Planning board continues hearing on 36‑unit ‘Villages’ project after members cite parking, road width and snow‑storage concerns

GF Properties presented a revised application for the proposed Villages multi‑family development at 35 North Main Street, reducing the unit count from 40 to 36, reorganizing building blocks, and increasing counted parking to 102 spaces. The Planning Board heard the revisions and continued the public hearing to Sept. 17 to allow the applicant time to supply outstanding materials and to respond to board concerns.

Attorney Joe Duquette and engineer James (last name not in transcript) described changes made in response to prior board comments: they consolidated building blocks, widened private roads to 21–22 feet for two‑way traffic where feasible, relocated a sanitary force main to avoid running under the public sidewalk, and added overflow or “satellite” parking pockets (the plans show 15 satellite spaces on Drive A and eight on Olga Lane). Duquette said the revised submission includes 36 units: 26 accessed from North Main Street and 10 off L. Stevens Road, and that 102 parking spaces are now shown, counting one garage space and at least one driveway space per unit plus the satellite spots.

Board members and several attendees pressed the applicant on parking adequacy, enforcement and handling of seasonal snow. Concerns included: many units rely on a single garage plus tandem driveway parking (which some residents may not reliably use as two distinct spaces), the burden on private enforcement to keep streets clear for emergency access, and whether the satellite/overflow spaces would be commandeered by long‑term resident parking rather than saved for guests. Several board members said that, given local transportation conditions and heavy car dependency, the board would expect a larger number of guest spaces or fewer units for safety and operational reasons.

The applicant said the garage interiors meet typical dimensions (approximately 23 feet deep inside the unit in some blocks) and that some end units have wider driveways capable of holding two vehicles. Duquette said the plan was reduced in density in response to board feedback and that other outstanding deliverables — traffic report, landscaping plans, lighting plans and final peer review responses — would be submitted for staff and peer review. He indicated the team is seeking sewer and water approvals and that the project’s phasing, stormwater, and snow‑storage are being reworked to minimize impacts on adjacent wetlands. The board requested the project provide clearer visitor‑parking designations, a management/enforcement plan for parking and trash collection, and evidence of sewer capacity from the town’s sewer authority before further action.

Members also asked for peer reviewer Michael Andretti (or his firm) to be available at the next meeting and suggested planning board counsel attend if the project’s conditions become legally complex. Public commenters, including nearby residents, raised concerns about traffic, parking on adjacent roads during events, and the overall density relative to available on‑site parking and road widths.

After discussion the board voted unanimously to continue the public hearing on the Villages at 35 North Main Street to Sept. 17 to allow submission of the missing plans and for staff and peer review to complete their comments.