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Council approves Waterford site‑plan amendment with screening, utility coordination and force‑main condition
Summary
After applicant presentations and neighbor concerns about screening species and utility work timing, council approved resolution 25‑17 to accept a major modification that reduces total beds from 638 to 578 and lowers building heights in parts; conditions include hedging, tree preservation and coordination on Universe Boulevard utility work.
LifeSpace and consultant WGI presented a major modification to the previously approved Waterford senior‑living planned unit development. Harvey Oyer (Sutton Bowen) and John Machado (WGI) explained the changes: a reconfiguration of building footprints that reduces total beds from 638 to 578 (a reduction of 60 beds), stepping down building heights in the east from previously approved taller structures to new 3‑ and 4‑story elements, adjustments to open space, and preservation of most existing vegetation.
"We are proposing to reduce the number of units, reduce the height of some of the buildings, and position a few of the buildings differently," said Harvey Oyer as he previewed the applicant’s presentation. WGI confirmed the proposed density remains compliant with town zoning and presented revised landscape and screening plans to address neighbor concerns on the Pleasant Ridge south property line.
Neighbors pressed for clear, consistent specifications for the hedges and planting heights; Charles Hollings said several documents differed on whether coco plum would be installed at 3, 4 or 5 feet at planting and whether a Clusia species would be used. Staff and the applicant agreed to reflect 5‑foot planting at installation and minimum 8‑foot maintenance height in the conditions of approval, and to allow a Calusia family hedge without fixing a single species in the resolution.
Council also debated coordinating the project’s utility work with the town’s planned repaving of Universe Boulevard. After an amendment and follow‑up language, the applicant committed to use best efforts to complete roadway utility work prior to town paving and to return to council with an alternate plan if schedules cannot be coordinated; the council then approved the amendment and the resolution as amended by unanimous vote.
Key details: applicant-proposed reduction from 638 to 578 beds; setback reductions (e.g., a 50‑foot rear setback was modified in places to 30 feet for a three‑story building as shown in staff analysis); conditions requiring tree preservation and hedging; coordination language for force‑main installation to avoid cutting newly paved roadway.
What’s next: Applicant will submit final permit plans reflecting the revised landscaping, preserve identified trees, submit civil/utility plans to Seacoast Utilities for review, and coordinate any required easement or off‑site utility agreements through the building‑permit process.
