Board reviews Harris Memory Care plan at Bellfield; staff seeks more detail on utilities, SWIP and visual impact

Passaro Engineering and the project team presented plans for "Harris Memory Care" at Bellfield on July 15, describing site layout, utility profiles, emergency access, SWIP measures and a material palette intended to tie into the Bellfield design guidelines.

Chris LaPorto (Passaro Engineering) explained that temporary erosion‑control measures and drainage for steep slopes would need careful detailing, and that the water authority may require a water meter pit rather than interior building meters. He said the team would negotiate meter pit details with DCWWA and run profiles and grading into the SWIP submission for DOH review where required. He also confirmed the generator and dumpster were combined onto a single slab and that staging areas for construction would be annotated on the plan.

Board members asked the applicant to show where sidewalks would run along Saint Andrews and how a force main and directional drill under the road would be handled; they requested clearer utility profiles, easement cleanup for the preliminary plat, and a short cross‑section to demonstrate whether the building would be visible from Route 9 or other public vantage points. Several board members expressed stylistic preferences and suggested breaking up the long roof plane with modest vertical or material elements, or with selective landscaping to soften views from the drive approach.

The applicant agreed to update plans, produce perspective views of the main driveway/entrance elevation, provide a narrative tying the materials to the Bellfield design manual, and to schedule a site visit to flag building corners prior to the next submission.