Representatives from A.D. Makepeace appeared before the Zoning Board of Appeals on May 25 for a public hearing on Rosebrook Place, which will be located off of Route 28 near the Interstate 195 intersection.

The company is seeking special permission from the Board to not comply with certain zoning bylaws when moving forward with construction of the mixed-use retail center.

One of the requested variances concerns the location and spacing of trees at the development. Makepeace representatives explained that the company would like to maintain the vegetation that is currently on the site, but the natural vegetation would not comply with the town’s regulations.

“The [variances] are low impact,” Town Planner John Charbonneau said. “They are very minor things. They are variances that will benefit the development and the town.”

Rosebrook Place, the second phase of the Rosebrook Business Park project, is estimated to create 171 permanent jobs and bring in roughly $300,500 in annual tax revenue. The development is proposed to include a hotel, pharmacy, bank, and a locally- or regionally-based restaurant in addition to retail space.

The first phase of the project was the construction of a 68,000-square-foot medical building, to be occupied largely by Southcoast Health System.

The hearing was continued to June 6 in order for the Zoning Board of Appeals to get input from the town's Conservation Commission.