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Board approves demolition-rebuild at 7 Valley Ave with conditions to protect drainage
Summary
The Planning Board approved a special-exception application to demolish and reconstruct a single-family home at 7 Valley Ave in the Resource Protection district; the applicant agreed to retain existing grades and improve native plantings to maintain drainage, addressing an abutter’s flooding concern.
The Planning Board voted March 9 to grant a special exception authorizing demolition and reconstruction of a single-family residence at 7 Valley Ave in the Resource Protection District.
Architect Hilary Oat-Judge presented the application and explained the site is a corner lot with a small portion within the Shoreland Overlay but the proposed building footprint lies within Resource Protection. She said grading is constrained by code standards, the driveway will meet a 200-foot site-distance requirement for a permit, and the applicant plans landscaping with native species to help site drainage.
An abutter from 9 Valley Ave said she was not opposed to the rebuild but asked that the board require preservation of an existing drainage gully to avoid flooding. Oat-Judge responded that the proposed work will maintain existing grades and that targeted native planting could improve the gully’s function; she said the project cannot legally prohibit all vegetation removal beyond code requirements but will aim to preserve and enhance natural drainage.
After reviewing the findings of fact, the board approved the application (Motion: J. Vance; Second: R. Metcalf; Vote: 5–0). The approval includes standard conditions and the expectation that the applicant coordinate with abutters on proposed changes near the drainage area.
