SWAMPSCOTT — A vacant commercial property across from the MTBA commuter rail station could eventually become a mixed-use development with housing, affordable units, and commercial space, though members of the Affordable Housing Trust made clear Monday that any such project remains in its earliest stages.

Charlie Patsios, who recently purchased 25 Railroad Ave., appeared before the trust seeking support and input for preliminary planning work, saying he wanted to start discussions about what might be possible on the site. He was joined by developer Peter Soulheris, known for his role on the television show “Flipping Boston.”

While no formal plans have been submitted, Patsios said he was drawn to the property because of both its location and its character.

“The property had been on the market for quite some time and had never sold. It was in really rough shape, and I was concerned that the building might wind up being demolished,” he said. “I thought the building had character … and that if it was sound enough to be saved, I wanted to do that.”

Patsios said that he had also spoken with neighboring property owners and believed the area could support a larger redevelopment effort in the future.

Much of Monday’s conversation focused on what, exactly, could be built on the site and how a future project would move through the town’s permitting and zoning processes.

Director of Community and Economic Development Marzie Galazka noted that the property sits within an area where town officials are examining possible zoning changes. Trust members encouraged Patsios to stay in close contact with the Planning Board as those discussions continue and as any proposal becomes more defined.

Members also discussed two possible paths for future development. One would be through a locally adopted 40R district, which would establish zoning rules for higher-density housing before projects are proposed. The other would be through a Chapter 40B affordable housing development, which allows developers to seek a comprehensive permit that can provide relief from certain local zoning requirements.

Trust members did not endorse either approach, but cautioned that whichever path is pursued, it is likely to take time.

“You’re probably going to need a lawyer in order to go forward,” trust member Joan Honig said. “It’s not an easy statute.”

The meeting also included a broader conversation about affordability and who a future project might serve.

Trust member Ellie Zambrano said the property’s location near public transportation could make it attractive for workforce housing.

“In terms of affordability, I think there’s sort of a need in the North Shore area near public transportation, specifically around healthcare professionals,” Zambrano said. “That’s an opportunity for a town like Swampscott to think about both the impact it would have on our commercial economy and young professionals. Mid-level professionals are great for that.”

During the discussion, trust members noted that affordable housing can encompass a wide range of income levels, from traditional affordable units to workforce housing serving households earning around 100% of area median income or more.

Trust members suggested that workforce housing could be a particularly good fit for the site, arguing that residents who earn too much to qualify for many affordable housing programs can still struggle to find housing in communities like Swampscott.

“That’s actually really important. That’s workforce housing,” Chair Kim Martin-Epstein said. “That’s a really important, unfulfilled income housing gap right now.”

Trust members stressed that they were prepared to give advice, not to provide funding for a project that remains largely undefined. Honig stressed that the role of the trust was to promote, not fund, affordable housing in town.

“I want to make clear that our role is to discuss the affordability issues. That’s our primary role,” Honig said. “The primary role is not to provide the funding to the developer.”

Martin-Epstein also cautioned Patsios that while the trust would support the project as it moved through the town’s planning and permitting process, that the body itself doesn’t have the funding necessary to make meaningful financial contributions.

“I don’t want to get your hopes up,” she said. “Even if we gave what we thought was a lot … if we found we were able to give this project a $100,000 subsidy, that’s still a drop in the bucket for you … we’re not a heavily endowed trust.”

For now, trust members said the focus should be on developing a clearer proposal and continuing conversations with town boards before any discussion of funding moves forward.

“We’re not the decision-makers of what the town will allow you to build,” Martin-Epstein said. “But we will be there to support the discussion for sure.”