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

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Minutes for the Meeting of June 11, 2008 Page 5 Audience Comments: Parvaneh Barakhshan of 355 Waltham Street said the area was just like a wetland three to four months in the winter. The Todd’s house has a spring under it. No one talked to the Waltham abutters regarding this project. Margaret Heitz of 335 Marrett Road said to notice the size of her house, which is considered large, compared to the units they were proposing to build. She was concerned about the number of cars, number of trips, limiting the number of parking spaces, fire access if cars were not properly parked and drainage in the spring where there is heavy water from the Todd residence spring above them. Dave Langseth of 29 Wachusett Drive gave out a handout. He said the number one issue was density. They were squeezing the maximum density allowed, four units on this site, which would be too many for the neighborhood as it doubles the 2.2 units per acre to four units per acre. Neighborhood abutters suggested a maximum of eight units. Other issues raised were: ?? Common open space; ?? A condition that if main house and carriage house were demolished they should be replaced with a forested area; ?? Sustainable practices for green buildings and landscaping; ?? Impervious surface ratio calculation seemed off; ?? Support pedestrian access from Wachusett Drive, did not see the need for a bike path; ?? Common open space conveyed to the Town or by deed restriction in perpetuity; and ?? Reducing density to an appropriate number. Mr. Hornig said the basic density was the Gross Floor Area (GFA) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) rather then the number of units. Mr. Langseth said he had the numbers and would submit them. Eugene Foley of 365 Waltham Street said the runoff was of great concern. There is surface water 35 to 79 inches below the surface; there was standing water on the eastern edge in late winter; why not connect to the town sewer system. Mr. Waitt said they were not allowed to tie into the town’s drainage system. Tests were done by certified people and based on soil mottling. Mr. Zurlo asked if they planned on doing additional testing before the definitive plan. Mr. Canale said the Planning Board should have a peer review from an outside firm at the definitive plan stage. Ms. Manz said the Engineering report was not in yet and she would have to take that