Lowell planning board continues 17‑lot subdivision after engineers request written reviews

The Lowell Planning Board on Nov. 3 moved the definitive subdivision application for 129 Lewellen Street and 115 Kristen Street to a public hearing on Dec. 1 after city engineering and stormwater review letters were not yet in the record.

Attorney David Plunkett, representing Kristen Hill Homes LLC, told the board that the applicant had "engaged the services of a geotechnical engineer" and submitted a pre‑ and post‑development stormwater runoff analysis following comments from city staff. Engineer Mark O'Hara said the applicant increased the depth of an infiltration trench on Christian Street from about 2 feet to 3 feet, which increased capacity by roughly 50 percent, and relocated some dry wells to the front of lots to keep runoff away from steeper slopes.

Plunkett and O'Hara also reported that the geotechnical consultant (Harry Weatherby) recommended revising fill slopes from a 2:1 ratio to 2.5:1; O'Hara said the plans were updated to reflect that change. The applicant said it also obtained an NPDES file number from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and submitted the Weatherby report to the city late the prior week.

Board members emphasized that the matter had been continued as a status hearing and that written signoffs or review letters were necessary before the board could move to a public hearing or take action. "We want, in writing, the response to engineering reviewing the stormwater calculation," Board member Fishet said, noting that an 84‑page package had been delivered to the board the morning of Nov. 3.

Curbing remained an unresolved technical issue: O'Hara said city staff, including Joe Cady and stormwater reviewer Gordon, had expressed a preference for vertical granite curb to avoid undermining soils where downhill runoff meets the curb; the applicant proposed bituminous curb in some locations but told the board it could discuss alternatives with staff.

Because the meeting that night was a status hearing and city engineering and stormwater had not yet provided written responses, the board voted to continue the matter to Dec. 1 for a public hearing. The board recorded no formal vote on the subdivision itself at the Nov. 3 session.

The board asked the applicant to provide written feedback from city engineering and stormwater and to be prepared to discuss the remaining curbing issue and the geotechnical conclusions at the Dec. 1 public hearing.