The Lowell Planning Board on Dec. 1 approved a definitive subdivision application by Christian Hill Homes, LLC to divide property at 129 Llewellyn Street and 115 Christian Street into 17 single‑family lots, subject to a set of conditions aimed at drainage and slope stability.

David Plunkett, representing the applicant, told the board the submission includes updated landscaping, stormwater calculations and geotechnical work and said, “I think that we have addressed really pretty much all the major issues that have been brought up by the board.” Mark O’Hara of O’Hara Engineering described the site as hilly, summarized the infiltration strategy and said the team will perform test pits on each lot prior to installing stormwater features.

Several neighbors urged stronger protections. “I think that some kind of a retaining wall should be placed in there to prevent any mudslides,” said James Harrington, a Christian Street resident, citing steep slopes and recent tree removal. Other neighbors voiced concern about groundwater, loss of the local urban forest and the developer’s lack of early outreach.

Board members read and discussed written reviews from City Engineer Joseph Cady and Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility executive Evan Walsh. The city engineer’s memo, read into the record, said he had reviewed the slope report by Harry Wetherby, PE, and that he was satisfied with the report’s conclusions about the geology and slope stability when the project is built according to the engineer’s recommendations. The stormwater team concluded the proposed post‑construction system is adequately designed to control runoff but recommended that test pits and soil analyses be conducted for each lot prior to any stormwater infrastructure installation; the applicant’s engineer agreed.

During deliberations the board attached conditions requiring: 1) per‑lot test pits and soil analysis before any stormwater infrastructure installation; 2) retaining‑wall designs to be submitted and reviewed before building permits for affected lots are issued; and 3) installation of vertical granite curb (VA‑4 with 6‑inch reveal) along the full length of the project frontage. The board made the approval contingent on working with stormwater management and the engineering department to resolve any outstanding items.

Board members noted two members were ineligible to vote due to attendance (the meeting record shows four eligible members voted on the matter). The motion to approve the subdivision with the conditions passed on a voice vote.

Next steps: the applicant must submit the required test‑pit reports, retaining‑wall designs and final site plan revisions to the city engineering and wastewater departments as conditions of the subdivision approval before permits are issued.