Commission leaves ADU proposal at 28 Shower Street open pending drainage and DPW approvals

Oscar, representing the applicant, presented a proposal to add an 856-square-foot accessory dwelling unit at 28 Shower Street and described stormwater-management elements including two French drains and collector piping.

Commissioners raised multiple technical concerns: they asked for a top-view/site plan, a clear calculation of how much water the proposed French drains and storage would hold (the plan shows a French drain detail of 18 inches deep by 12 inches wide), clarification of what materials will be placed under the elevated shed and whether crushed stone or other surfacing is proposed under parking, and evidence of required DPW permits (curb cut and parking permission). One commissioner warned that routing drain outlets near city pipes could create sinkhole risk and asked for distance-to-pipe measurements and seasonal high ground-water data. The chair noted that driveway and parking approvals fall under DPW jurisdiction and said the commission would not be comfortable approving the ADU without DPW sign-off on curb-cut/parking permissions.

The commission left the file open and requested the applicant provide the DEP file number, an updated plan showing drainage calculations and dimensions (cubic-foot storage capacity), DPW permits or evidence of application for curb-cut and parking, and any additional details for the shed footings and underlying material. The applicant was invited to present the revised plans at the next meeting or to the site-plan review board in the interim.

Next steps: applicant to submit updated plans and permits for review; commission will reconvene the item at the next meeting.