The proposed Compass Lane development, submitted by Private Oversight LLC, dominated the Gardner Planning Board meeting. The discussion revolved around a site plan for a 900-foot cul-de-sac designed to host 32 family dwelling units. The development spans 6.6 acres of buildable land, with an additional 10.1 acres marked as undeveloped, on the Templeton-Gardner town line near West Broadway. Technical details of the project were presented by a representative from FL Engineering, highlighting the infrastructure layout, traffic report revisions, and the inclusion of sidewalks and streetlights along the road.

One notable topics was the effectiveness of the stormwater management system. Concerns were voiced about whether the proposed measures could adequately handle water runoff, especially given the site’s hilly terrain. A speaker doubted the capacity of the small side installations to manage the anticipated water flow. Additionally, discussions highlighted the installation of two new fire hydrants, with assurances that they would meet the required pressure levels. However, any pressure-related issues would be evaluated by the Department of Public Works.

Safety concerns further dominated the meeting, with discussions about sight lines at the development’s entrance and exit points. Vegetation potentially obstructing visibility was a significant worry, with recommendations to clear areas to improve sight lines. The representative pointed out that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation would need to approve the site distance as part of their permitting process. Participants shared personal experiences of poor visibility in the area, emphasizing the necessity for designing the roadway to accommodate all vehicles safely, including school buses and trucks.

Public testimony added layers to the discussion, with one abutter questioning the adequacy of the traffic report from 2022 and sharing personal traffic counts that suggested a notable increase in travel volume. This discrepancy highlighted the need for updated traffic assessments to address safety concerns adequately. The abutter also expressed worries about tree cutting and the proximity of logging activities to property lines, seeking assurance about maintaining appropriate buffers.

The Planning Board acknowledged these concerns and decided to conduct a third-party review of the site plan, specifically focusing on stormwater management and traffic studies. This decision was met with unanimous support from the board members. The public hearing on the Compass Lane subdivision was continued to the next meeting on December 10, allowing time for further departmental input.

In response to a request, the Planning Board assured that all engineering feedback would be sent along with the plans to ensure consistency. The emphasis was placed on thoroughly reviewing and considering all feedback before making any final decisions on the proposed development.