The Town of Concord Planning Board meeting on December 17, 2024, focused on a significant development proposal for the 30310 Baker Avenue property, owned by Taurus Investment Holders and CD 211 Properties. The meeting featured presentations from land planner Kevin and civil engineer Dan Feeney, who outlined plans for the site, which spans 65 acres and is zoned as an industrial park.

The proposal includes dividing the property into two lots: Lot A, which will retain the existing office building and undergo modifications to accommodate approximately 400,000 square feet of space, and Lot B, designated for 201 residential units approved under a 40B project in April 2024. Key aspects of the development involve the demolition of a portion of the office building to create 54 new parking spaces, as well as improvements to the site's traffic flow and accessibility.

A critical point of discussion was the request for parking relief. The developers seek a waiver for 182 parking spaces, as their application proposes 1,304 spaces, falling short of the 1,486 required by zoning bylaws. The developers argue that even with this shortfall, there will be sufficient parking available, citing a recent study that indicated a surplus of vacant spaces on the property.

Additionally, the project has received preliminary approval from the Natural Resources Commission for work within the floodplain, pending finalization of conditions at their next meeting in January. The Planning Board's recommendations will be forwarded to the Board of Appeals, which will ultimately decide on the parking relief and site plan review.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the ongoing development efforts in Concord, balancing industrial and residential needs while addressing community concerns about parking and environmental impact. The next steps will involve further discussions and approvals as the project progresses.