Craig Jensen of CJS Architects presented revisions to The Hive, a two‑building project at 132 Cherry Street, saying the project needs an amendment to prior approvals after FEMA’s updated flood maps expanded the regulatory floodway and the developer changed the proposal from market‑rate to an affordable project pursuing the 4% ACR process. "The project at 132 Cherry Street has been called The Hive," Jensen said, adding the original approvals dated to 2022 and that the changes require an updated site plan and elevations.

Board members and staff said the revisions are largely evolutionary but focused on important site moves: the team eliminated on‑street parking to align the building face with the neighboring Art House, shifted the curb about eight feet east and moved the building five feet east (a net ~3 feet more tree lawn), and shortened and re‑angled the northern building’s eastern leg to avoid the expanded regulatory floodway. Jensen reported the project still proposes 148 residential units (64 in the North Building and 84 in the South Building) with 26 and 13 parking spaces under the North and South buildings respectively.

The design team said they will raise portions of the ground floor about 3 feet 6 inches so lobbies and some amenity/support spaces meet the new flood elevation; retail at grade is being retained where possible, while lobby areas are accessed via short stairs and a handicap lift. Jensen explained that "pentazine" upper units from the earlier scheme were removed in response to HCR requirements, and a previously proposed rooftop terrace near the inlet is no longer included. The team also added a delivery recess in the tree lawn to accommodate parcel drop‑offs and short stops.

Board members requested several clarifications and follow‑ups. Elizabeth Godden asked the team to update renderings before the upcoming planning board review; Jenny Sutcliffe urged the designers to consider whether ground‑floor retail could better activate the inlet and to clarify how elevated entries and accessible routes will work in practice. Members repeatedly raised the reliability and equity implications of relying on mechanical lifts for accessibility. As Jenny Sutcliffe put it, "how do we balance accessibility needs with these requirements for the flood plain?" Jensen and staff said they have reviewed ramp alternatives and are coordinating with HCR on what the agency will accept for this project.

The design team agreed to return with updated renderings, clearer parking and circulation diagrams, and more detail on screening, transformer placement and the delivery recess prior to the planning board review later in January. No formal vote was taken at the Project Review Committee meeting.