Image courtesy of SGA

Somerville officials have backed a developer’s plans for a life science development wedged between the MBTA Green Line Extension and McGrath Highway.

The Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals approved four variances for the project, according to a decision filed this week with the city clerk’s office.

In September, Leggat McCall Properties and DJL Real Estate Partners proposed the project as their second life science project in East Somerville, a 9-story, 384,331-square-foot lab building at 15 McGrath Highway. The development would replace a 2-story strip mall and surface parking that includes a location of the popular Sav-Mor liquor store chain.

Board members ruled that the development qualified for a hardship from zoning requirements, including front setbacks, because of the irregular shape of the parcel. Part of the property was taken by the former Metropolitan District Commission during reconstruction of McGrath Highway.

“To build to the primary front setbacks would result in a building type that is undesirable for a desired use in the district,” the board wrote in its decision.

An additional variance allows the upper story facades to extend above the ground floor to take into account an MBTA easement related to the Green Line Extension.

Developers bought the 1-acre property for $6 million in January 2020.

The development partnership also is building a 290,000-square-foot lab tower at 101 South St. in Boynton Yards anchored by biotech investor Flagship Pioneering.