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Commission continues 238 Hudson ADU review amid engineering and zoning questions
Summary
Goddard Consulting presented a revised plan for a one-story accessory dwelling at 238 Hudson Street; the commission continued the project to Dec. 8 after staff and commissioners flagged missing PE certification for floodplain calculations, roof discharge details, and potential zoning constraints that may require a variance or special permit.
Goddard Consulting representative Mitch Maslanka presented revised site plans Nov. 10 for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 238 Hudson Street, saying the proposal replaces an existing garage with a slightly smaller ADU and adds a small restoration area near the river.
Vinny Vignali and commissioners raised open technical and regulatory questions. Vinny said DEP comments flagged that floodplain computation is typically performed or certified by a professional engineer (PE) and the submission currently lacks a PE stamp or documented justification. He asked the applicant either to provide a PE certification or supply a regulation-based justification for why a PE is not required.
Maslanka said the proposal reduces the footprint (from 922 sq. ft. to 898 sq. ft.) and does not add fill to bordering-land-subject-to-flooding areas; he argued, therefore, that compensatory flood-storage calculations were not required in this case. Vinny and other commissioners requested plan details showing gutter/runoff routing and the limits of degraded riverfront area so the commission can confirm construction won’t worsen erosion or unmanaged stormwater flows.
The planning director and building inspector had flagged that a new residence in the floodplain may be prohibited under zoning without a variance or special permit and that the finished floor elevation likely must meet floodplain standards. Commissioners agreed it would be prudent to secure planning/building comments and any required zoning approvals before issuing a final conservation decision. The commission voted to continue the hearing to Dec. 8 so those comments can be obtained and outstanding plan items addressed.
