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Residents and commissioners press developer to redesign Green Street mixed‑use plan over tree loss, traffic and dumpster concerns
Summary
Neighbors and planning commissioners raised persistent concerns about tree removal, vehicle turning geometry, dumpster placement and use of an unpaved 'ghost road' after staff presented a preliminary plan for mixed‑use buildings at 95 Green Street; the applicant agreed to meet with commissioners and consider revisions.
A preliminary development plan for a mixed‑use project at 95 Green Street drew sustained public and commissioner pushback Wednesday over proposed tree removals, access from an unpaved 'ghost road,' parking and the location of a dumpster.
Residents and one writer of a submitted letter said the plan appears to undercount existing tree canopy and risks removal of mature specimens, including a 30‑inch live oak the town arborist recommended retaining. At the podium, Christy Mullen, reading on behalf of Glenda Mikolak, listed specific concerns: “95 Green Street… the plan dated April 1, we have some questions and concerns,” including hardscape and stormwater impacts on the unpaved access road.
Town staff told the commission the application proposes two two‑story mixed‑use buildings and two carriage houses on a 0.29‑acre site zoned Neighborhood Center Historic District, that required parking is 10 spaces (the applicant said a separate plan shows additional backup spaces), and that the applicant’s automobile‑turn exhibit demonstrates a vehicle cannot execute a turnaround without encroaching outside the 22‑foot drive lane. Staff recommended conditions before final approval: relocate the dumpster, revise the site plan to provide adequate vehicle turnaround, and coordinate utilities with ongoing capital improvement projects.
Applicant Randolph Stewart of Stewart Design replied that the team can provide additional backup space and adjust the dumpster and landscape plans. “I would like to say I actually have 12 parking spaces,” Stewart said, adding the development team is prepared to rework the site layout and the covered walkway to connect Green Street and Boundary Street.
Commissioners repeatedly pressed for design changes to preserve the live oak and the nearby magnolia, to fix the turning‑movement geometry, and to relocate the dumpster so it does not abut adjacent residential front doors. Multiple commissioners said the application had not fully addressed Development Review Committee comments and recommended the applicant withdraw or substantially revise the submission and meet with commissioners. The applicant expressed willingness to withdraw and meet to address those concerns; no final decision or vote was taken Wednesday.
Next steps: the applicant may withdraw to revise the plan and meet with commission members and staff; if he proceeds, the commission indicated it will expect a resubmitted package that responds to the arborist, turning‑movement, dumpster and utility coordination items staff flagged.
