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Planning Board approves Wells Plaza landscape buffers and a parking‑requirement reduction; final approvals conditioned on plan updates
Summary
The board approved landscape buffers for Wells Plaza, granted a reduction in required parking citing mixed uses and transit access, and required plan updates (tree plantings, dumpster relocation, water district letter) before final sign‑off. Several conditions were tied to occupancy.
The Wells Planning Board unanimously approved several landscape buffers and granted a reduction in required parking for Wells Plaza on May 5, while placing conditions on final approval that require plan updates and documentation before occupancy.
Eric Dubey of Trillium Engineering presented the lot‑split site‑plan amendment and explained that the applicant must amend the previously approved site plan to reflect the new parcel configuration. Staff noted removal of previously uncovered pavement in areas where the site exceeded allowed lot coverage and proposed converting that area back to grass to meet the ordinance.
Board members questioned whether certain parking spaces could be counted toward restaurant demand because some spaces are regularly occupied by an adjacent gas station owner. Staff proposed signs and wheel stops to reserve spaces for customers and noted that these are cooperative solutions between property owners but that code enforcement would ultimately review availability.
On parking, staff explained the site’s historical configuration (including a movie theater and staggered hours of operation) and noted pedestrian and transit access nearby, including a bus stop on an adjoining property. Based on those factors, the board approved a reduction in required parking for the Plaza.
The board also voted to accept landscape buffers along Route 1, Sanford Road (including a motion to install five shade trees), and Brook Lane, subject to added plan notes. Staff said two additional trees on Sanford Road need to be added to the plan and that the water district letter was expected within two weeks. The board found the application complete but deferred final signing until the additional trees and required utility letters appear on the revised plan.
Next steps: Applicant to provide updated plan details (tree locations, wheel stops/signage, dumpster relocation if necessary), secure the water‑district letter, and coordinate sidewalk easements and triggers with the town prior to final approval and occupancy.
