Published in the June 20, 2018 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The proposed Perley Burrill subdivision is inching closer to becoming a reality.
The Planning Board voted to continue its public hearing on the proposed two-lot subdivision at the site of the former Perley Burrill gas station, 914 Salem St., on June 13. The Planning Board is tentatively scheduled to vote on the proposed plans at its next meeting on Wednesday, June 27, beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting’s location has yet to be announced.
Planning Board Vice Chairman Michael Sheehan suggested continuing the public hearing after planners received updated documents about the project just before the meeting.
“I just want to make sure everyone on the board has an opportunity to digest what is being presented,” said Sheehan. “I want us to do this the right way.”
While the public hearing was continued, Town Engineer Charlie Richter and Hancock Associates Engineer Katie Cruz gave an overview of the updated plans for the two-lot subdivision.
Richter said the subdivision plans have been revised “several times” since the project was first presented to the Planning Board in April.
“There is nothing substantial in terms of lot configuration or road width,” said Richter. “Most of the revisions were made to the drainage system.”
Cruz said the subdivision’s access points from Salem Street have not been changed.
“The largest revisions were to the drainage system,” said Cruz. “The purpose of the revisions was to accommodate drainage from off-site areas, mostly from backyards that are west to the site.”
In order to accommodate the off-site areas, Cruz said a “shallow pond” would be constructed “along the edge of the western side of the road.”
“It will collect water from the off-site area,” said Cruz. “A culvert will connect the pond to a low area of the site. That was designed to kind of mimic the existing drainage conditions on the site. Right now, it’s a very flat area with mostly grass, so there is not a lot of water. The purpose of the culvert is to collect that water and send it to the same location where it was going before.”
Cruz said Hancock Associates is “not anticipating a lot of water coming through in most storm events.”
“We moved some of the utility services just to stay out of the small pond,” said Cruz. “They will run under the driveway.”
Cruz said an additional fire hydrant was incorporated into the plans as well.
In response to a question from Planning Board member Charlie Wills, Cruz said the pond is “not a detention pond.”
“It’s just a way to collect water from off-site,” said Cruz.
Linden Engineering Partner Bill Jones, who is the Planning Board’s consultant for the project, reviewed the plans as part of a peer review.
“Essentially at this point, our comments have been mostly satisfied,” said Jones. “There are some remaining items. Maybe two or three could be plan changes, but they also could be conditions.”
Jones said the only proposed waiver his firm disagrees with pertains to the Cape Cod berm.
“I don’t have a problem with the Cape Cod berm, but they didn’t put it along the whole roadway,” said Jones. “It’s not expensive to do, particularly because they are doing about 60 percent of the roadway. It just makes sense to put the Cape Cod berm on both sides because it will preserve the roadway.”
Richter said most shared driveways don’t have berms.
“The berm was added to the driveway to help facilitate stormwater management,” said Richter.
Jones said the Planning Board will need to determine whether to sign off on a proposed street sign waiver.
Planning Board member Katherine Flaws noted one of the proposed homes would be far back from Salem Street.
“Is it possible this could be a safety issue if that has a Salem Street address,” Flaws inquired. “Wouldn’t that be really hard for an ambulance to find? Is there a reason there is a request for a Salem Street address? Why not just name a private road?”
Richter said the purpose of the waivers is to ensure the 300-foot shared driveway is constructed as part of the project instead of a traditional road. He said the assessors and U.S. Post Office are willing to give the homes Salem Street addresses.
“The intent is for this driveway to stay private,” said Richter. “We are looking for a shared driveway to make this more palpable to a developer.”
Richter also said the Fire Department did not object to the location of the rear house included on the plans.
Wills noted a number of areas of town have private driveways.
Patrice Lane Pat Campbell suggested the Planning Board name the street and label it as a private way.
Richter said he’s concerned naming the driveway will lead to future homeowners demanding services from the DPW, which he said would not be possible because it will be a private road.
After further discussion, the Planning Board voted to continue the public hearing.
