165 Summit Avenue project draws concerns over density, parking and scale

An application to add three two-family homes to a site that already contains a four-family building at 165 Summit Avenue returned to the planning board’s work session, drawing repeated concerns from commissioners about density, parking and neighborhood fit.

Planning staff said the applicant added two parking spaces to each proposed two-family lot but otherwise kept the project unchanged from the prior submission. "The project is otherwise the same. They're sticking with their existing stance that the property is as of right," a staff member said. Several commissioners said that "as of right" does not require the planning board to accept a proposal the board believes would be incompatible with neighborhood bulk, scale or circulation.

City counsel advised that the planning board has authority under state law and city code to consider density as part of subdivision review. Counsel read from the packeted statutory language: "[T]he planning board shall take into consideration the prospective character of the development ... whether dense residence, open residence ..." Counsel added that the board must balance density with traffic, pedestrian circulation, drainage and other factors.

Neighbors have expressed concern about the development’s size and potential impact on parking and infrastructure; a commissioner said nearby residents appeared "somewhat open" to smaller-scale development but remained concerned by the proposed unit and room counts. The fire department provided a late comment, telling staff that if any of the proposed houses are three stories or taller they would require interior sprinkler systems.

No final action was taken at the work session; staff and the applicant will present at the planning board meeting, and commissioners indicated they will consider whether the proposal fits the neighborhood under the planning board’s purview.