2008-08-27-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of August 27, 2008 including moving the road to the right, a fairly large amount of grading and significant removal of vegetation or they could do the balanced housing development plan currently before the Board. The site analysis plan shows slopes greater than 15%; historic main house and carriage house, which are under a demolition delay and in poor condition; significant tress; overland flow; soil types and flat area with less vegetation. This site plan had changes to the buildings regarding the location, height, massing, a major limit of work line as well as a minor limit of work line that would allow planting of new materials. Units 1-3 would be each be 2,375 square feet and 32.4 feet high; units 4 & 5 would be 3,169 square feet and a height of 33 feet; Unit 6 would be 2,478 square feet and 31.4 feet high; unit 7 would be 2,410 square feet and 30.6 feet high; Unit 8 would be 2,410 square feet 30.9 feet high. This was a significant reduction from the preliminary plan. The gross floor area (GFA) allowable for this site would be 28,800 square feet. Seven units come in under 2,700 square feet each and nine units under 3,500 square feet each and the only larger unit would be the existing house. The Planning Board had asked for diverse housing and smaller units, which this plan accommodated. Pursuant to a discussion with the Fire Chief, the development entrance would be via an 18-foot wide road, expanding to 22 feet closer to the buildings, which was down from 24 feet and reduced the impervious surface ratio (ISR) for the entire site. In the northwest corner a three-foot wide stone dust pedestrian path to Wachusett Drive was added, following an existing path. The detailed landscape plan showed each unit with a private patio and a 6-8 foot privacy fence. There would be foundation plantings, which were not shown on this plan, to increase the screening to abutters. The drainage shown on the site analysis plan showed the water crossing the property to the abutters on the east and onto Marrett Road. There is no curbing in front of locus and the water rushes from Wachusett Drive and abutters onto the site. A soil analysis was done with 9-10 test pits, which went into wells and there was no water pouring from the wells in heavy rain. Some pockets presented, but no flooding occurred. In order to slow down the water flow, reduce the peak rates and volumes of flow, there would be a swale, which was not included as part of the current drainage plan. Engineering concurred with the plan without this swale. The common open space would be 38-40% without the eastern strip. The location of Unit 3 had been moved 30 feet west and 3 feet south and would be located 80 feet from the nearest structure. Unit 4 was moved 18 feet west and 5 feet north. Units 6-8 were moved slightly north a couple of feet, the angle was