Committee to draft letter asking building department for stronger fencing, activity limits at 43 Union Street

Committee members agreed to draft and send a letter to the building department asking for strict on-site restrictions at 43 Union Street after the Zoning Board of Appeals granted limited approvals for work on the property.

The committee said the Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision allows certain exterior work but includes conditions intended to limit impact on nearby trees and the sidewalk. Committee members said they want the building department to require a permanent, substantial construction fence — not the short plastic “silt” or salt fence typically used — and to restrict storage and staging of materials on the site.

The matter came up during the meeting’s old-business discussion of 43 Union Street. Committee members described the demolition and roof work as likely to generate large debris and said the property owner will need clear, enforceable controls on construction staging to avoid damage to street trees and to the sidewalk. Members noted the zoning board’s finding referenced the committee’s earlier letter but that building-department approval is the next step.

Committee members described specific limits they want included: a construction fence along the sidewalk, no storage of materials on the site, that contractors carry demolition refuse out by hand or otherwise prevent encroachment, and a prohibition on heavy driveway or parking-area work that would place machinery or dumpsters too close to trees. One member noted the zoning body allowed a change that shifts an entry/steps toward the front of the house, and members said that maneuver increases concern about proximity to trees.

Emily (committee member) said she would review the zoning-board hearing she missed and prepare suggested language for the letter. “I’ll just watch that hearing that I missed a couple of weeks ago, and then, maybe I can sort of drop something by Friday and send it to Charlie to review with you guys,” Emily said.

Members agreed the committee’s next step is to finalize language and file the letter with the building department; Charlie will review the draft before filing. No formal vote on the letter was taken during the meeting.