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Select Board approves waiver to place hammerhead turnaround past wetland for 1582 Jericho Road subdivision
Summary
The board granted a waiver to Rural Road standards so a hammerhead turnaround for a two‑lot subdivision at 1582 Jericho Road may be located beyond a Class II wetland to reduce wetland impact; a neighbor asked for clearer presentation of whether the access functions as a driveway or private road.
The Richmond Select Board voted to waive Rural Road standards and approve locating a hammerhead turnaround further down a shared access — past a Class II wetland — for a proposed two‑lot subdivision at 1582 Jericho Road.
Applicant representatives said the access has existed since an 1850 survey and that placing the hammerhead further back reduces wetland disturbance while providing safer turnaround access for emergency vehicles. The Development Review Board had previously recommended two waivers during its preliminary hearing and the applicant provided an engineer's letter saying the hammerhead location is safer than placing it nearer the public road.
A public commenter, Chelsea Brooks, asked the board to clearly present whether the existing access is considered a historic road or a driveway under Richmond zoning because that distinction controls applicable standards (driveways for up to three homes versus rural road standards for access serving four homes). Staff explained the town interprets the trigger for rural-road standards as when the access serves four homes; beyond the required section the access may revert to a shared driveway standard.
After discussion the board moved, seconded and voted to approve the waiver and the proposed hammerhead location as presented. Members noted they rely on the zoning administrator and the DRB’s prior review and on the applicant’s engineering safety analysis when granting the waiver.
The board’s approval allows the subdivision to proceed with the hammerhead in the proposed location; any required construction standards or change‑orders will be addressed in subsequent permit and contract documents.
