Hampden planning board approves Meadow Road minor subdivision and 281 Western Ave mixed-use conversion

The Hampden Planning Board approved a three-lot minor subdivision for a Meadow Road parcel associated with Amanda Gleason and granted final approval, subject to previously approved waivers, for a mixed-use conversion at 281 Western Ave.

Meadow Road subdivision: A representative described that half the lot had been conveyed previously and that the three proposed lots now each meet a 200-foot road frontage requirement. Staff noted an earlier file/plan oversight but confirmed the corrected plan before the board. With no public supporters or opponents present, the board closed the public hearing and voted to approve the minor subdivision as presented.

281 Western Ave major site plan: Adam Violet of Plymouth Engineering presented plans to convert the former train depot into five one-bedroom apartments and three commercial units (Map Lot 29-0-013). He told the board the layout meets town standards, that parking has been laid out to meet code, and that state and local fire-marshal review has addressed life-and-safety requirements, including sprinklers and egress. Board members pressed for confirmation about firewalls and window egress; the applicant said the project has been reviewed by the fire marshal and that the town code reviewer (Keith) will perform life-and-safety checks during permitting.

The board approved the 281 Western Ave package — final conditional use, major site plan and related subdivision plan — subject to the waivers (Article 4-1-5-1-6 and Article 4.7-2-5) that had been granted during preliminary review. The chair recorded an abstention for that vote.

What happens next: The approvals allow the applicant to proceed to permit-stage reviews (building, life-safety, plumbing, electrical) where town staff and state inspectors will verify compliance with code. The board did not record detailed, named vote-by-vote tallies in the transcript; recorded responses show the motions carried.