Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee heard a presentation on the proposed residential development at 27.5–29 Clarks Road. The applicant described an 11-acre parcel with a small developed upper portion and the remainder preserved with a public trail connecting to the Point Shore neighborhood; site amenities include a playground, dog run, trailhead with bike storage, and above- and below-grade parking totaling roughly 200 spaces. Engineering details discussed included a single 24-foot curb cut for access, stormwater design emphasizing infiltration in a sandy top layer with an infiltration basin located outside the 50-foot wetland buffer, new onsite water and sewer services (gravity-fed where possible), coordination with National Grid, and a ramp to underground parking with a 10% slope. The applicant agreed to provide additional materials requested by the Committee (swept-path ladder-truck analysis, more detailed site grading and cut/fill charts, cross-sections of the parking ramp, stormwater details, stockpile and construction staging details, and a CMMP and construction stormwater monitoring plan prior to construction). They also confirmed sidewalks across the site frontage will be replaced, stone-dust trails/boardwalks are planned, roof-mounted HVAC, provision for up to ~40 EV-capable spaces, bike racks, enclosed trash facility, and coordination for invasive plant removal and landscaping seed mixes.

Committee members and staff focused on public-safety and site-control items: Fire raised access concerns around Building C and suggested the possibility of removing some proposed trees to improve truck access and requested continued coordination with Fire on building access and hydrant locations; DPW coordination on water main sizing and utility connections was noted. Traffic review by the applicant’s engineer found an expected 55–58 trips in peak hours with minimal intersection delay increases; the study showed little impact to Main Street and southbound speeds below posted limits where measured. Committee members requested that the applicant address sidewalk/pedestrian connections (including coordinating with prior Starbucks-area improvements and potential right-turn lane considerations), show visitor parking and public access easements for the trail, provide fencing and lighting details, clarify trash collection logistics, and include a formal waiver list and fixture/landscape specifications in the next submittal. Public comments included a suggestion for a right-turn-only exit (noted as unenforceable) and concerns about perceived vehicle speeds on site-adjacent roads.