Commission directs staff to prepare conditions for Burn Park Lane basement addition after applicant revises plans

At the Jan. 27 meeting the Planning Commission reviewed a site development permit application for a 2,860 square‑foot basement addition at 27235 Burn Park Lane. Staff described key technical issues: four light wells (a horizontal clearance standard of roughly six feet has become the commission’s working preference), a front planter that made the front light well both wider and deeper (threatening the town’s 28‑inch basement grade rule), and an MDA calculation that previously exceeded the maximum.

Owner Wendy Sisoni and M‑Designs architect Chip Jessup told commissioners they revised plans to address staff concerns: eliminating front planters that daylighted the basement, reducing the wider side light well to approximately six feet, and removing a concrete slab so the post‑project MDA falls to 15,587 square feet — under the maximum development area. Commissioners reiterated the policy preference that gross light‑well horizontal clearance equal roughly six feet and that any planting remain within that envelope.

After public comment and discussion the commission closed the hearing and directed staff to bring a resolution approving the site development permit on to the Feb. 5 consent calendar, with conditions that include removal of identified covered structures in the setback, compliance with MDA as adjusted, and clarity on light‑well dimensions and materials. The commission also recommended that if landscaping occurs it use native species and asked staff to validate tree removal/retention on the plans.