Board approves new two‑story house at 968 Pine Brook Boulevard with design and safety conditions

The Planning Board approved a site‑plan application Dec. 16 to replace a one‑story house at 968 Pine Brook Boulevard with a new two‑story single‑family dwelling. Architect Mary Scott and builder Nick Gerardi described a design that raises the first floor 4½ feet to create views over a rocky rear slope and preserve a flat upper yard while minimizing rock removal.

The proposed home includes a two‑car garage, a basement bedroom/playroom, an open first floor and five second‑floor bedrooms. The applicant presented options to provide additional backup/turnaround space at the driveway, including a pullback/hammerhead to reduce the need to back onto Pine Brook Boulevard, which several board members emphasized is a busy corridor used by bicyclists and pedestrians.

Board members asked about rock excavation and circulation; the builder said rock chipping would be limited to footing work and that the design ‘‘embraced’’ the existing rock to minimize removal. The board added conditions that require DPW permits and repairs, sidewalk replacement, CCTV inspection of the sanitary main, identification of the sanitary main on the site plan, submittal of driveway materials and configuration, and provision of code‑compliant emergency escape/rescue openings for the basement playroom. A staff condition referencing the fire department’s comment on residential sprinklers was amended: the applicant must comply with applicable code and confirm with the Fire Department whether sprinklers are required given the provided egress. The motion passed by voice vote.