2008-06-11-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of June 11, 2008 Page 3 Mr. Waitt said the buildings were still in the design phase. Mr. Lopez said the attics all have pull down ladders and he was still working on the design of the roofs of the stepped units. Mr. Galaitsis said visually the units appeared to be 3½ stories, which he considered undesirable, but was pleased that the conventional plan was not being pursued. He stated that a good design should also benefit the abutters. He indicated that in a conventional subdivision (based on the proof plan) there would be one unit near the east border, which would account for 25% of the structural square footage. However, the proposed BHD has five units, which is about 45% versus 25%, and, in totality, much bigger than the biggest conventional house. He suggested moving the group of units to the end of the drive next to the big house and getting rid of the carriage house. Ms. McCall-Taylor said the Historical Commission does not want the carriage house razed. Mr. Galaitsis said he was not aware of that, but they may need to do something else to relieve the pressure on the eastern border. Mr. Waitt said the reason the units were moved was because the Board wanted the units moved off the slopes and it would save trees. Mr. Canale said the sketches were helpful, but on the locus plans the structures were not identified and need to be on the next submission. What is adjacent to the parcel with units 4 & 5? At 367 Waltham Street are a single-family residence, a garage, and two residential condo units above commercial office space. Ms. McCall-Taylor said the zone line runs through the middle of the lot. Mr. Canale said in terms of the path, it would be required for his approval. If a bicycle path is not feasible, they should justify why not. Would all the tall evergreens in front be removed? Mr. Gwozdz said they are removing them all due to the width requirement for the pavement. Mr. Canale said that it appeared to be an overly aggressive stormwater management system; what was being proposed for lawn area as opposed to natural landscape and roof runoff? Mr. Waitt said the roof runoff would go into its own infiltration systems, and overland drainage would go down the drive into a catch basin. At this point steepness made it difficult to do much else and the lots are too small for bio-swales. This would be discussed this more at the definitive stage. Mr. Canale said he did not see any plantings on Marrett Road. It is a matter of health since the trees could capture particulates from the traffic. He also wanted to minimize lawn areas. Regarding the roadway access and width, direction should come from the Board of Selectmen regarding sustainability and encouraging the Town to have the right sized emergency vehicles so not to require excessive pavement. Mr. Canale asked what units 4-6 looked like from Marrett Road and what was the nature of the neighborhood discussion?