The meeting’s primary topic was the redevelopment plan for properties at 1211 and West Park Avenue. Chris Doy, a professional planner, presented the proposal, which aims to replace two struggling senior housing developments with 30 townhouses. The plan introduces an overlay zoning district, allowing for new development rights while maintaining existing zoning rights. Board members voiced concerns over the increased residential density’s impact on local infrastructure, particularly regarding amenities and traffic safety. One member highlighted the lack of parks and safe walking routes for residents, emphasizing that the area’s infrastructure could not support the projected population increase. “Everything requires a car trip,” they noted.

Doy responded by acknowledging these infrastructure concerns and suggested the potential for negotiating off-site improvements with developers. However, he clarified that the current plan did not initially include provisions for mixed-use development or retail spaces, which some board members felt could better serve the community’s needs. The dialogue emphasized a tension between the need for increased housing and the limitations of existing neighborhood infrastructure.

The board also reviewed the consistency of this redevelopment plan with the town’s master plan. While members unanimously supported a motion confirming consistency, the discussion highlighted concerns about the density and the absence of specific size limitations for the proposed three-bedroom units, expected to be approximately 2,000 square feet. The ordinance also lacked a maximum floor area ratio, though it specified a building height limit of 35 feet.

Another topic was the application by Bioin Investment Group LLC to subdivide lots on West Park Avenue and Klein Street for residential development. The proposal involved creating a cul-de-sac to enhance the residential feel, necessitating variances for lot widths due to the proposed orientation. Concerns from neighbors centered on drainage and traffic impacts, with assurances from the applicant’s representatives that stormwater would be managed through underground systems to reduce existing overland flow. A traffic engineer argued that the residential use would generate less traffic than a prior commercial establishment.

The board examined various engineering and planning exhibits related to the subdivision, focusing on stormwater management strategies. The existing conditions lacked stormwater detention, leading to runoff directly affecting adjacent properties. The new plan includes an underground drainage system aimed at improving conditions, with assurances that there would be no negative impacts on nearby wetlands. A proposed stormwater drainage pipe would connect to Klein Street, and the subdivision would feature a cul-de-sac, residential lots, and related infrastructure.

Public concerns were notably voiced during the meeting, particularly regarding the proposed drainage system’s impact. Residents questioned the system’s adequacy during major storm events and its potential to exacerbate flooding, given existing issues with standing water and drainage on Klein Street. Engineers maintained that the development would improve drainage by managing runoff more effectively, but residents expressed skepticism. The board acknowledged the need for further review and potential revisions to the stormwater plan, particularly concerning the emergency spillway’s design and its implications for neighboring properties.

The board also deliberated the proposed subdivision’s design, which would create eight new lots from an existing three-lot tract on West Park Avenue. While no construction is currently proposed, the subdivision approval would allow for future development. The proposal includes necessary infrastructure improvements, such as grading and drainage, with a public roadway and stormwater management system. Variances for lot width and depth were discussed, with some board members suggesting alternative designs to reduce variances and accommodate larger lots.