The magnolia tree became a focal point of the discussion, with some board members uncomfortable setting a precedent by denying the application based on potential tree removal. The applicant suggested modifications to the building’s basement to mitigate the risk to the tree, but the municipal arborist still had concerns about the tree’s roots. The debate extended to the shared driveway access, which required formal approval from the neighboring property owner.

Public comments revealed the community’s divided opinions. Beverly Leech, a resident of 293 Witherspoon Street, articulated her desire for the neighborhood to maintain its character and sense of community. Her husband, without specified details in the transcript, and other residents, including Jeff Fury, expressed their opposition, citing privacy concerns, the encroachment of construction, and past experiences with the applicant’s property management.

The board also examined a subdivision and site plan with variances on Ying Street. The applicant presented revisions to the plan in response to board and neighbor feedback. The new design proposed two 1300 square foot homes with attached carports and a detailed landscaping plan pending landscape subcommittee review. Despite these efforts, residents continued to express worries about increased traffic, tree loss, and the potential for altering the neighborhood’s character. The board considered imposing a condition of approval to require a landscape plan and discussed the necessity of a sidewalk installation.

Further complicating matters, a town ordinance governing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) was brought into question, with residents arguing that the proposed subdivision did not comply with the restrictions on constructing ADUs on undersized lots not in existence as of a particular date. The board grappled with the interpretation of this ordinance, debating whether it had the authority to grant relief in this situation.

The issue of subdivisions and ADUs was further discussed, with board members emphasizing the recent trend of bringing such matters to the full planning board for a more rigorous review. While some community members associated subdivisions and ADUs with negative connotations, the board highlighted the potential benefits of smaller dwellings and the control they exercised over the approval process. Conditions for the application’s approval were discussed, including the demolition of an existing house before selling one of the units and specifying native species in the landscape plan.