Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee met to consider a single substantive application: the redevelopment of 29 Water Street. The applicant described the property as a three‑story existing masonry building in the Lower Millyard floodplain and presented a landscape plan, proposed City easement to install landscaping around the building, and utility plans that include a proposed 600‑amp pole‑mounted transformer across Water Street (to avoid a pad‑mounted unit) with underground electric run to the site. Construction logistics were discussed in detail: proposed fencing extents (25 feet south, 10 feet west and north, to the sidewalk on the east), filter fabric and dense grade gravel placement, timing to avoid a local block party, and a goal to finish masonry and exterior work before winter with reduced fencing in spring.

Committee members and the applicant discussed coordination needs and outstanding items rather than taking a final vote on the project. Key discussion points included verifying whether the sidewalk and front area lie within the public right‑of‑way or require a formal easement, pursuing a license agreement or easement with the mayor for use of the adjacent park strip, and coordinating the landscape plan and maintenance with the city (OCED). The applicant noted Historical Commission approval has been obtained and that they will file a Request for Determination of Applicability with the Conservation Commission in June; construction is targeted to begin the first week of July. Other technical matters covered included utility service sizes, a fully sprinkled building with domestic and fire lines, limited demolition and preservation of roof framing, an upcoming ACM inspection, removal of demolition material offsite (no stockpiling), egress arrangements, and finishing the ground floor as a shell.