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Board continues 13 Woodland Drive septic/bedroom-capacity debate until Dec. 18 after lengthy public concerns
Summary
The board continued consideration of a multi-parcel application at 13 Woodland Drive (Lot 6) to Dec. 18 after detailed public scrutiny over whether the parcels are legally combined, what plan is intended (elder housing versus multiple houses), and how bedroom credits translate to on-the-ground building layout and septic placement.
The Board of Health continued a contentious application for 13 Woodland Drive (Lot 6) on Nov. 20 after an extended public and board discussion over buildability, bedroom credits and whether the plan before the board matches designs circulated to the planning board.
Applicant engineer Dan Malloy and counsel described multiple pathways for development: a single-family scheme, an elder-housing concept, or multiple dwellings. Residents and board members said they had seen different plans presented publicly and requested a definitive plan because septic placement, setbacks, test pits and leach-field siting depend on the building layout. "We need to see something in front of us," said longtime board member Jim, reflecting concern that the board historically does not vote without seeing a concrete plan.
Board staff explained that, under Title 5, approvals hinge on design flow and that bedroom credits determine septic sizing; an approval runs with the land and can constrain future subdivision. Several board members urged the applicant to return with a consolidated plan and suggested a pre-meeting check-in between the chair and the applicant to make sure the submission responds to the board’s questions. The board voted to continue the item to Dec. 18 and requested that the applicant file any revised plan at least one week before the meeting.
