Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee heard a pre-application presentation for 10 Chestnut Street. The owner and civil engineer described plans to repave and reconfigure paved areas (including one small new paved area), address grading issues, add hatched markings, and reorganize parking and pedestrian access. They asked about relocating a utility pole, potentially moving a hydrant off the gutter line and constructing a curved granite curb island, and connecting roof runoff into a nearby city storm catch basin. Committee members raised concerns about fire access and existing or potential public access easements, confirming that a 20-foot access width from Washington St. to Chestnut St. is intended and that any gate must allow emergency access (e.g., Knox box) if an easement does not exist. The applicant was advised to coordinate with DPW and the Water Department on drainage and hydrant work, and with OCED and building staff on sidewalk/accessible ramp issues for the Washington St. storefront entrance.

Committee discussion also covered zoning and environmental jurisdiction: staff noted the site appears outside the 200-foot riverfront buffer and not subject to conservation jurisdiction, and recommended filing a site plan review application under section XI.C of the zoning code to establish a compliance baseline and request waivers where necessary. Additional comments addressed opportunities to pull parking away from the mill to create a planting strip, to confirm impervious surface calculations, and to verify whether the adjacent street is accepted by the city. The minutes for the December 17, 2025 TRC meeting were approved (one member abstained), and the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 am.