TRC continues Lincoln Meadows 3 review after drainage, easement and sidewalk waiver concerns

The Capital Review Committee continued consideration of the Lincoln Meadows 3 preliminary subdivision plan after members identified several unresolved technical issues, including sewer-easement placement across Lot 6, drainage geometry at proposed drainage manholes and catch basins, and a requested waiver to eliminate sidewalks and granite curbing.

Staff told the committee the application had come before the TRC in August with a string of deficiencies; the technical-review committee previously moved the application to the planning board so the applicant could hear board comments. Staff and Leslie (staff) reported many items have since been addressed but that key concerns remain: the existing sewer easement that crosses Lot 6 and the wetlands near a retaining wall; the location and ownership of a privately managed swale that transitions from private to public to private across the project; and proposed roadway construction changes including a request to replace granite curbing with a Cape Cod berm and to remove sidewalks.

Technical reviewers pressed the applicant’s engineer for drainage details. One reviewer flagged that two 12-inch pipes entering a drainage manhole had mismatched inverts that would reduce capacity; others questioned the geometry and angles of multiple pipe entries and suggested relocating or eliminating some drainage manholes to reduce town maintenance obligations. Nick Kellen of Love Design, the applicant’s representative, said he would review velocities and invert elevations and revise routing where necessary; he also said an abutter had reported localized flooding at one low point and described a proposed yard drain and 12-inch grate, riprap and other measures to manage outfall.

Staff listed proposed conditions for eventual final approval: identification of bounds and monuments on final plans; structural-engineer design for the Lot 6 retaining wall; irrigation by well; the private sewer force main to be privately owned, constructed under inspection and certified by a licensed civil engineer; homeowners association (HOA) documents and maintenance plans reviewed and approved by the town solicitor and recorded at final plan recording; and a Narragansett Bay Commission sewer connection permit required prior to building permits. Staff also requested that the applicant supply revised plans to the TRC by Oct. 15 so materials could be circulated for the planning-board informational session on Oct. 22 and for a likely November public hearing (filing deadline noted as Nov. 5).

A nearby resident, Harry E. Myers IV, said fill had been dumped that raised grades and caused water to collect near his mother’s yard; staff replied dumping was stopped and that the road and final grades must be built to plan and will be reviewed by the town’s new engineer during permitting.

A motion to continue the Lincoln Meadows 3 review to the November TRC meeting so the applicant could address TRC and planning-board comments was made, seconded and approved. The committee concluded by moving to adjourn.