By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — Traffic and parking were the expected topics for last night’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, but because the Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) needs more time to study the traffic impact of the proposed Brightview Senior Living facility, those topics were deferred to a future meeting.
The ZBA elected to wait for the TAC’s recommendations before having its own discussion of the traffic and parking issues surrounding Shelter Development’s request to build a 130-unit Brightview facility on Crescent Street that will include a mix of assisted living and independent living units. The Appeals Board instead used last night to address other aspects of the project.
The ZBA had previously asked to see a rendering of the back of the proposed facility from the perspective of the parking lot behind the Co-operative Bank. Architect Eric Anderson presented such a rendering last night, explaining that the brickwork and other style elements were meant to mirror The Savings Bank building and the Lincoln School Building.
Anderson said that other features, such as balconies, were intended to give the building more of a residential feel. Anderson also pointed out trees and other plantings proposed along the perimeter of this side of the building.
There was a discussion of how the parking garage, which is partially underground, will be ventilated. Anderson said that he would engage a mechanical engineer to nail down the specifics regarding exhaust fans and vents in the garage area and report back to the board.
The board had also asked to see renderings showing that rooftop mechanical units would not be visible from various vantage points. Anderson presented drawings showing views from the library steps and from the Lincoln School and explained how he had relocated certain rooftop units to make them less visible from those locations.
The board asked about other rooftop structures, such as plumbing vents and asked Anderson to think about what else on the roof might need to be screened from view.
Anderson said that individual units would have their own heating and air conditioning units, which led the board to point out that vents for those units should be shown on the plans and renderings.
Anderson also presented three possible designs for a free-standing sign in the front of the building. Board members said that they would like to see something with a brick base and possibly a planter. Anderson took the signage suggestions under advisement and promised to come back with updated renderings.
Traffic Engineer Jason Plourde gave a brief overview of the methodology that he used in the studies that he presented to the Traffic Advisory Committee in December. The board decided that it would not make sense to have a detailed discussion of traffic and parking until they receive the TAC’s report. Members concluded that a special meeting for that purpose will likely take place in February in order to give the TAC time to complete its work.
When the hearing was opened up to the public, Water Street resident Robert McLaughlin asked if any current Brightview facilities had wireless antennas or solar panels on their roofs. Shelter’s Director of Development Michael Glynn answered “no” to both.
Bronwyn Della-Volpe of Cyrus Street asked about the ability of a fire engine to get down the alley between the Brightview facility and the Unitarian Universalist Church. Board members said that it was an issue for the Fire Chief.
In response to a question from Andrea Sullivan of Crescent Street, Glynn said that there would be a total of 100 employees at the Brightview facility and a maximum of 36 on any shift.
Things got a bit heated after Patrick Bruno of Mackenzie Lane asked how many employees there were at Brightview’s North Andover facility.
Glynn said he didn’t know. Brightview attorney Brian McGrail said, “We’re not here to talk about North Andover.”
Bruno pressed the board for an answer to his question but Chairman David Hatfield said that the board was not interested in the number of employees at the North Andover facility.
“The public is interested in how many employees there are in North Andover,” Bruno insisted.
But another member of the public disagreed.
“I’m not interested and I pay taxes,” a resident called out from the row behind Bruno. “I live in Wakefield, not Andover.”
After Hatfield restored order, board members wanted to know what relevance the number of employees at Brightview’s North Andover facility had to Wakefield.
Bruno said that the relevance had to do with how many employees would be parking at the Wakefield facility.
McGrail re-iterated that Brightview had committed to a maximum of 36 employees per shift in Wakefield.
Glynn offered to meet with Bruno and review Brightview’s employment structures.
Attorney Alan Grenier, who represents Andrea Sullivan, asked if there had been a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) filing with respect to the proposed project.
McGrail responded that MEPA filings were a state function and not a matter for the ZBA. He said that the applicant had not filed.
The board continued the hearing to its Jan. 28 meeting, when the topics are expected to include lighting and signage.
