Applicant says Franklin Street addition will reduce FAR; board keeps public hearing open over septic, design and variance concerns

The Planning Board kept the public hearing open for a proposed one-story addition and master suite at 140 Franklin Street after questioning several outstanding technical and design issues.

The applicant’s project manager introduced himself: “My name is Elvis. I'm project manager at Dally Engineering.” He said the project currently lists an FAR of roughly 0.43 and that they plan to reduce the design to meet the 0.4 FAR requirement. Commissioners pressed on utilities: the property is connected to public water but not to the city sewer system; the applicant said septic tanks are present and that the homeowner has tried but not succeeded in securing a public sewer connection. Staff and commissioners also identified gaps in the Environmental Assessment Form and site-plan materials, including the absence of an existing-conditions plan, clarification of other approvals required beyond a building permit, and whether current commercial uses on the property are permitted in the residential district.

Design and use concerns surfaced: several commissioners warned that a separate exterior staircase leading to the proposed second-floor master suite could create the functional equivalent of a separate dwelling unit, potentially triggering variance or zoning issues. The board asked the applicant to revise plans to either reduce the FAR or pursue a variance at ZBA, and to provide revised plans that address septic, EAF, and site details before returning. The public hearing remains open; the board will require the applicant to correct submittal deficiencies and to work with the planning and building departments before another hearing or vote.