Former St. Thomas More Church in Braintree: Developer talks about the next move

BRAINTREE − Developer George Clements said he will seek a zoning change for the St. Thomas More property so he can build a 48-unit condominium complex for people ages 55 and older.

Clements, who has an agreement with the Boston archdiocese to buy the land, said he plans to submit the application for the zoning change in the next couple of weeks.

"We are definitely moving forward, 100%," Clements said.

Under the proposal for "Hawthorn Preserve," the 16-acre property at Elm Street and Hawthorn Road would have 15 detached houses, 13 townhouses and 10 duplexes. All the two-bedroom units would have first-floor master bedroom suites. The development would also have a community building.

St. Thomas More Church, school would be razed

The church building, which closed a year ago, and the school would both be torn down. The archdiocese is keeping the rectory.

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Clements has proposed deeding about 6 acres of woodland on the property to the town "so it is no longer available for future development."

An alternative plan would build 26 five-bedroom homes on the property, with the woodlands included in the development.

Clements said it would be the town's first 55-plus community, which he feels is a more appropriate way to develop the property.

"We're creating more of a community," Clements said. "The residents will still have the sense of a single-family home without the responsibility of maintenance."

Braintree councilor supports plan, at least so far

The proposal first goes to the town council, which will refer the matter to the planning board for a review and recommendation before the council can make a decision. A two-thirds vote of the council is needed to approve a zoning change.

The development has the qualified support of District 2 Town Councilor Joseph Reynolds, who represents the area.

"The devil is always in the details," Reynolds said.

Among those details is road access to the development as well as changes to the intersection of Elm, Middle and Adams streets with Hawthorn Road. Drainage issues also need to be resolved, Reynolds said.

Some neighbors have opposed development on the property.

Who is this developer, George Clements?

Clements has invested in several developments in the town in recent years.

He redeveloped the former Cochato Club on Elm Street a few blocks away from the St. Thomas More property into townhouse condominiums. He bought the former First Baptist Church on Washington Street with an eye toward redevelopment before selling it to a Buddhist congregation. Last fall, he bought the Dunkin' Donuts University property on Granite Street.

He is perhaps best known for his efforts to develop the land at Liberty and Grove streets, which included a long-vacant gas station. After neighbors opposed proposals for residential developments and a gas station/convenience store, the town bought about half the property for open space and to preserve a historical home and allowed commercial development on the remaining land.

The commercial land is slated to become the site of a CVS Pharmacy. Clements also built a building for the Goddard School next door.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Developer wants zoning change for condos at St. Thomas More Church