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Planning board presses developers on buffers, access and wetland protections in three proposals
Summary
Board members questioned requests to reduce landscape buffers at 55 York Street, discussed a zoning-map amendment to reclassify a BP parcel to MRCU near Fernald Brook, and scheduled a site walk for a six-lot subdivision on Trumans Field Road while requesting more traffic, access, and wetland information.
Developers and their engineers presented three separate land-use proposals to the Planning Board on March 23; the board raised recurring concerns about wetland protection, access, emergency vehicle turnaround, and the factual basis for requested buffer or zoning changes.
At 55 York Street, Mike Sudak (Attar Engineering) presented two sketch plans proposing residential development on the rear half of the parcel and asked the board to consider reducing the multifamily landscape buffer (the applicant cited 25-foot rear and 20-foot side yard buffer alternatives). Planning members noted the parcel contains Priority 3 wetlands and said they were uncomfortable approving any plan that places parking or circulation inside mapped wetland areas. Board members specifically pressed for a formal letter from the Waterford Greene Association showing legal access or easement, a traffic-impact analysis for Route 1, and clearer justification for any buffer reductions. Sudak said the developer intends to avoid wetland impacts and is willing to provide an access/utility-easement letter and traffic analysis; he also said buffer relaxation would make it easier to keep buildings out of the wetland.
On the zoning map amendment request from Giles Family Holdings, Jacques Gagnon Jr. (Oak Point Associates) proposed rezoning a Business Park (BP) parcel near Kingsbury Lane and Bragdon Lane to York Street Mixed Residential and Commercial Use (MRCU) to better align with adjacent residential uses and to avoid crossing Fernald Brook for access. Planning staff and board members asked for more detail on unit counts (the applicant estimated fewer than 24 units), septic/sewer feasibility, and the original rationale for the BP designation; staff advised caution and suggested legal review on any waiver language.
On Trumans Field Road, Jason Vafiades presented a sketch for six new lots on a roughly 13-acre parent parcel with extensive wetlands; the board noted steep grades, stormwater and sightline issues, and requested a clearer wetland/stream delineation. The board scheduled a site walk for April 11 to review conditions in the field.
Board direction and next steps: applicants were asked to submit additional documentation (access/utility-easement evidence, traffic study, clearer plans showing wetland limits), and staff will coordinate the scheduled site walk and follow up memos.
