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Developer seeks access easement and conservation swap to serve housing site behind the Restore
Summary
Frank MacLean told the Planning Board he is pursuing a right-of-way across adjacent land and a conservation-easement swap to build a town‑spec emergency access road for a proposed housing project; the project is at an early, conceptual stage and requires select board and legal approvals.
Frank MacLean told the Plymouth Planning Board on June 19, 2025, he is seeking a right‑of‑way across neighboring property and a conservation‑easement swap so he can build an access road to a parcel behind the Restore and meet emergency‑access rules related to Tenney Mountain.
MacLean presented the plan as a conceptual consultation rather than a formal application, saying he and his team have been discussing the project for about two years and have met with the town’s fire and police departments. “Any kind of development outside of, like, a thousand feet from Tenney Mountain requires an additional access point,” MacLean said, describing the proposed road as about 1,200 feet long and built to town specifications: a 24‑foot travel lane, 2‑foot shoulders and 6‑inch curbing, with sidewalks possible on the southern side.
The road would cross land owned by the nearby commercial property often referred to as Spears; MacLean said “Spear is on board with this” and that his team has discussed alignment and impacts with the site engineer, Horizons. He told the board the actual area of conservation easement that would be impacted is small — “less than 1 acre” on the conceptual plan — and that his group intends to transfer an equivalent amount and quality of conservation land elsewhere, holding open about 15 acres as candidates for the swap depending on partners and funding.
Why it matters: the town’s emergency‑access rules tied to Tenney Mountain limit development that lacks a second access, and carving a new right‑of‑way across conservation land requires review by the select board and consultation with the state’s attorney, as MacLean and staff noted. The access and any roadwork could change traffic patterns near Boulder Point and the Spears parking area; board members repeatedly asked about traffic mitigation and long‑term maintenance costs for a new road.
What the board heard and directed: Planning staff and board members treated MacLean’s presentation as informational. Joseph (planning staff) confirmed the select board will need to review any easement and the conservation committee has recommended the swap in principle; MacLean said he has a letter of support from the conservation committee. The board expressed general support for further study but asked for more detailed maps and engineering documents before formal review. Joseph said he would pass a recap to the select board and the developer agreed to provide materials in advance of a future meeting.
Funding and partners: MacLean said the project is being designed with multiple funding and partnership models in mind, including nonprofit partners (he identified part of the parcel as owned by Habitat for Humanity, lot 21229) and potential grant sources such as community development funds; he said he discussed the project with Scott Wheaton and other town staff. He also noted the fire department has asked that access be provided in order for him to proceed with greater investment in the site.
No formal action was taken at the June 19 meeting; the presentation was recorded as a conceptual consultation and the board asked MacLean to provide maps and supporting documentation for follow‑up review by the select board and planning staff.
