Commission issues standard order of conditions for Franco American Holdings’ 80‑unit project at 357 Pawtucket Street

At the Lowell Conservation Commission meeting on March 12, the commission voted to close the public hearing and to issue a standard order of conditions for a notice of intent filed by Franco American Holdings LLC to construct an 80‑unit mixed‑use building at 357 Pawtucket Street (MassDEP file number 2060842). David Jordan, engineer and land surveyor with Greenman Peterson, presented the revised plans and described the stormwater and buffer mitigation proposals.

Jordan told the commission the original submittal did not show buffer zones; revised plans submitted to staff showed the 25‑, 50‑ and 100‑foot buffer bands measured from the bank of the Northern Canal, which is defined by the canal wall. He said the proposed building and most new pavement are entirely outside the 100‑foot buffer zone; work within the buffer is limited to temporary drainage work to tie new on‑site stormwater systems to an existing manhole and pipe that discharges through the canal wall. Jordan described two large underground infiltration systems sized to infiltrate most runoff on site, with emergency overflow provisions that use existing infrastructure.

Commission members asked questions about erosion controls and tree impacts; Jordan said erosion controls and silt fence are shown on the revised plans and that no tree cutting is associated with the proposed temporary drainage work. A commissioner praised the project for keeping parking on site and for its apparent protection of the canal buffer.

After brief discussion the commission closed the public hearing, moved to issue a standard order of conditions, and approved the motion. The motions to close the hearing and to issue the standard order of conditions were both seconded and recorded as approved by voice vote. The applicant was advised to follow final conditions and to coordinate required city construction permits for trenching and utility work.