Zoning board continues hearing on 339 Chestnut Street 40B proposal; parties to refine walkway, trash and lighting details

The Needham Zoning Board of Appeals continued a public hearing on a comprehensive permit (Chapter 40B) application for a six‑unit rental building at 339 Chestnut Street, filing materials and revised site plans to be incorporated into a draft decision to be posted for review.

Applicant Needham Enterprise LLC presented revised plans and said the project would create six rental units (one one‑bedroom and five two‑bedroom units), provide two affordable units and eight parking spaces, and involve demolition of an existing two‑story building in the Chestnut Street business district. The applicant supplied a revised site plan (dated May 12) that added a striped pedestrian walkway from the sidewalk into the site, bollards to protect entry columns, and relocated and screened the trash enclosure. Engineering submitted drainage calculations and the town engineering office has reviewed those revisions.

Board members and the applicant discussed three main outstanding items: pedestrian separation at the front edge of Parking Space 8, screening and gate details for the trash enclosure, and lighting for the walkway and accessible parking/loading area. The applicant said the driveway entry will be narrowed compared with the existing condition and pointed to existing town light poles that already provide illumination at the corner. The board suggested adding a modest on‑site berm or other low-profile physical delineation (a "Cape Cod berm") between the parking space and the sidewalk to reduce the chance a vehicle encroaches on the walking surface; the applicant agreed to study options but noted some changes in building placement could affect mature off‑site trees and other constraints. The applicant also agreed to consider a different fence/gate material around the relocated trash enclosure so screening and security align with the board's concerns.

Architect Scott Melsing described the lighting scheme: recessed downlights under the canopy, low step lights to illuminate the accessible loading/accessible route without shining directly into adjacent bedroom windows, and downlights near the trash enclosure; all fixtures would be dark‑sky compliant, down‑directed and shielded. The board asked the applicant to confirm final light levels and the fit with town standards.

The applicant and town staff also confirmed a private hauler will service refuse and recycling containers; the applicant proposed routine removal of on‑site snow for accumulations greater than 3 inches. The board concluded there are no unresolved major objections but asked the applicant to post a revised draft decision that incorporates the May 12 plan and the discussed conditions. The hearing was continued with no additional public comment accepted until the next session on June 12, when the board will consider the final decision and vote.