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Developer to seek ZBA exception for Mill Street sidewalk that will affect wetland buffer
Summary
A developer presenting a Mill Street housing project told the Milford Conservation Commission the project proposes a concrete sidewalk along the property frontage that will impact about 730 square feet of wetland buffer; the applicant plans to seek a ZBA special exception next week and then planning-board approval.
Sam Ingram of Verdean Land Services said Wednesday that he is presenting a proposed project for 30 Mill Street LLC that includes a realigned section of roadway and a new concrete sidewalk along the project's frontage. The sidewalk, he said, will encroach on the wetland buffer; he described the expected buffer impact as “not direct to the wetland itself” and said most of the wetland is already within the roadway.
The sidewalk would be constructed of concrete and, according to Ingram, would be maintained by the town. “We're here to present the project tonight, ahead of the CBA hearing that we have next week that we are pursuing a wetland buffer impact, a moderate wetland buffer impact for the sidewalk the proposed sidewalk that we're proposing for this project,” Ingram said. He added the team plans to seek a special-exception approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment and then planning-board approval.
Commission members asked technical questions about the footprint and maintenance. Commissioner Anita (Conservation Commission member) asked, “I'm seeing the buffer impact is 730 square feet. Is that about right?” Ingram confirmed the figure. Commissioners also asked whether sidewalks there are salted or sanded in winter; Ingram said he did not know whether the town salts sidewalks in that area.
The applicant provided a site plan showing the proposed realignment of a curve on Mill Street to improve travel lanes and the new sidewalk location. Ingram said the sidewalk is intended to improve pedestrian access along that section of roadway and that easements would be provided for construction and maintenance. He told the commission the project team will take any comments from the commission, then file for the ZBA special exception the following week.
No formal action or vote was taken by the commission at this meeting. A commission member said staff would prepare language or comments for the packet to be circulated before the ZBA application, and the applicant said it would incorporate any feedback before the next hearings.
Background: the developer previously brought zoning-variance materials to the town when seeking relief for the project's proposed number of housing units; the sidewalk and wetland-buffer impact are being presented now as part of the permitting sequence. Planning-board review and ZBA special-exception approval are the next steps listed by the applicant.
