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Sudbury considers duplex at 77 Hudson Road; septic and wetland buffers guide design changes
Summary
Planning staff presented a concept for a possible duplex at 77 Hudson Road; Conservation recommended rotating the house to move septic and leach fields out of the 50-foot wetland buffer and Board of Health percolation tests in drier months to confirm feasibility.
At the Jan. 8 Sudbury Housing Trust meeting, Director of Planning and Community Development Adam Burney presented a concept plan that would allow one duplex at 77 Hudson Road but recommended design shifts to reduce wetland impacts.
Conservation members suggested rotating the proposed house parallel to the road to move the septic and leach field out of the wetland buffer and reduce driveway impervious area. Burney said work within the 50-foot buffer would trigger a Notice of Intent to the Conservation Commission and require stricter alternatives analysis.
Board of Health-percolation testing and test pits were recommended in warmer, drier months to determine whether conventional septic systems would be feasible; Trust members noted that imported soils sometimes reduce perc suitability. If percolation tests fail, the Trust discussed whether mounded systems could meet requirements but acknowledged they may not be feasible. Members also discussed whether a single-family house (fewer bedrooms) would reduce septic demand compared with a duplex.
The Trust asked staff to consult the Board of Health and return with additional analysis; the item was flagged to return to the Trust's February meeting.
Why it matters: Site constraints related to wetlands and septic feasibility will shape whether the property can be used for affordable housing and, if so, the scale and type of development. The Trust emphasized testing and coordination with Conservation and Board of Health before advancing design or procurement.
