Planning board continues hearing on 359 King Street 'Blueberry Farm' open‑space development

The Littleton Planning Board on June 25 continued the public hearing on an application to redevelop 359 King Street into a five‑unit residential open‑space cluster while preserving about five acres as open space. The application, filed by 359 King Street LLC with applicant Dwight Long, requests an open‑space development special permit, a storm‑water permit and an aquifer/water‑resource district special permit under sections of the Littleton Town Code read into the record by the clerk.

The applicant’s attorney, Cheryl Gold, told the board the plan was still under peer review but that an engineerdesigned layout shows capacity for five units and preserves wetlands and conservation areas at the rear of the lot. "This was a plan designed by the engineer. I think he's done a very nice job," Gold said, asking the board for questions and noting the team will return with technical waivers after the engineer completes his review.

Board members and residents pressed for technical clarifications. An attendee who later identified himself as abutter Steve Kichman asked about soils, groundwater and septic design; the project engineer said they had test‑pitted the site, described the soils as "all sand and gravel," and said the septic design would likely use chamber systems with a reserve field adjacent to the primary leach area. The applicant said the back portion of the site would likely be subject to conservation restrictions that would allow animal grazing by future homeowners but not future residential infill.

The public notice read by the clerk listed the specific Littleton Town Code sections cited for the filings; the record named the property (Assessor Map U8, Lot 104) and identified Dwight Long as the applicant. Board members emphasized that, separate from any private sale, zoning in the village common district does not allow auto dealers (even by special permit), a point raised earlier in the meeting amid community 'rumblings' about nearby property sales.

With the applicant’s engineer absent until a brief vacation ends, board members asked the applicant to supply the list of requested waivers so peer review can proceed on that basis. A motion to continue the Blueberry Farm hearing to July 9, 2026 at 6:35 p.m. was moved and seconded and the board voted in favor to continue the matter to that date to allow the team to provide waiver details and peer‑review responses.

Next steps: the applicant’s engineer will produce the requested waiver list and response to peer review; the board will expect updated plans and clearer technical documentation when the hearing resumes on July 9.