Breeze Apartments plans large retaining wall, loses several trees; zoning variance for loading approved

Developers for the Breeze Apartments at 121—125 Lake Street presented site revisions including a tall concrete retaining wall where bedrock conditions proved inconsistent, a reworked grading plan to smooth a roughly 30-foot change in elevation, and a previously granted zoning variance that reduced loading zones from four to two.

Eric (last name not specified) and Julia, representing the project team, described three cross-sections of the site. The team said the tallest retaining wall would be about 13 feet of exposed concrete in the worst-case section. In other parts of the parcel where bedrock is competent, the design retains exposed bedrock faces; at the north end the team plans to smooth steep banks to a graded slope that can support meadow plantings. Eric said the top of the property near the bank is roughly elevation 565 and the finished floor is about 535, which yields the approximate 30-foot grade change.

The team said they previously had five trees behind the parking area but that close constraints and bedrock make planting new tree pits impractical. Eric said the new scheme adds low plantings near a relocated transformer and "we don't see a great opportunity to relocate" the trees removed. Board members urged the team to show possible tree plantings on the new slope where feasible to mitigate the loss.

The committee confirmed the project obtained a loading variance from the zoning board, reducing required loading from four spaces to two. Eric said the front loading zone was intended for short stops such as food or grocery drop-offs and ride-share pick-ups; the team expects most activity to be small vehicles rather than large trucks. Board members flagged potential safety and pedestrian concerns at the front entry adjacent to the loading zone and asked the team to show options at the full-board hearing, including curb or raised elements to reduce conflicts.

Members praised the exposed bedrock treatment. Max Pfeffer called the exposed bedrock "attractive" and likened it to DOT-style cut faces, while Eric said current analysis shows the bedrock is structurally competent and not prone to large pieces falling off. The team said a small amount of loose material at the base would be manageable and would not present vehicle damage risk.

Committee members asked the applicants to supply an east-side elevation showing wall heights next to the building, to enlarge the wall sections for the board packet, and to explore possible tree plantings that could grow on slopes to replace the five lost trees. Nikki Serra and Sam Quinn Jacobs reiterated concerns about the reduced number of loading spaces and recommended clearer marking and policing of the loading zone so pedestrians and deliveries are not impeded.

No formal action was taken; the applicants said they will provide the requested elevations, sections and planting options to the full board for action in a few weeks.