Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Walnut Heritage House Trust asks to add a two‑bedroom unit and two parking spaces; board continues pending engineered parking plan
Loading...
Summary
The board continued Walnut Heritage House Trust’s application for 63 Walnut Street after the city engineer flagged the parking plan as insufficient; the owner said two parking spaces and interior laundry/storage are proposed for a new second‑floor two‑bedroom unit and agreed to provide a survey/engineered plan and retaining‑wall design.
The Gardner Board of Appeals took up an application from Walnut Heritage House Trust seeking to amend a prior special‑permit approval at 63 Walnut Street to add a two‑bedroom unit (phase 2) and two additional parking spaces.
An owner/representative described the plan as an amendment rather than a wholesale change: the property’s previously approved layout of seven one‑bedroom units remains, and the owner seeks to add one two‑bedroom unit upstairs and two spaces nearby to meet parking requirements. The owner said the lower level will provide a private laundry and storage for tenants and that the changes do not extend the building footprint beyond prior approvals except for paving/striping for two spaces.
City engineer Rob Oliver provided written comments (March 13) noting the submitted parking plan lacks sufficient existing‑condition detail and dimensions to demonstrate compliance with off‑street parking, driveway and aisle standards; he recommended a survey or engineered plan showing parking locations, dimensions, driveway widths and offsets from property lines and noted that additional paving could make the parcel exceed the ordinance maximum impervious coverage (the engineer noted a 60% maximum in his comment).
Board members raised drainage and the condition of the slope behind the property; the owner said he will provide a professional‑engineer‑stamped retaining‑wall design and supervise construction as necessary. Members also discussed snow‑storage locations and turning radii for vehicles; staff confirmed that department comments are posted on the zoning portal and applicants receive notifications.
The board voted to continue the item to April to allow the applicant to submit a clear existing‑conditions plan, a proposed parking layout with dimensions and turning radii, and any stamped retaining‑wall design or contractor contract needed to satisfy conditions. The applicant agreed to provide the requested materials for review by the city engineer and planning staff before the next hearing.
No permit amendment was approved at the March 17 meeting.
