Honeycomb Ventures returned Nov. 6 with an updated site plan for a proposed 4,980‑square‑foot retail building on County Street and requested a special permit and site‑plan approval.

Planning staff circulated department comments that asked for clarifications on retaining wall elevations and structural requirements, water‑service permitting, ADA accessibility, light‑spill limitations and confirmation that the conservation commission’s Order of Conditions (file S C 733050) is still met. The office of economic development provided a supporting letter saying the site is desirable for retail near the transit/commuter district, but planning staff and board members said recent changes in the area — a new commuter rail station in operation, significant nearby residential construction and other commercial works — warrant an updated traffic review tailored to current conditions.

At the meeting the applicant said they had submitted plan revisions to address most technical items (22‑foot driveway width, revised setback to allow a larger buffer, relocation of accessible parking to serve both units) and acknowledged they will need to file with conservation because the widened driveway reduces the wetland buffer in one location.

Board members expressed concerns that the area’s traffic conditions have changed since the project's earlier approvals. The board voted to continue the hearing to Jan. 8 to allow the applicant to provide an updated traffic study and to fund a peer review. The board also directed staff to assemble a short list of independent peer reviewers (including at least one firm not previously used by the city) so a consultant can be selected in December and retained under standard inspection/payment terms.