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Proposed Chabad redevelopment draws detailed stormwater and tree-mitigation scrutiny from abutters and town staff
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Summary
Lucas Environmental and CEC presented plans to demolish an existing house and build a new 19,000 sq ft Chabad with associated stormwater measures; abutters and a peer reviewer raised concerns about infiltration ponds, setbacks and groundwater offsets, and the commission continued the hearing to May 7 for revised plans.
At the April 23 meeting the commission received a detailed notice of intent from Lucas Environmental and CEC for the proposed redevelopment of 1195 Central Avenue: demolition of the existing residential structure and construction of a new Chabad facility (roughly 19,000 gross square feet with an approximately 8,000-square-foot footprint) plus a separate single-family residence.
Devin Tabor (Lucas Environmental) outlined site conditions, wetlands limits, and a mitigation plan that would remove lawn within the buffer and plant native shrubs and trees to improve ecological functions. Devin noted the project would remove nine trees within the 100-foot buffer; under the Needham tree replacement policy, the filing proposes a combination of trees and shrubs to meet required mitigation ratios.
Carlos (CEC), the project engineer, described grading, a circular access route, two stormwater basins (an infiltration pond toward the front of the site and a detention/infiltration basin in the rear), catch basins with deep-sump water-quality units, and sanitary utility connections. Carlos said the infiltration basins will be evaluated to ensure they meet DEP guidance (including locating infiltration outside of the 50-foot buffer where required) and noted the site has a high water table identified in multiple test pits.
Abutter concerns were raised during public comment. Gloria Grice, executive director of the Needham History Center, said the site has chronic drainage and that increased impervious cover worries her organization because runoff flows toward their property. Brian Nelson, a peer reviewer engaged by an abutter, flagged several technical items: the proximity of infiltration structures to building foundations and to required setbacks, discrepancies in test pit elevations that affect groundwater offsets, and the need for a pipe-capacity analysis and hydraulic profile to demonstrate how the system will meet the new town stormwater bylaw (which increases volume-storage requirements effective May 1). Kevin Freytag, representing nearby homeowners, said the engineers' review supports concern that deficiencies could place private property at risk.
Applicants acknowledged the comments and said they will revise the plans to address DEP comments, abutter letters and planning-board concerns. Devin confirmed intent to supply revised plans, supplemental information and any clarifications on tree mitigation ratios. The commission and staff requested that new materials be submitted at least one week before the May meeting so reviewers can circulate them.
What happens next: The commission voted to continue the 1195 Central Ave hearing to May 7 for follow-up review of the revised stormwater, grading and landscape plans.
