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ZBA grants special permit for two multifamily dwellings at Emerald Street with sidewalk, fence and tree conditions
Summary
The board approved a special permit for a two‑building multifamily proposal at 0 Emerald Street, requiring full sidewalk replacement, coordination over a chain‑link fence and a landscaping/tree plan; applicant must coordinate parking markings with the city public safety/DPW.
The Gardner Zoning Board on June 17 granted a special permit for construction of two multifamily dwellings at 0 Emerald Street, subject to conditions including replacing curb and sidewalk across the property frontage to city specifications, coordinating removal or replacement of an existing chain‑link fence with the city, and working with the public safety committee/DPW about potential street parking markings.
Ryan Proctor of Dills & Roy, civil design group, told the board his revised plan consolidates driveways at the street to preserve four on‑street parking spaces, adds decks and patios, reconfigures drainage to respond to city engineer comments, and adds a landscape buffer along Tiffany Boulevard down‑gradient of the stormwater system. Proctor said the site has been presented to the planning board and that the applicants will return to that board for outstanding site‑plan comments.
Why it matters: the project alters street frontage and could affect street parking and public safety at a nearby intersection. The board required the applicant to coordinate curb/sidewalk replacement and any street‑parking striping with the city; the applicant indicated it would pay to stripe in front of its property if the city requests it.
Board members pressed the applicant on preservation of trees and a front‑yard chain‑link fence. The applicant agreed to remove the existing chain‑link fence as part of the project, to work with neighbors to address two large trees that overhang an abutter's yard and to include street trees and landscaping along the frontage. The board also asked the applicant to work with the city's public safety committee or DPW about whether to stripe parking on Emerald Street to preserve sight lines and accommodate emergency vehicles.
Motion and outcome: a board member moved to grant the special permit with conditions requiring (1) full replacement of curb and sidewalk along the property frontage to meet handicap and city specifications, (2) coordination with the city regarding the chain‑link fence removal or replacement, (3) coordination with the public safety committee/DPW on possible marking/lining of street parking and (4) removal at applicant expense of any trees that are found to be dangerous or overhanging abutters' properties. The motion was seconded and passed with no recorded opposition.
Next steps: the applicant will coordinate final drainage and site‑plan details with the planning board and DPW; DPW approvals and any public safety decision on parking striping will be handled outside this ZBA approval.
