Technical Review Committee
The TRC approved the CMMP for 29 Water Street (conversion of the mill building into six condos). The committee also reviewed prospective projects at 46 Elm St. (Sunrise Bagel) and 40 Water St. (Port Pickle indoor pickleball facility), discussing parking, occupancy, site layout, and coordination with inspections, fire, police, and OCED.
The Technical Review Committee met on August 6, 2026. The committee approved the Construction Management and Mitigation Plan (CMMP) for 29 Water Street — a mill conversion into six residential condominiums — with the applicant reporting demolition activity, scaffolded site work, short-duration utility connections outside the fenced area, an expected removal of outside staging by November 1, 2026, and interior completion targeted for spring. Committee members suggested scheduling a preconstruction meeting, discussed limited stormwater impacts and DPW permitting, and praised the applicant’s coordination during National Night Out.
The committee conducted prospective reviews of two downtown commercial proposals. At 46 Elm Street, a prospective Sunrise Bagel tenant described a 4–6 month interior build-out for a Massachusetts first location; TRC members raised issues the applicant must address with site plans including exact seating counts to determine parking requirements, solid waste/delivery logistics, snow storage, signage/lighting, and review by Inspection and Fire for occupancy/sprinkler thresholds and by the Design Review Committee for exterior finishes. At 40 Water Street, proponents for Port Pickle outlined an indoor pickleball facility with four cushioned courts, electronic booking and access, limited staffing, vending and lockers (no showers), and an anticipated occupancy of 25–35; TRC members noted coordination on water/sewer service when site plans are submitted, potential shared outdoor court/playground opportunities on adjacent grassy areas, and recommended walkthroughs to review safety measures and building systems. Administratively, the committee discussed establishing TRC as a forum to vet higher-level traffic and roadway improvement projects; staff will compile a project list and share it via a Teams portal for ongoing coordination. The minutes from July 9, 2026 were tabled to the next meeting.