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Neighbors press for tree survey and buffer after Royal Residences landscape presentation
Summary
Landscape consultant outlined native planting, courtyards, pool and amenity ideas, but abutters and the architectural peer reviewer urged a formal tree-survey, clearer grading limits, more screening and rethinking synthetic-turf and playground placement to reduce visual and noise impacts.
Tom Miner of Hawk Design presented the Royal Residences landscape plan, describing two building courtyards, native-plant palettes, a pool, dog run and play areas, and shielded LED lighting. "We strive to get as many native plants as we can," Miner said when explaining the planting palette and efforts to retain perimeter trees where feasible.
Neighbors said the renderings understate the extent of tree clearing required by grading. Several abutters asked the board to require a formal tree-survey and a clearer depiction of grading limits where the driveway enters the site. Gary Clayton, an abutter, urged the board to adopt the architectural peer reviewer’s recommendation for a screening survey, saying that aerial views do not reflect the on-the-ground visibility that residents experience.
Architectural peer reviewer Cliff Bomer recommended a tree survey to determine effective screening after clearing and grading, re-locating the toddler play area to a more central, observable location, and reducing surface parking that currently surrounds the buildings. "I would recommend... a tree survey to really get a good idea of how effective the screening will be after all of the clearing and grading is completed," Bomer said.
Lighting and materials: The planning board and Natural Resources Commission favor 3,000 kelvin or lower and dark-sky-compliant fixtures. The applicant agreed to submit a photometric plan and to consider reducing the use of synthetic turf or replacing it with other surfaces.
Next steps: The board asked the applicant to provide clearer limits-of-work, a tree-retention plan or tree-survey results and a photometric lighting plan; the applicant committed to post written responses and to discuss them in a follow-up working session ahead of the Jan. 23 continuation.
