to-1 to release a surety bond held for the Gordon's Circle subdivision road for nearly 20 years, following Town Counsel's January 12 written opinion that the funds must be returned to developer O'Leary, overriding a contrary Select Board preference, and unanimously recommended that town meeting not accept Gordon's Circle as a public road due to deteriorated conditions.