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EAC recommends negative declaration for credit union headquarters use variance on Chris Field lot
Summary
The EAC recommended a negative declaration for a proposed credit union headquarters to be located on a 0.19-acre Chris Field parcel; the proposal is a back-office headquarters with no public access and 4–5 employees, and will require a use variance from the zoning board.
The Bay North Environmental Advisory Committee on Jan. 29 recommended a negative declaration for a requested use variance to permit a credit union headquarters on a 0.19-acre lot on Chris Field.
Project description and neighborhood impact: applicant representatives said the proposal is for a headquarters/back-office with no public customers on-site and an expected staff of four to five people. They described the proposed building as being designed with residential aesthetics to match the neighborhood and said if the use variance were later abandoned the lot would revert to residential use under existing zoning.
Site details and regulatory points: the lot is approximately 8,208 square feet (0.19 acres). The applicants said the building would be slab-on-grade, pre-engineered metal behind a residential façade, and would incorporate accessible parking, a ramp and an accessible bathroom. They said interior spaces would mirror residential layouts (for example, a bedroom repurposed as an office) to meet residential setbacks and neighborhood design standards.
Stormwater and utilities: committee members asked whether the site would be treated as a commercial stormwater site and whether there is a tie-in available on Chris Field; staff said site plan review by the planning board will address plantings, screening, stormwater and any other site requirements after the zoning decision.
The vote: after discussion the EAC moved and seconded a recommendation of a negative declaration (short form) for environmental review; the motion passed on a voice vote with ayes recorded.
Next steps: the applicant will pursue a use variance before the zoning board; if the variance is granted the planning board will review site plan details, screening and stormwater controls before any building permits are issued.
