2008-02-27-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of February 27, 2008 Page 3 Mr. Hornig said one concern was the driveway width. He would require 18 feet the entire way. He wondered if the common open space might be better in the center. Mr. Waitt said the units were sited on the open areas that had no major trees. Mr. Hornig said at the Historic Commission meeting there was an expressed interest in keeping the carriage house as a set with the main house, although no formal position had been taken. Mr. Hornig said other items to consider were the bicycle and pedestrian access to Wachusett Drive. While through vehicle traffic is not appropriate here, he might want a gated, ten-foot wide emergency access. Mr. Hornig said even if the maximum GFA is 28,800 square feet he did not see the need to reduce the number of units, as he would like to see smaller units. He also noted that Town Meeting has a proposed amendment before it regarding the height of buildings and that should be kept in mind. He wanted to see restraint on the height and have the buildings fit into the sloping site. He would also like to see consideration of a public benefit development. Mr. Canale said that having an emergency access to Wachusett Drive would depend on the number of units. If there were 10 units, the emergency access would be necessary, but with fewer units it might not be desirable. The Board would like a variation in unit size, but several very small units would be fine. Ms. Manz said a variety of sizes would be the preference, but smaller units would be fine; bicycle and pedestrian access would be good, and an emergency access is questionable. Mr. Hornig said that the Board received a petition from the Wachusett Drive Neighborhood Association that would be placed in the file. Mr. Waitt said they are in communication with the neighbors. He intends to check with the fire department regarding the access and he will do a tree survey. The size of the units will be determined after Town Meeting. He could see the balanced housing development or public benefit development working, but the site sensitive does not work here. Mr. Hornig said the preliminary plan should wait until Town Meeting. Mr. Waitt said if the changes were not passed at Town Meeting they would need to come back for more guidance, and, if it passed, they would come back with a preliminary plan. Mr. Lopez said they would come back with one plan that would comply with both. Ms. McCall-Taylor said it was unlikely to make it on an agenda prior to the Town Meeting vote. Mr. Harrington said he would need to look into possible liability regarding the pedestrian access.