By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — As the Zoning Board of Appeals approaches the Sept. 11 decision deadline for a proposed 100-unit 40B affordable housing project on Nahant Street, board members and neighbors continue to voice concern over the impact that the large project would have on the neighborhood.
At a continued hearing on last Wednesday, ZBA Chairman Tom Lucey said that he had just received the Traffic Advisory Committee’s memorandum on the project that morning. Since no one from the TAC was available to attend last week’s meeting, Lucey said that he was calling a special ZBA meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 3 to discuss traffic as it relates to the proposed 40B project centered around the former Precision Honing Company site at 127 Nahant Street.
Lucey said that since the developer, represented by Peabody attorney Jason Panos, has been unwilling to extend the ZBA’s time to render a decision, the special meeting on Sept. 3 was necessary for the board to discuss and respond to the TAC’s traffic analysis.
That left lighting and drainage on the proposed site as the only items of discussion at last week’s hearing. Panos asked architect Stefano Basso to discuss the lighting plan for the site.
Basso said that there would be a mix of pole lights and fixtures mounted on the building. He said that all lighting would be downward directed and would be “DarkSky” compliant.” He displayed a plan showing the pole lights that would ring the driveway that encircles the site. Wall lights would illuminate the garage entries and outdoor lawn area, he said.
Basso told the board that the goal was to achieve safety without over-lighting.
ZBA member David Hatfield wanted to know how tall the light poles would be.
Basso said that he thought the height was 18 feet, but would need to check. ZBA member Chip Tarbell said that in residential areas, the board likes to see a maximum height of 15 feet for light poles.
Board member Kasumi Humphries asked if any of the wall mounted fixtures would be decorative. Basso showed images of a basic type of light fixture, which Humphries thought was too plain.
There was concern about the pole lights along the edge of the site being on all night and shining into neighboring properties.
Hatfield recalled a previous project where shields were installed on the backs of the fixtures to limit light spill. Basso said that he would investigate that.
Panos asked civil engineer Scott Cameron to discuss drainage on the site.
A full response to written comments received from Town Engineer Bill Renault is expected at the Sept. 3 special meeting. In the meantime, Cameron talked about water flow on the site and noted that the project plans include a small detention system on the property.
Lucey noted that, since the developer has been unwilling to extend beyond Sept. 11 the board’s time to render a decision, everything will have to be wrapped up at the special meeting on Sept. 3.
When the hearing was opened to the public, Paula Gardella of Wilson Road was the first to speak.
“This is a residential neighborhood, not an industrial park,” she said. “This building does not belong.” She added that she was extremely concerned about light spillage.
Bronwyn Della-Volpe predicted that there would be light spillage, adding that more specifics were needed on the hue and intensity of the proposed lighting.
Victoria Turner of Wilson Road noted that once again, residents and the board were hearing an incomplete presentation. She wondered how ZBA could be forced into rendering a decision when the development team “shows up unprepared every time.”
Lucey said that the board shared Turner’s frustration.
“We wanted to see more and have asked for more,” he said.
Carl Jaena of Hart Street wanted to know what the site would look like when all the lights are on. He also wanted to know why the developer has never attended any of the ZBA hearings.
Lucey said that the board has asked repeatedly for the developer to attend a meeting, but it has never happened.
Joe Melton from Stark Avenue was concerned about headlight spillage into the neighborhood from vehicles entering and driving through the property. Lucey said that type of light spillage was not generally addressed in project plans. Hatfield said that a proposed 6-foot fence around the property should offer some protection from headlights.
Melton was also concerned about flooding from the site. Cameron said that a proposed storm water management system was designed to protect against flooding issues.
Lucey added that the town engineer would closely review the proposal to ensure that there is no upstream flooding.
Julie Scott of Central Street returned to the subject of lighting, saying that she was concerned that the site “will be lit up like a shopping center.”
Joe Conway of Wilson Road asked about a proposed 15 to 18-foot light pole at the corner of the site that abuts his property.
“My yard could light up like Fenway Park,” he said.
He also questioned the developer’s ability to install sufficient drainage controls without blasting.
Lucey said that the board would ask these questions and hopefully get answers at the Sept. 3 special meeting when the town’s engineering and traffic experts will be in attendance.
