Planning Board approves three‑lot subdivision at 1036 Ash Street with DPW safety review after traffic, visibility concerns

The Brockton Planning Board on Sept. 3 approved a three‑lot subdivision at 1036 Ash Street, voting to require the applicant to meet with the city Department of Public Works to develop an agreed safety plan for the Ash Street/West Chestnut intersection before final sign‑off.

The applicant, represented by engineer Azu (ET Engineering) and developer Steve Torrey, described a conventional three‑lot subdivision using the existing foundation footprint and proposed to widen the private access road from roughly 12 feet to 24 feet, install a new six‑inch water main and add two fire hydrants. Torrey said the cost of the road and utility improvements exceeded $800,000.

Why the meeting mattered: the proposed new houses would access a narrow existing private way that connects to West Chestnut Street at an intersection board members and several commenters described as hazardous because of sight‑line limitations and traffic speeds. The board attached a condition that the applicant meet with DPW and carry out safety improvements the DPW requires at the applicant’s expense.

Applicant presentation and public concern: Azu said each new lot would exceed 30,000 square feet and meet required setbacks and that the project would be subject to a frontage‑variance request before the Board of Appeals because the lots fall short of a 175‑foot frontage requirement. The developer said the proposed road improvements would create adequate queuing and emergency access: “The total cost of that is in excess of $800,000, not for building the houses, not for anything else, but just the cost to improve that as much as I think that it reasonably can be done,” Steve Torrey said at the meeting.

Planning and public‑safety discussion focused on visibility and pedestrian safety at the intersection. Board member James Sweeney and Deputy Chief Weeks asked about visibility, sidewalk and curbing options and whether the city’s DPW would allow sidewalk installation in the right of way. The applicant said the road will be widened to the maximum allowed by the existing right of way, existing stone walls will define the new edges, trees above roughly 3.5 feet above pavement would be trimmed, and the developer voluntarily proposed hydrants and a 6‑inch main to serve the street.

Waivers and conditions: the board considered a series of subdivision waivers (frontage, street plan/profile, utility plan/profile and others). The board approved the subdivision and several waivers as requested, denied the request to waive street lighting, and approved a stipulation that the DPW review and approve corner safety improvements at the applicant’s expense. The board also confirmed owners would be responsible for maintenance of the private roadway and utilities unless and until the city accepted the street.

Formal action: a motion to approve the subdivision with the condition that the developer meet with DPW on an agreed safety plan for the intersection passed on a roll call with all participating members recorded as voting yes. The board then took separate votes on waivers; some waivers were approved, street lighting was denied, and the applicant agreed to provide surety and post a covenant after the appeal period.

Next steps: the applicant must pursue a frontage variance from the Board of Appeals, secure DPW agreement on intersection improvements and provide required surety and covenants before final subdivision endorsement.