The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to approve a site‑plan amendment on Tuesday to add an emergency generator behind a multifamily building at 10 Realty Drive, after hearing that the unit is required by building‑code reviewers to keep elevators operable during power outages.

Jay Klein, a partner at the law firm Carmody, Torrance, Sandak & Hennessy, who spoke for the developer, said the generator is a narrow, screened installation placed behind the building and "won't take away any parking spaces." He told the commission the unit "would come on and the elevators within the structure would continue to operate," calling it "an important health and safety standard."

The commission's discussion focused on parking and access. Commissioners recounted the project's previously approved parking allocation and noted the site has roughly 74 parking spaces for 74 units; one commissioner described that ratio as "close" and urged the applicant to look for room to add at least one more stall. Staff indicated the previously approved parking count would be maintained and that the generator footprint is smaller than a standard parking stall.

Commissioners also asked whether fire and police had reviewed the generator location; staff said those reviews were verbal and that the proposed location meets fire‑prevention code. The record and plans presented to the commission included a utility plan revised 02/05/2025 that shows landscaping and a hedge to screen the generator and a note indicating sound attenuation measures.

A separate concern was that Realty Drive is a private road, which limits the town's ability to tow vehicles under recently changed regulations. One commissioner warned that parking on both sides of the private road could block access and create a safety hazard; staff noted a prior condition of approval requiring the applicant to work with the HOA to post no‑parking signage.

Motion and vote: A motion to approve the site‑plan application for a generator at 10 Realty Drive was made and seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, recorded as 8 in favor and 1 opposed; Commissioner Natali was recorded as voting against.

Next steps: The applicant's attorney said he would relay commission comments about parking to the builder and return with any additional information if the applicant can identify room for more spaces. The commission did not direct staff to withhold approval pending the parking investigation; it approved the site‑plan amendment and asked staff to follow up on the parking question.