The Beverly Planning Board continued the public hearing on an open-space residential design (OSRD) site plan for 184 and 186 Hart Street to July 15 after a presentation by the applicant’s engineer on project layout, stormwater controls and pedestrian improvements.

Robert Griffin of Griffin Engineering explained the application on behalf of CS Hart LLC principal Ryan Carvallo. Griffin said the project covers about 11 acres and proposes renovation of 186 Hart Street, demolition of 184 Hart Street, and construction of six new single-family residences served by a common driveway and divided into lots in zones R15 and R45. The notice on file with the Planning Department identifies the project as OSRD site plan number 12-24 (assessor’s map 74, Lot 1).

Griffin described site features that affected layout: two ponds (one identified as a potential vernal pool), wetlands and a flat northern area. He said soil test pits showed medium-to-coarse sand and that the stormwater approach relies mainly on infiltration, with a water-quality device and an infiltration bed that has an overflow activated only in very large storms. To meet runoff control goals, the plan includes an 18-inch berm designed to slow runoff toward the open-space parcel and sized to avoid backing up neighboring yards.

The project would place some house footprints and minor hardscape in buffer zones where permissible and seek limited relief where work approached vernal-pool buffer lines. Fire protection measures discussed included a hydrant near the common driveway and sprinklering as a design consideration for access. Griffin said the fire department reviewed the plan and “finds this satisfactory.”

Pedestrian improvements are part of the submission: a sidewalk on the east side of Hart Street with a 3-foot grass tree belt, granite curb and 4-foot concrete walk that leads to a marked crosswalk. Griffin said the Parking and Traffic Commission issued conditional support and requested final crosswalk location approval by the engineering department. The applicant said they would install fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian crossing signs and a ladder-style (bar) crosswalk; the precise sign color and final location remain subject to city engineering preference.

Several city departments are still reviewing the application. Staff noted that under MGL c.41 §81T the review period triggers departmental review timelines: the application was complete on June 24 and departments have 45 days (to Aug. 8) to return comments; the engineering department indicated it expects to deliver comments by July 9. The board closed the public comment portion (no public speakers) and voted to continue the hearing to July 15 to allow pending department input.

No approvals were granted on July 2; the continuation preserves the board’s ability to act after receiving department reports and any required review comments.