Planning board tentatively approves major site plan and lighting waiver for disability services project with conditions

The Planning Board reviewed a major-site plan application for 352 Turnpike Road from Disability Assistance and Vocational Education, Inc., and provisionally approved the project subject to final plan updates and conditions.

Planner Karina walked the board through consultant coordination, including a proposed condition that a third-party fire-protection engineering review be provided as a condition of building-permit issuance. The applicant, represented by George Bonham, said he had revised a lighting waiver request to reduce the number of poles required to remain on overnight and to focus illumination on access ways serving the residential component.

Board members expressed concern about routine 24/7 lighting along Turnpike Road, asking for clear, objective triggers to review lighting if neighbors report spillover or adverse impacts. Bonham agreed to add an objective trigger such as documented complaints or measurable spillover and to submit an updated lighting plan that eliminates three lights on the far south and four to the north so that overnight lighting is limited to driveway and immediate approach areas.

The board voted to approve the lighting waiver contingent on receiving the updated plan (dated March 10) and to include a condition that a third-party fire-review is provided prior to issuance of a building permit. The board also agreed to language allowing the planning board to review illumination within one year from the date of decision (and to respond to documented complaints).

What happens next: The applicant will submit the revised exhibit plans and the board will finalize the decision language reflecting the one-year review trigger and the building-permit condition. The hearing was continued in-house to permit submission and sign-off of the revised plan.