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Brookside plan raises questions on cisterns, buffers and landscaping; board asks for clearer planting plans
Summary
Brookside’s application drew detailed staff review of cistern design and strong board pushback on landscaping and buffer quality. The board continued the application 30 days and asked for clearer trail/open‑space plans and specimen‑tree sizes before awarding any density bonus.
The Planning Board pressed Brookside’s applicant on technical and landscaping details at the Oct. 21 meeting, requesting clearer plans for cisterns, buffers and open‑space use before advancing density‑bonus or final approvals.
Craig Curtis of Acorn Engineering said the submission addressed most completeness items, including test‑pit logs and HOA documents, but staff asked for additional details on septic locations, final grading and a few labeling edits. The board focused on the cistern design: plans call for multiple 5,000‑gallon tanks in a closed system that must be emptied and refilled every five years. Mike (planning staff) said the HOA will incur long‑term maintenance costs and that the town will require documentation that the cistern system will meet fire‑protection needs.
Several board members expressed strong dissatisfaction with the landscaping plan and with tree removals that already occurred on the site. One member said the proposed replacement stock (6–7‑foot trees) was insufficient for the scale of trees removed and urged much larger specimens; another asked for planting distances and heights to be shown on the plan. The board also asked the applicant to show trail layouts and explain how the open space would provide public benefit before any density bonus is considered.
The board voted to continue the application for 30 days and set a submission deadline for materials ahead of the Nov. 4 meeting. Staff asked the applicant to provide revised planting details, clarified cistern connection plans (fewer leaks and larger tanks recommended) and clearer labeling for proposed utilities and grading adjustments.
