Planning board tables Willard Chapel parking expansion; staff seek more stormwater and fire‑apparatus details

The Auburn Planning Board voted to table a site plan application for the Willard Chapel parking lot expansion and associated walkways and lighting at 17 Nelson Street to the July meeting while city staff complete stormwater calculations and the fire department reviews turning radii.

Jonathan Karnes, the project architect, told the board the redesign increases capacity on the south parking area from roughly 30 to about 45 spaces, adds a pedestrian walkway and a drive loop to improve circulation and provide a drop‑off in front of the building. He said the plan includes access for fire apparatus and a stormwater basin near the southeast corner.

City staff reported engineering is still calculating runoff numbers and that the fire department asked for additional detail on the interior turn radius the department’s apparatuses would use. Ashley (city staff) recommended tabling the item while staff complete those reviews.

Board members also discussed landscaping and the existing mature trees on adjacent properties. The applicant said grading would come within a few feet of the property line but that existing vegetation on the neighbor’s parcel would remain in place; the plan shows a minimum buffer with the possibility of additional planting during construction.

At the meeting staff noted city code requires a dustless surface for driveways and that a compacted gravel surface may not meet that standard. The planning board’s motion to table was made by Andy Tehan, seconded by Theresa Walsh, and carried by roll call (Andy Tehan, Theresa Walsh, Amy Sargent and Crystal Cosentino voting yes). The item will return for further review at the board’s July meeting.