09:01The most notable issue discussed was the comprehensive permit application from Cobblestone 5 LLC for a 40B housing project on Marose Avenue. The project, comprising five rental units with four duplexes and one single structure, aims to address the town’s affordable housing shortage. Chelmsford is currently nine units short of the mandated affordable housing percentage. The approval of this project is expected to contribute to closing this gap, as the units will count toward the town’s housing inventory if construction begins within a year.

36:00Despite the project’s potential to aid Chelmsford in meeting housing requirements, it faced opposition from residents concerned about its impact on the local environment, specifically the aquifer.

22:37A letter by a resident, Moren Pollson, raised concerns about the project’s scale, especially given that a previous request to build a single-family home on the same plot was denied. Pollson questioned how the lot, once deemed unbuildable, could now accommodate multiple structures. The letter argued that the project exemplifies the use of Chapter 40B to bypass prior zoning decisions, suggesting that the neighborhood, characterized by single-family homes, would be adversely affected by the scale of the proposed development.

The board acknowledged the timing and necessity of the project, emphasizing their efforts to address neighborhood concerns. Measures such as reducing building heights, opting for sewer systems over septic, and implementing on-site stormwater management were noted. A board member agreed with Pollson’s point about the project serving as an example of 40B undermining previous decisions, highlighting the challenges of balancing housing needs with community concerns.

27:44Environmental considerations were central to the discussion, with residents like Cindy Lazinski voicing concerns about the project’s impact on groundwater quality. Lazinski highlighted the importance of maintaining existing safeguards, particularly in areas designated as wellhead protection zones, and questioned whether the proposed impervious surfaces could compromise groundwater quality. The board reiterated that engineering reports confirmed the project would comply with regulations and emphasized the long-term benefits of improved stormwater management.

30:16The board also noted a change in the Department of Public Works letter regarding sewer capacity, indicating that a sewer lateral increase is limited to 500 gallons per day, with additional capacity purchases restricted to commercial and municipal needs. This prompted further discussions about whether future 40B projects would encounter similar sewer issues.

01:14In addition to the Marose Avenue project, the board discussed a special permit request for a sunroom addition at Five Morning Glory Circle. Nicholas Warren sought a 20% reduction in the front setback requirement due to wetlands at the back of the property. Tom Black, representing the contractor, explained the necessity of placing the addition at the front. The board reviewed comments from various departments, all of which reported no concerns, and unanimously approved the special permit.

43:42The meeting also addressed the continuation of a hearing concerning Ledge Road Realty Trust Holdings, with a particular focus on truck traffic impacting local residents. The absence of Newport representatives was noted, with board members emphasizing the importance of their presence at future meetings to inform the community about their operations.