Applicant advised to file definitive subdivision to upgrade paper street for new house on private way

The Charlton Planning Board discussed a request by applicant Chris Hansen for guidance on upgrading a paper street (private way) to create frontage and access for a buildable lot. The board advised Hansen to file a definitive subdivision application under the statute covering pre‑existing plan streets and to list any waivers his engineer will request.

Hansen said the paper street (labeled on plans and described at the hearing) is unbuilt and wooded and that he intends to create a gravel way to serve a two‑bedroom house on a roughly 10,000‑square‑foot lot. He told the board the proposed gravel drive would be between about 75 and 125 feet long to the new driveway and that he is working with the Board of Health and has secured variances for septic reserve trenches. He said he will consult the fire chief about any turnout or turnaround requirements and will have his engineer prepare a stamped plan with particular waivers identified.

Board counsel and an outside attorney in the meeting explained the process for paper streets that appear on older plans. The board’s legal counsel advised the applicant that a definitive subdivision application is the standard path even when the way is ‘grandfathered’ by a pre‑existing plan; the applicant may request waivers for dimensional standards (width, dead‑end length, turning radius) but must demonstrate safe access, stormwater controls and utility access. The attorney said the statutory protection for paper streets means the applicant “is not required to meet those requirements [that derive from later subdivision rules]” when the way predates subdivision control law, but the board will still seek safe‑access assurances.

The board noted that precedent in the neighborhood includes long‑standing private gravel ways created decades ago; the planning board’s determination on waivers typically depends on whether the proposed improvements provide safe, maintainable access. Planning staff asked Hansen to compile a waiver list with his application and to include plans showing gravel specifications and any stormwater measures, and recommended he engage the fire department early to identify emergency‑vehicle turning or surface requirements. Hansen indicated he would file the definitive subdivision application and pay the required fees.

No formal vote was taken; the board provided procedural guidance and asked for a full application package with identified waivers and stamped engineering plans before returning to the board.