Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!

Preliminary review of Pro Street Subdivision raises wetlands and access questions; board keeps plan in preliminary

January 15, 2026 | Gardner City, Worcester County, Massachusetts


This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »

Preliminary review of Pro Street Subdivision raises wetlands and access questions; board keeps plan in preliminary
The board conducted a preliminary review of the Pro Street Subdivision proposed by FWP Realty Partners LLC and represented by Dan Sheehan of Haley Ward. The applicant described a roughly 55-acre parcel with an internal 3,000-foot loop road, significant wetlands bisecting the site, proposed stormwater basins (depicted as hatched areas), and a plan for one-sided sidewalks tying into Pearl Street. Sheehan said the current layout shows approximately 46 dwelling units in multiple quadplexes and one duplex; he explained the duplex was sited to avoid a certified vernal pool.

Board members asked whether the plan had been reviewed by the conservation commission; the applicant said it had not yet been reviewed for this specific revision. The board noted some wetland flags (flags 1–16) may need extension near the Pearl Street/Route 140 corner to clarify the wetland extent and avoid potential conflicts. Staff asked whether stormwater basins were planned as open infiltration basins; the applicant confirmed testing had not yet been done in the proposed basin locations. The board discussed emergency access and the entrance from Pearl Street; the plan shows a loop with roughly 800 feet of travel to the turnaround, which keeps it under the 900-foot maximum for dead ends the city allows. Staff suggested widening the entrance as an alternative to a boulevard, and the board asked to consult the fire chief on emergency-access concerns.

Board members also suggested considering the city's newly adopted 'homes' zoning provisions (housing priority overlay, multifamily by-right, and tiny-home provisions) and the open-space residential subdivision option to increase density while preserving open space; the applicant said they would evaluate those options for the definitive plan. Given the potential for significant changes (including a possible move to an open-space layout), staff recommended the applicant remain in preliminary and seek an extension of the 45-day preliminary review period; the applicant agreed an extension would be needed. The board concurred and will take the matter up again at a future meeting once additional testing, flagging, and revised plans are submitted.

Next steps: applicant to perform wetland flagging extension and geotechnical/stormwater testing, consider open-space or zoning alternatives for definitive submittal, and formally request a timing extension for the preliminary review period.

View the Full Meeting & All Its Details

This article offers just a summary. Unlock complete video, transcripts, and insights as a Founder Member.

Watch full, unedited meeting videos
Search every word spoken in unlimited transcripts
AI summaries & real-time alerts (all government levels)
Permanent access to expanding government content
Access Full Meeting

30-day money-back guarantee

Sponsors

Proudly supported by sponsors who keep Massachusetts articles free in 2026

Scribe from Workplace AI
Scribe from Workplace AI