The board’s unanimous decision to grant a comprehensive permit under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40B for the 17 Walker Street project marked a critical moment in the meeting. The proposal, which includes the demolition of a single-family commercial building dating back to 1935, will see the construction of an 11-unit apartment building with a mix of studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units. Four units are designated to remain affordable under state housing guidelines, addressing a pressing need for affordable housing in Falmouth, where the latest subsidized housing inventory shows only 8.13% of housing is affordable.

One of the most contentious aspects of the proposal was its height, which exceeds Falmouth’s zoning bylaw limit of 35 feet. The developer requested a waiver to allow the building to reach 37 feet, including an elevator shaft, and to increase the number of stories from the permitted 2.5 to three. The board’s decision to approve this waiver was based on the finding that the additional height would not be “visually discernible” and would harmonize with the neighborhood’s architectural context.

Parking, a perennial issue in Falmouth, was another focal point of the discussion. The development proposal included only 11 parking spaces, despite zoning bylaws requiring 19 spaces for a complex of this size. The board granted a waiver for the shortfall, citing the availability of public parking within walking distance. However, concerns were raised about the saturation of parking in the downtown area, with one member noting that the situation could worsen post-development. This prompted a condition requiring the applicant to coordinate with the U.S. Postal Service on mail delivery and ensure emergency vehicles can easily locate individual units.

The board also addressed the project’s adherence to historical preservation standards. Concerns from the historical commission about the building’s design, scale, and materials prompted the hiring of an architect to review the proposal and suggest improvements. The development’s lot coverage will increase significantly, necessitating additional waivers for coverage limits.

In terms of utilities, a flow neutral variance was approved to accommodate the increased wastewater flow from the new residential use. The Wastewater Superintendent confirmed that the existing system could handle the increase, which will rise from 500 gallons per day to 1,650 gallons per day.

The meeting further delved into the conditions attached to the approval, including the requirement that three of the units remain affordable rental units for households earning no more than 80% of the area median income, with one studio unit available for households earning up to 100%. These conditions are part of a broader strategy to ensure these units contribute to the state’s subsidized housing inventory.

In another segment of the meeting, board members discussed a separate development on Quissett Highway. A presentation by the executive director of the Falmouth Housing Trust highlighted issues around the classification of access roads, which could affect municipal services like snow plowing and trash collection. The road’s classification as a “driveway” raised concerns about resident responsibilities for maintenance. The board agreed to keep the hearing open to resolve these issues.