December 11, 2024 Planning Board Special Meeting Minutes - WEHI

variances that are being applied. While it is characterized as a good use by Mr. Haizel, he doesn’t think it is a good use in the sense of the existing neighborhood, on vehicle traffic, and on public safety particularly crossing Main Street. Mr. Guarino said development is always good, especially for Main Street, that fits the neighborhood, fits the people, and makes a contribution to the character and makeup of the neighborhood. It is a beautiful building and a lot of effort was put in to it. However, Mr. Guarino states it is very overwhelming for the neighborhood. It’s an important thing to listen to developers, look at plans, and analyze things but also, it’s important to think about the residents and the neighbors and think how would you feel if you were in their position and look at this project. To Mr. Guarino it doesn’t fit the neighborhood. Mr. Alper said there are a good number of things he likes about the project, especially the mixed-use element, even though he agrees 900 square feet is not a lot but he thinks it’s important that they have more mixed uses downtown. He also appreciates the addition of the green garden. However, he has some concerns. One of them being parking, even though Mr. Maltz has provided his testimony on visiting the area, Mr. Alper doesn’t agree with all of his conclusions. He would anticipate anyone visiting the retail space, deliveries, residents, and residents’ guest, would be trying to find a spot on the loop before they go somewhere else generating another trip around the block. As a result, it would be more than 5 trips an hour. He thinks resident parking places that would only be for Park Drive residents is a good idea; if they can get that set up properly in combination with the offsite off-street parking, that can help but it won’t resolve any other issues. Additionally, the setback that concerns him is the one on Park Drive North, 5 feet rather than the required 25 feet. Along with the safety issues that have come up, the neighboring houses are setback with front yards with landscaping and gardens and the building seems to be out of character with the rest of neighborhood. The 5-foot strip of grass and shrubs doesn’t do it enough while a smaller structure would allow for that additional setback. Lastly, the lot coverage number is 82% vs 60% permitted vs 30% for the former building; it’s twice the old coverage and

do it enough while a smaller structure would allow for that additional setback. Lastly, the lot coverage number is 82% vs 60% permitted vs 30% for the former building; it’s twice the old coverage and 37% more than allowed by the ordinance. The building coverage looking at 73% as designed vs 40% permitted vs 15% for the old building, that’s almost 5 times more than the old building and 85% more than allowed. He wonders if the project does provide adequate light, air, and open space when it’s occupying that much more space than what used to be there; to Mr. Alper it doesn’t. He thinks the size of the building, the parking, the lot coverage and building coverage remain a problem. Mr. Wilkes said the setback is an issue as well as the parking and the neighbors are not necessarily seeming to be very welcoming right now. They are their neighbors as well, they’re from the town, and they are paying taxes and they have valid concerns. A lot of things have already been repeated by his colleagues. Mr. Cardoza listed some of the residents’ concerns such as shadow, light, and traffic studies not being completed. In keeping with the standard practice for a development of this size, the Park Drive loop is a narrow road, there’s limited parking and residents already have a tough time with that and he wouldn’t make light out of that. There has been mention of potential difficulties during construction but that would remain the same regardless of whatever construction project there can potentially be in the future. There was a lot of mention about the architectural not keeping in character with the area. The proposed size is overwhelming and it does have a different look, but the aesthetics are subjective. He doesn’t have an issue with the aesthetics outside its size. Whether or not