Bedford Planning Board approves two‑lot subdivision at Hamilton Way with driveway, blasting conditions

BEDFORD — The Bedford Planning Board on March 10 approved a lot‑line adjustment and subdivision that will split Lot 27‑17‑1 into two residential lots at 7 Hamilton Way and 57 Nashua Road, contingent on a set of conditions including no blasting and fire‑department approval of an alternate driveway alignment.

The board granted waivers requested by the applicants to allow use of an existing/shared driveway and approved the subdivision after hearing engineering, town‑engineer and neighbor testimony over traffic sight distance, winter snowbanks and potential ledge removal. The approval incorporated conditions listed in the staff report dated March 10 and three specific conditions discussed at the meeting: the driveway must be located as shown on the alternate driveway plan (last revised 03/05/2025), any ledge removal is to be performed by hammering (no blasting), and the alternate driveway design must be approved by the Bedford Fire Department.

The matter mattered because of safety and property‑impact questions: engineers and board members focused on whether an alternate curb cut would provide adequate sight distance along Hamilton Way in winter conditions when plowed snowbanks reduce driver visibility. Neighbors also raised concerns about a large boulder in the public right‑of‑way and the risk of blasting if ledge removal were needed.

Philip Hastings, attorney for the applicants, said the plan is a two‑lot subdivision on an oversized parcel configured to avoid wetlands and other sensitive areas. Thomas (Tom) Burns, senior project…