Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Excuse me, we'll be starting up shortly. I'd like to welcome everyone to the 05/18/2026 City of Lowell Planning Board meeting. Just a quick announcement, members of the public may view the meeting via ltc.org or local cable channel six. With that, the first order of business on the agenda is the acceptance of the minutes of April, I'm sorry, of May 4. Everybody have a chance to review the

minutes? Yep.

Any comments, revisions? Nope. If not, entertain a motion.

Make a motion to approve the minutes for 05/04/2026 meeting.

Do I have a second? I second that. Thank you. All in favor? Aye. Any against? Chair votes yes. Thank you. First item on the agenda is a Second item on the agenda is an item that was continued. This is for a site plan review and special permit at 297 University Ave.

Kasangen Enterprise Inc. Has applied to the Lowell Planning Board and the Lowell Zoning Board of Appeals for a site plan review, special permit, and variance approval to convert an existing eight bay garage into four townhouse residential units. The property is located in a traditional two family TTF zoning district. The application requires site plan review approval under section eleven point four point two point two to construct a development with more than three dwelling units and a special permit pursuant to section 4.5.21 and section 11.3.1 for the change of non conforming use. The project also requires variance approval under section 5.1 for relief from the maximum number of stories, minimum usable open space per dwelling unit, and for any other relief required under the lower zoning ordinance.

May I hear from the applicant, please?

Thank you, mister chairman. Good evening to all. For the record, my name is John Geary of Geary and Geary LLP, 32 Church Street, Lowell, Mass. I'm here tonight representing the applicant and owner of 297 University Ave, Kissangian Enterprise Inc. With us tonight, we have Dave Gray from Kissangian and we have Matt Hammer from Landplex.

As the Vice Chair mentioned here, we are requesting a special permit this evening pursuant to 4.5.2 of the city zoning ordinance related to the redevelopment of 297 University Ave from its current use as that of eight commercial garage bays to four residential townhouse style units. The property consists of 11,778 square feet of land. It's located within the traditional two family zoning district. The project review comments indicate that the lot size is 9,690 square feet, but there are two lots here. There's 297 University Ave which consists of 9,690 sq.

Feet and there's 297.1 University Ave which consists of 2,090 sq. Feet of land. So together that's about 11,700 square feet. As we indicated, the redevelopment of the proposal is to change the use from the eight commercial bays to that of four residential units. We can do that pursuant to 4.5.2 if the change of one conforming use to another is less detrimental to the neighborhood.

We believe that we meet that criteria. We are replacing eight commercial garage bays that are used for rental storage, other commercial purposes which do not align with the character of the neighborhood to four residential units which do align with the character of the neighborhood. The additional four the addition of four residential units also align with the Go Forward Plan. They will provide opportunities for home ownership at reasonable prices and the project is less impactful to the neighborhood from a traffic perspective as well. We have received and reviewed the staff comments.

The comments are supportive of the proposal. Comment four d, for example, indicates that the proposed conversion of the property from a residential to from a commercial use to a residential use is more in character with the neighborhood. The economic development team also supports the conversion and points out that the addition of the four units helps align with the City of Louisville forward plan by increasing the housing opportunities within the city. We've reviewed the engineering comments. We've been in discussions with the engineering department.

We have no concern being able to meet any of their concerns. The transportation engineer for the city seems to has weighed in on the project and seems to prefer the proposed use to the existing use because we are eliminating vehicles backing out onto University Avenue and we are also replacing a very, very wide nonconforming curb cut to a compliant curb cut. In terms of other permitting, we were before the ZBA on May 11 for variances for a maximum number of stories, light area per dwelling unit, and usable open space per dwelling unit. The proposal the redevelopment proposal was well received by the ZBA members, and we received unanimous approval of the requested relief that evening with two conditions. One of the conditions is that we obtained plan approval from the engineering department.

Again, we have no concern being able to do that. And the second condition was that we obtain approval from DPT relative to screening along the northerly borderline, the back lot line. At that ZBA meeting, we heard from two or three neighbors who are here tonight. I'll let the neighbors speak for themselves, but based on what I heard, the concern seemed to be screening and safety. So to that end, we are proposing a erecting a six foot high white vinyl fence along the entire Northerly borderline, the back property line.

We also there's also an existing chain link fence fence along the Westerly property line, which is in very good condition. So we're proposing to maintain that fence, keep it in place. There's no reason to replace it. It's in very good condition. So we'll you know, we'll see what comes of this meeting tonight. We'll revise the site plan and if approved we'll submit our screening proposals to the DPD for approval consistent with any decisions. So with that, I'll turn the presentation over to Matt so he can review the plans.

Good evening. I have a cold tonight, so excuse my voice. So existing is an 11,778 square foot lot with an existing eight car eight garage bay storage facility which is located here with a continuous curb cut. The proposal is to put an entrance drive here to come around to the rear of the four units. Each unit will have a parking space within each unit and outside of each unit.

And there's ample room for each unit to back out onto University Avenue. There'll be a walkway servicing each unit. Additionally, the site will also have subsurface drainage to handle all the impervious square footage on the property, and those calculations are provided on the plan as well.

This is a view as you're on University Avenue

of the front of the four units. This is a perspective view looking at the units here. This is a view of the units in the rear with the garage bay underneath. These are four elevations: the front, the rear, the right side, and the left side. And these are the floor plans.

Garage, there's a storage area down below. Entrance foyer is in the rear. And then this is the 1st Floor with living, kitchen area in the dining room, and then bedrooms on the 2nd Floor. And I can turn it back to Attorney Geary.

Thank you, Matt. So Mr. Vice Chair, we believe that the proposal is a well thought out redevelopment of the property. The use is not is certainly less detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing use. We are providing additional housing units within the city.

The property will align more with the character of the neighborhood. And we are eliminating a backing out of vehicles onto University Ave in that very large curb cut. In addition to all that, we're working with a developer that has a track record in the city going back decades. He's a very, very well respected developer. He gets very well respected by the departments in the in the city, particularly the building department, and that's because of the quality of work that he does. Certainly not a criteria for the special permit, but something worth considering. So with that, mister vice chair, that's all we have. I'll throw it back to the, to you and happy to answer any questions or address any concerns.

Great. Thank you. Thank you, counselor. With that, if you do not have anyone else making a presentation on behalf of the applicant, I will open up to the public.

Yeah, nobody else.

Alright, thank you. Is there anyone here speaking in favor of the application? In favor? In favor? Thank you. Is there anyone here speaking in opposition of the application? In opposition? In opposition? If none, that portion is closed as well. I will turn it over to the Board. Board have any comments, questions?

If I why don't you mind if I start? Thank you for the presentation. I particularly take note of the improvement in vehicle circulation. I think I agree with the traffic engineers that this is a much improvement to the continuous curb cut that is around the length of the property. I think you address many the staff comment.

Just want to verify also the particularly the comment about the sidewalk. Now I see there are some details on the sidewalk like so can you describe a little bit of what what was agreed with the PPD?

So essentially, there's a sidewalk, but there's no defined curb cut. Mhmm. So a curb cut will now be defined here as well as the replacement of the curbing that currently is not there now because it's a full curb cut. Does that make sense?

Yes. And I see there will be a granite curb, correct?

Correct.

Okay. Well, thank you. Another thing I don't see on the site plan is like where will you put the snow?

Snow storage is along the side here.

Okay.

And along the rear, along the side here, and in this side here. I should have also noted that there's some landscaping shown here, which are three shade trees as

well. Okay.

And there'll also be general landscaping around the site

I see.

In terms of shrubs and and and those type of items.

For the trees, now I noticed when I'm visiting, there there are some big trees in the back. So can you talk about where they are and also arrangement for the new plantings?

The the new plantings are are located here, here, here, and in this back corner.

Okay.

There's a wall back here now and a full garage workshop here.

Yep.

And then along this right edge is a full building here.

I see.

Shown. And then on this side, there's a building shown here with a full fencing.

But the big trees will be gone. Right? Correct.

Any tree on the site will be removed.

Okay.

How are we doing on on the stormwater side?

Stormwater, we're putting in a full infiltration system.

Okay. Yep. And is the roof drainage gonna tie in?

Correct. Yep.

And how about pavement? Is this regular

Bituminous pavement.

Pavement. And then would they drain toward just just to the side? Or

Correct.

Okay.

Yep.

And and are you good with the Stonewall Department? Yes. Okay. I I also want to well, since the neighbor did not not speak, what's the discussion regarding the vinyl fence? Know you said that there is a wall right now.

I'll leave that up to Turnagiri.

Sure. So mister Parquette was concerned that, you know, that his initial concern was that somebody might drive into his wall and damage his workshop. I don't think that's, much of a realistic possibility, but, you know, in terms of privacy, we thought that a six foot high white vinyl fence would not only look attractive, but it would protect against anybody, you know, accessing his, you know, his garage or or workshop.

I see. So is the fence going to set back slightly into the lot?

Is it going to what?

Set back slightly into the

Yeah. It will set back. So the, you know, one of Mr. Paquette's concerns or questions was can we set it back a little bit so he can get access back there and we can accommodate that.

Okay, great. Well, thank you. And did the neighbor on the western side talk a little anything about the chaining fans and

The neighbor was concerned about safety based on my previous conversations. And as I said, that fence, that chain link fence is in, good condition. I there's no reason to to replace it. It's solid. It's it's, you know, it provides Okay. A barrier. Understand. And in terms of what I didn't mention, in terms of trash and and recycling, they'll be by bin that pulled out to the front of the property. Okay.

And then I noticed there's a door in the in the first level so they can just

Right.

Put it on either side. Right? Drive in garage. I see. Could you say a little bit about lighting?

Lighting, they'll just be a service light for each one of the the front entrance ways.

Okay.

And then on the rear, there'll be a downward facing motion sensitive light.

Okay. And there won't be any light on the side of the driveway or anything? Okay. Yes. Thank you. And then I think it's just an open Jerry Poi, you wanna say it? I appreciate there's windows on the side of the building, on the end side of the building. So I'll pass it on to other members. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Attorney Tenzo?

Thank you, mister vice chair. I'm trying to turn over a new leaf, what I like and what I don't like. What I like is is and I'll let the vice chair speak to more of it probably. I like the look of this. This isn't like one giant billboard. This is it's broken up architecturally. I think it will fit in well with the neighborhood. So I I really liked it. I also want to thank mister Hammer and attorney Gary for a full size map. Little pet peeve, getting maps this big is not gonna work in the future.

I will absolutely vote against projects where I get this because I can't see it. So I do appreciate that, getting this full size plan. Caleb spoke to snow storage. We didn't touch upon trash removal. Attorney Gary, what what's what's

the Yeah. I mentioned to member Chang that it will be by bin trash and recycling that will be located in the garage and carried out to the front of to University Ave on trash pickup.

Okay. What's the thoughts on these these units? Are they gonna be for sale? Are they

gonna Yes. They're gonna be condominiumized and for sale. Cool.

Okay. We talked about the sidewalk. I know Mr. Hammer mentioned that there were going to be trees and shrubs, but I didn't see any on this plan. So, I'm assuming that we'll get a plan that has that.

Yes. There's four trees shown on the plan. I'll point them out to you.

That would be great.

One is located right here.

What's described?

What does say? Essentially, they're two inch diameter shade trees. We work with the Department of Planning and Development in terms of the variety that they may choose the time of the plantings. So there's one here. There's one here.

I gotta see that. I can't see it.

I come over.

Yeah. I'm gonna I mean

This will be helpful. The public will be able to see

it Yeah.

If you're pointing at it.

Oh, so I'm here. Oh, it's not on the plan that you given us.

Oh, okay. Sorry.

So yeah. No worries. As long as

I apologize about that.

Yeah. And look. I I couldn't see it. I'm like, there's something wrong with me.

Yeah. No. There's four. What? Ear, year, year, and year.

Okay. Alright. Cool. And it's Bergen. They also mentioned, mister Geary, that any disturbance in the roadway will require full width milling and paving curb to curb?

We've had some discussions, with the engineering department. We don't think that's going to be necessary, but one of the conditions of the ZBA was approval that we get plan approval from the engineering department. So we'd like to leave it at that and we will work with the engineering department on what's necessary there.

Yeah. I do hear that, but I can tell you from my neighborhood, National Grid came up, just ripped up, and they patched everything. Great. Yeah. You have patches. Do think it makes a lot of sense moving forward for projects to have that full width paving and milling because it creates a lot less potholes, less problems down the road, for the city. So, I think that's important, mister Geary. I do hear what you're saying. I I I understand. You know, look. It's it's a cost.

It's a significant cost.

Yeah. Absolutely. But I do think it makes sense, in this project because it's the project's gorgeous. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Miss Walker?

I like the project. I think it's a vast improvement on what's there now. I also think that the renderings fit in well with the character of the street. But I did have a question. Have you been in touch with the LFD, Lowell Fire Department?

The fire department, they they weighed in or they did not. In this case

There was no comments.

Right. So that is typically an indication that of no concern.

Okay. Okay. So there's been no swept path?

Right. No. And, you know, it wouldn't necessarily be appropriate for a development of this size. They have the they can

They can go in there.

Certainly pull in and pull into the rear, and they have access to three sides of the building.

Okay. Okay. All of my other questions have been addressed.

Thank you. Mr. Sa? Attorney Gai, in terms

of the fence, is the chain link fence, is that the neighbor would like to keep that or want you to put a better giving the structure that you just put on the in the community itself? I think it's kind of an eyeball, you know, in term of

like Yeah. So we checked out the, you know, the development team checked out the fence. It's in very good condition. The thought process was, and it's we believe it's offense. The thought process was to leave it intact. It's a, you know, it's a pretty good barrier between the two lots.

I I you know, I mean, I I I would, you know, would if if I I'm the neighbor to this, you know, place, I I would like to see something better putting up, you know, I I don't I think it's a chain fence that's kind of interfere with, you know, you're getting out of your house, you see this whole new structure and a lot of people. You know, you you got more people living there.

Right. It's a four unit development. It's gonna be a very, you know, very attractive looking development as the the rendering shows. So it's it's not it's not unappealing for sure, but I understand what you're saying. Four units there when right now you see a low rise garage. But again, the fence that exists is in good shape. It's a pretty solid barrier for safety purposes. So the thought was we'll keep it we'll keep it.

I you know, I mean, are your neighbor? Yes. Yeah. Would would would you like to see some changes to the But, I mean, you know, if if the neighbors kind of, you know, it's

Yeah. And we did have discussions with the neighbor. We we talked about the white vinyl fence.

Okay.

Went out to the property, checked the condition of the existing fence, which again was in very good purposes, but for safety purposes. So the thought again was to

So how landscaping plan with this? So mister Hammer, can you go over again? Because

was that you folks are looking to comply with the storm water, transportation, wastewater, water, all of those comments, all of those conditions. And a lot of them were the same conditions from

That's right.

The last time. Well, they look similar. I do like this. I remember seeing the site plan, Jerry, Mr. Vice Chair. I looked on the site, on the World Planning Board site, couldn't find the site plan. What I came up with was the only plan that I could find was the architectural plan, which maybe you could speak to, but I didn't see how the landscaping may change.

Less than light.

What's that?

To your point, that's all it was on.

Oh, it was. Okay. I thought it was missing something. Thought it was But me with I guess my question would be is what do we have for is there any difference in the landscaping? You were talking to it. If you could bring that up.

Yes. I unfortunately do not have the landscape plan with me. However, all of the landscaping and it was pretty significant request around the perimeter. I know we have a lot of evergreens on the backside of the project site, quite a bit of street trees on this side and, it was significantly planted out. None of that has changed. So it's really just this area. What we had before was just a small amount of landscape here and here around the drive through. And now we have an opportunity for a lot more landscaping which was in included and submitted to the city. So I I don't know why you didn't get Okay. A full set of site plans.

I would say it's obviously a more generous landscape plan than was previously permitted.

Okay. Can you speak to what it might include?

No.

You know? Alright.

I'm afraid I'm not a landscape architect. I

didn't see

it, so I can't speak

to it either.

So, thank you.

Typically, it's native plantings, in areas where there's there's you know, where there's narrow bands tend to be grasses and small shrubs. I'm sure that's what's here and in in in usually along the perimeter, there's some there I'm sure there are some trees on there as well. Mhmm. We can certainly provide that that plan to you.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, mister vice chair.

Thank you. Thank you, attorney Tenza. We'll see you.

I don't have any questions, mister vice chair. I, I was here for the last approval on this project, and I think there's been a lot of thought that's gone into it. And I think this is a small change and to decrease impervious area or increase pervious area is a good thing. That's all I have.

Thank you. I agree with Member Tensou that I think traffic wise will be improvement. Mean, it's like people are going in and out to drive through and three parallel restaurants or cereal restaurants seems busy. So, however it turned out this I think this is a will be an improvement. And I wonder if you reiterate that the planning board would prefer to have landscaping plan for site plan review. Thank you.

So, I weigh in?

Sure. We

did. We submitted a full set of plans that included existing conditions, drainage report, landscape plan, revisions, and I believe that Mary just pulled them up on website.

Yeah, couldn't pull I couldn't pull it up on planning board website. I think other members had had the same difficulties.

Got this far if we didn't submit them.

I I don't doubt that you did.

I I So you just can't ask?

Your word for it. I just didn't see them.

Okay.

Yeah. And it's just odd that, I mean, I couldn't couldn't find them either.

Yeah. I couldn't find them.

Go ahead.

Yeah. I I think appreciate if if you when you're preparing for the presentation that you remember we we do care quite a lot about landscaping.

Yeah. It a separate gist to click on and it was the set of plans or was it within a large packet? Do we know?

We see it was several attachments.

Okay.

So So mister mister vice chair, what I saw was an architectural plan.

That's what I was able to open up. And and that was actually submitted after the fact. That was submitted after my application. Okay. So, like, maybe a week and a half ago. Okay. Okay.

But that's what I saw. Yeah. That's odd. Yeah. Well, look. Things happen. You know?

So I don't, I can't explain. Yeah. They appear to be

So I mean if you go on the planning board under, projects under review, there's the address and it says high plan review. And if you click on that, it should take you to the full application, package, which is everything I emailed to the board.

Was it oh, oh, oh, oh, wait a minute. That's why I was asking if it was part of the full package here.

Wait a minute now.

Can I take it?

I posted that back in April.

It's gonna hold on.

Now this is this is from Vanessa. Yeah. This is from Vanessa Associates. Okay. It would have been helpful to have a set of those plans here this evening, Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry. Mister Saar, I'm sorry I'm sorry for the interruption.

No. That's I I'm not gonna I I don't have any questions. Okay.

With so from from my perspective, I remember there was a robust landscaping plan for the site, which we're pleased with. Just would have liked to have seen the changes, right? So I recognize the opportunity for additional landscaping within the site. I have to think if it was a a drive through Starbucks versus through retail ultimately, what happens with these small kind of little strip mall type of thing is they'll the businesses will put themselves out of it won't be lucrative for them to be then there if they're going to be a high traffic generator and there's no places for people to park at the end of the day. They're going to have they won't be able to succeed there because they just won't be able to accommodate the business.

And again, I appreciate the fact that we're going to have less impervious surface. Oddly enough, it does right on the surface, wouldn't think so when you first look at it. And you're looking at that roof and you're saying, Oh my God. But at the end of the day, it actually does decrease. So I think that's a plus on that.

I really do wish we had the landscaping. What I find sometimes, counsel, if it's part of a larger packet and not just a site plan, if it's part of the larger packet, sometimes we print some of the pages and may not have printed Right. It

The site plan, so including the existing conditions, landscape plan Yeah. Okay. All that was that was, you know, maybe 10 pages. That was one

Yeah. One. Okay.

That would be great if you could, Mary. That would be very fantastic, actually.

Here we go. Oh, great.

To your point, attorney Geary, it looks like there is a package here and we we take you at your representation. You you submitted it. It's just we didn't see it.

Well, it's just odd that several of us weren't able to get

out of agreement. Me, but there are others that that didn't see it as well.

Okay. Okay.

Thank you, Mary.

That looks like the landscape plan.

Okay.

Yeah. No. That is now are those larger trees that will be towards the rear of that, those three, The new building that we're

looking They're typically depicted, more or less like a mature tree canopy would Yep. The three trees in the back are larger trees.

Okay.

And then there is one that's fairly large at the corner.

You see that? Yep. Nice.

And then three more that run along that. What would be the, you know, Eaton Street Drive? It's not really Eaton Street through there, but functions as such. There's three trees there and a lot of small plantings, you know, along the building and near the dumpster pad.

I mean, when you think of what that site looks like right now, what that's going to that's going to improve

that. Significant.

Tremendous, dramatic. Gosh, yeah.

I mean, it's almost 100% impervious today. Yeah. And by the way, parking lot grades towards the VFW building flows behind it, goes over a wall and runs on the private property. And we took care to take all of that out and introduce a very large infiltration system happened to have good soils and deep enough groundwater to support that. So we really took away what I think it was probably a problem running that much impervious surface to a private property.

So this is obviously the increase in landscaping is significant for a lot of reasons. As you know, the trees and heat island effect and air quality and this just innumerable reasons why trees are valuable and we've introduced quite a few on this site.

And that's part of matter of fact, that's part of we try to accomplish this to reduce the heat island effect, especially within the city city limits in a in a project like this. So so this is perfect. Thank you. And, again, apologies. No. So we again, several of us could not find it for some reason. Thank you, Mary. That was that was extremely helpful. With that, any more comments at all?

Nothing from us,

Vice Chairman. Anyone from the board?

All set. If not, I entertain a motion for the site plan approval.

Vice Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the site plan. Release the site plan amendment, right?

It's a revision of the Yes, site plan,

revision. And I think I cannot think of any outstanding things and the conditions.

Well, think we would incorporate from the memo of May 11, the I think they actually even provided some kind of scripted Conditions. Conditions here. I would I would Alright. Read entertain those, and then I would incorporate everything from the transportation engineer.

So

I'll read it out the conditions. Condition one, applicant will comply with all engineering requirements from the common manual dated 05/11/2026. Condition number two, applicant to provide update plans to show fire service entering buildings updated plans to be approved by the low regional water utility. And condition three, applicant to obtain storm water permit that includes operation and manage maintenance for oil and grease interceptor from the low regional water wastewater utilities. And I will include the transportation comments.

So that will make the FOF conditions.

Yeah. We just incorporate all.

Yeah. Incorporate the the comments from the transportation engineer city's transportation engineer.

Right. So if I could just interrupt for a moment. You know, with regard to so condition number one, I think that is referring to the traffic memo dated May 11. But however you want to incorporate that, we're, you know, we're 100% committed to implementing those changes.

So that might be the same as the The transportation, transportation. Think it is.

Yes. The recovery covers.

And then condition number two, we don't believe that fire service is required into these And condition number three, we are certainly going to obtain the stormwater permit with the O and M, but we have a different version of the grease separator that that Chris spoke to. So

was there, I guess, going back to this memo then. And, counsel, we may I may have missed it. Had there been conversations then with stormwater department and the water department relative to their comments?

No. There have not been we've not connected. But we checked with I had the developer check with the architect, and the architect according to national codes and the mass building code, fire service is not required in these buildings. And Chris spoke more intelligently than I can about the grease separator.

Well, that's really interesting when we have have staff memo indicating that these are recommended conditions.

Yeah. Which weren't on the first two go rounds. You know, we're happy to condition, you know, approval for this. You know, obviously, we need a storm water permit.

Right.

We're going to, you know, condition the transportation engineer comments.

Right.

You know, we can condition approval from the, you know, regional water utility for service to the building and, you know, we can work that out with the engineers.

And so that that recommended condition number two regarding the applicant to provide updated plans to show fire service entering building, update plans to approve by the city regional waste water utility is what you're saying, counsel, just so I understand, is that you disagree with what their or your engineers are disagreeing

with what they're saying?

They're suggesting we need fire service to the buildings. We disagree with that. We would be agreeable to a condition that says updated plans to be approved by the Lowell Regional Water Utility.

Sure. And that way, it it's it covers what is agreed upon.

If we Mhmm.

They prove that it's required, we'll we'll supply it.

Mary, do have the the wording on that for the condition?

I can restate it. Applicant to provide up to updated plans to for approval by by the low regional water. So we will skip over the Yeah. The fire service entering building details.

And if, therefore, they determine it needs to be that way, then

Right. And I Chris informs me that that's part of the building permit application process. So Yeah. We'll go through that. Okay. And then maybe for condition number three, applicant to obtain, you know, stormwater permit that includes O and M, you know, the typical stormwater permit.

Right. Right.

Yeah. Call those non condition conditions because you have to do it anyway. Yeah. So

Yeah. So, think for the firm, Mary will I will amend it to obtain some water permit from NRWW.

Okay.

In this case, don't have to approve the landscaping plan because what we approved the project, that's what the plan was submitted, so we did view it here this evening. So that was that was helpful. Mary, that was huge that we're able to bring that up. So thank you. All right. With that

Member Chang, should we add to that the storm water comments, the transportation comments, the wastewater comments, and the water comments they had mentioned that they were in agreement with for your motion.

I'm just afraid Are you

talking about slopes? Yeah. Oh, the water forget the last one, the water department. But the wastewater, the transportation, and the storm water.

Just that we have we have to scarf for it to make sure there's no conflicting conflicting information. Right?

Well, I think from the transportation

perspective is fine.

They yeah. They said, matter of fact. They're complying with what was initially

That's right.

In the approval and then I think she had expanded on some additional items here.

Right. And that's all acceptable.

Yep. So for the water and wastewater comments, I think they be they won't get approval if they don't address it. Got it. So I think

I think that covers

what have. I mean, department doesn't make any comments. No. I think they're they're good.

And again, DPD, when it's no comments, that means they they not that they didn't receive any concerns, my understanding. Yep.

Right. And one of the first times around, the fire department wanted to see that SWEP path analysis, which we provided, and I believe we provided again.

We did. Yep. I have act actually, this is a better configuration than the Starbucks that was in there for circulation as well. Great. With that, do I have a second? Second. Okay. All in favor?

Aye. Chairman

votes aye. No in opposition? Alright. Motion passes.

Thank you.

Next item on the agenda is the special permit application for 14 Gendok Street. The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons relative to an application by Three Bridge Development Inc. To split the existing lot and construct a new single family home at 14 Gendok Street. The subject property is located in the traditional single family TSF zoning district. The proposal requires special permit approval per section five point one point one seven of the Lowell zoning ordinance to reduce the required frontage. May we hear from the applicant, please?

Yes. Mister chairman, before I start, could I approach and

Yes. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, mister chairman. And again, for the record, John Geary, Geary and Geary LLP, 32 Church Street, Lowell, Mass. I'm here tonight representing the applicant, Three Bridge Development Inc. Three Bridge is also the owner of 14 John Dacht Street. With us tonight, we have Matt Lelasher and Brian Durkin, two of the principals of Three Bridge.

And of course, we have Matt Hammer from Landplex. Subject property currently consists of a single family cottage style residence located at 14 John Dock Street and situated on about 17,835 square feet of land in the traditional single family zoning district. John Dock Street is a dead end street containing approximately five properties. Excuse me. The subject property is on the Easterly side of John Dock Street and as I said contains a relatively small house with a bond like structure, both of which have gone through substantial renovations by by the developer.

We're here tonight requesting a special permit pursuant to five point one point one seven of the zoning ordinance in order to split the existing lot into two lots and reduce the frontage for for both lots. This section of the ordinance allows for frontage to be reduced by up to 15 feet. In this instance, we are proposing that the frontage be reduced for each lot by about eight feet. We're proposing frontage at 61.2 feet where 70 is required. If approved, the applicant is proposing to build a three bedroom, two bath home consisting of about 1,600 square feet of living space.

As we know, the TSF District requires that you have 70 feet of frontage, as I said, and 7,000 square feet of land area for each lot. In this case, Lot 1, we are proposing to have 7,414 square feet of land area and Lot 2, which Lot 1 is the proposed new home, Lot 2, the existing home is proposed to have 10,421 square feet of land area. The only other relief associated with this redevelopment is a request for a variance from the zoning board for maximum front yard setback. The property is set back further than the dimensional requirement of the front yard setback. So we'll be before the zoning board in a week or two requesting that relief.

Late last week, we supplemented the application materials with a neighborhood GIS exhibit plan. That exhibit plan gives the board a very good sampling of the frontage for the different properties throughout the neighborhood. And it demonstrates there's a significant amount of lots that have less than 70 feet of frontage in the neighborhood. So obviously, the intent of that exhibit plan is to demonstrate to the board that what we are proposing is consistent with and in character with the existing neighborhood. We've received the staff comments which are pretty straightforward and essentially just define the project.

But focusing on the engineering comments for a moment, there are a few proposed conditions there. But some of the work mentioned within these conditions has already been done. So the applicant has already trenched in and brought the water and sewer service for the proposed lot to the lot. That was done because the applicant was informed that John Dock Street was going to be repaved and as we know once the street is repaved in the city, there's a moratorium and you can't open it for seven years or so. So that was, you know, they did that in abundance of caution.

As I said, the city issued those permits and that essentially took care of conditions one and two with the exception of the driveway permit which would still need to be obtained. Applicant would have no issues with conditions three and four that are noted in the memo. In terms of the relevant criteria for issuance of special permit, you know, with regard to applications for the Go Forward Plan, the proposal is creating an additional housing unit within the city, which is one of the primary objectives of the Go Forward Housing Plan. The new home will be market rate, energy efficient home that will most definitely benefit the neighborhood. In addition, the applicant has rehabbed the existing done some substantial renovations to the existing home and the bond that's also located with the existing home.

I provided those before and after renderings that show a pretty stark contrast to what was there and what's here now. Again, it was a cottage style house in very, very rough condition, as was the bond for that matter. In terms of neighborhood character, considering that the lot area for both lots is in excess of the required 7,000 square feet and frontage that we're proposing is generally consistent with the neighborhood, you know, we believe that what we're proposing here will have a positive impact to the neighborhood. And it's the creation of this new lot, the construction of the new home on the lot will have no detrimental impact to the neighborhood. In terms of environmental impacts, post development, this property will be much better off than predevelopment.

And that's for a couple of reasons. When the applicant purchased this home, the existing home was tied to septic, probably one of the few homes in the city that is tied to septic system. So the applicant has, you know, tied the property into the municipal sewer system, which is a major benefit to the property and to the neighborhood considering that, you know, the condition of the home, I'm sure the I'm sure the septic system hadn't been pumped, hadn't been maintained, probably nonfunctional. So that's a dramatic improvement. In addition to that, we're proposing a recharge system for both properties.

So the, you know, the re there's currently nothing there in terms of recharge. So environmentally, the property is far better off post development than pre development. In terms of traffic access and safety, both lots will be accessed by a private driveway off of John Dock Street. Each lot will have sufficient off street parking. The access for fire and other first responders is more than sufficient.

And as we all know, there's really no traffic impacts to residential property on a dead end street. We believe that any other impacts to the city will be positive in nature. The additional lot, the construction of a new home on that lot will increase the real estate tax revenue substantially from this single parcel right now. When the property is built out, local contractors will be used to build out the property. There will be cost of permitting that will go revenue to the city. So we feel that all considered this is a positive impact to the neighborhood. So with that, I'll turn the presentation over to Matt and he can review the plans with the board.

So existing today is a single family dwelling here in this barn structure in the rear. There's a driveway configuration here, which partially encroached on the abutting lot, and we're going to be proposing to remove that and revegetate that driveway to form a new driveway here reduced in width to bring access to the front of the property to have two parking spaces. The new proposed asphalt will also be mitigated with drainage trench which is located here. This is the proposed dwelling here with a front porch entranceway extending to the rear with grading extending on either side of the dwelling. Additionally, there'll be a newly formed driveway to formalize the entrance way to this existing dwelling where this existing driveway is going to be removed to service this new home here.

That driveway will also be mitigated with infiltration drainage as well. And as Mr. Geary pointed out, the barn's been, renovated, and then there'll be a walkway here from the end of the driveway. This is a front view of the home from John Dark. This is a rear elevation.

It's a left elevation of the home. And then that's the right elevation of the home. Then we also have floor plans of the home, farmer's porch, family room, kitchen, dining area with a bath with a deck off the rear. And then this is the second story with a master bedroom and two bedrooms in the back. And that's how the basic presentation.

Okay.

I should also note that there'll be additional drainage in the rear for the roof runoff.

And Mr. Vice Chair, the only other thing I would add is that these are two tax parcels right now. They're obviously being reshaped. The existing parcel closer to Columbia is a much smaller lot. The other parcel with the existing home is bigger. So having said that, I, you know, I believe that we have established that we meet the criteria for issuance of the special permit. We are requesting approval of the special permit this evening, but we're happy to answer any questions or address any concerns. Okay. That's all we have. Thank you.

Thank you. And before I open it up for testimony from the public, I think we were going to have somebody in Zoom, is that correct, Mary? Okay. We did receive a letter that they did ask to be read into the record, so we did receive correspondence that I will read into the record and then we will go to members of the public that are on Zoom. The letter is addressed through Dear Mary Bundage in the Planning Board.

I am a neighbor of the property located at 14 Gendak Street. As I will be traveling out of the country, I am unable to attend the public hearing schedule for May 18. Could you please email me the digital plans and blueprints for the project proposed by Three Bridge Development Inc. I would like to review the potential impact on my property's privacy and drainage before the board makes a decision. Additionally, I would like to raise the following questions regarding the application to split the lot and build a new home.

Number one, street character. How will the reduced frontage section five point one point one seven affect the density of the character of the street? Number two, natural light. Will the new construction block natural light or compromise the privacy of my property? Number three, property value. What is the estimated impact on the property value's immediate neighbors? Number four, trees and drainage. Will any mature trees be removed? And how will the new construction handle water runoff to prevent flooding in neighboring yards? Number five, privacy.

How will the placement of the new house affect the privacy of my backyard and windows? Number six, parking and traffic. Reducing frontage often leads to more congestion. Will there be enough off street parking for this new home to avoid crowding our street? I request that these questions be read into the record during the public hearing. Thank you for your assistance. Best regards, Corinne Bala. 134 Columbia Road, Lowell, Mass. And now with that, is there anyone here or on Zoom here to speak in favor of the project? In favor of the project? In favor?

Yeah. Yeah. Hi. Hi. I'm Kieran. So should I have a some I have a some question regarding to the this project. So my first question is that how many feet will there will be between a new house, my and then my property line. Are you hearing me?

Was that how many how how much feet from the property line? Is that okay? Okay. Yeah. Go ahead. I I will let you present the questions that you have and then through the acting chair here, will discuss the comments with the applicant. So go ahead, right ahead, please.

Okay. My first question is that how many feet will be there between this new house and my property lines?

Mhmm. Do you

have any other concerns?

Yeah. Is the neighborhood following the standard rules, John, like, joining rules? And when is the construction plan to start, and how long will be the heavy drilling take?

And I'm sorry, before that comment, I didn't get your question. What was your

When is the construction plan to start?

Okay. Yep.

And how long will the heavy digging take? And

Any other questions or comments?

Will will they take the fence? And, actually, I need a a fence when they're starting the project, and can they put those fence over there as my, you know, I'm going to lose my my my my my I'm going to lose my personal space, so I need a fence. And what will be the setback for the my home? I haven't, like, that's questions. I'm so worried about that.

So tell me.

Okay. Any other other questions or concerns? No. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. And we will we will ask the petitioner the questions that you have asked. Thank you very much.

Okay. Thank you. Is

is there anyone else on Zoom speak in favor or against? No? Okay. Alright. Portion of the meeting is closed. Counselor, just before we turn over the board, regarding no. I believe her is at 134 Columbia Road. Do you know exactly where that is in relation to?

Yes. And we did see that letter in advance as well, I think we addressed most of those concerns in our presentation to one degree or another. In terms of these specific questions, we are 15.4 feet away from the home. We meet all the dimensional all the other dimensional requirements of the code. So we're not looking for relief or setbacks to side yard, front yard or any other except the house to the front yard setback as I said. In terms of the construction timeline, you know I would suggest that a single family home from the time you get permitted till you complete the construction could take up to six months. Probably would be done this construction season I would suggest.

Fair enough.

And in terms of the fence, I mean she, you know, she's elevated above this property. There's a pretty significant tree line there that we are not proposing to change. We're proposing to likely trim and prune, but there's a lot of privacy as, you know, natural existing privacy. So we're not intending to propose a fence. Yeah. The tree line is demonstrated. You can see it on the plan. So that's all I have, Mr. Vice Chair.

Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. With that, I'll turn it over to the Board.

Chairman.

Yeah,

want to also just because Ms. Karen also, Bala also asked about natural light and property value. We can discuss that one. Also trees and drainage, do you have an answer for a question regarding, you know, the latter that's

Yeah. So, you know, in terms of the trees, again, we're not anticipating removing many trees. We're anticipating pruning and trimming trees for that tree line along the two property lines there and beyond. So we don't think there'll be any impact there. The natural light is what it is and it, you know, it won't be affected. In terms of the property values, I would suggest that this property, the construction of a new home, the rehab of the existing home is going to positively impact values in the neighborhood, most definitely. And the privacy, there's still significant natural barrier there.

Maybe a question to Matt, are you planning any trees or shrubs or landscaping?

We're not proposing plantings, but this is a residential lot. So you're going to find that there'll be natural landscaping throughout time on the property.

Okay. And and how much space? You say fifteen and four feet to the neighboring house. Right?

It's still a lot line, not the house.

Oh, the lot line. Okay.

Yes. So 15.4 feet to the lot line.

Got it. And then there are trees along the the

There's there's vegetation all along here.

Okay. Is the vegetation extend up to almost to the to the new house? I mean, I I I don't see on the plan. So, I mean, the vegetation

It's gonna be set back about eight feet pruned back about eight feet from the home.

I see. And it well, got it. Well, thank you. Thank you for addressing

There's also a natural topography difference there as well where Huge.

Matt, I'm gonna ask about that. So so how do you navigate that that I I don't know if it you may have some feel or is the building I mean, the plans looks sitting on a flat ground. So what's the plan there?

Okay. So out here, the grading into the driveway will remain approximately the same grade going down in grade about a foot for the drive area. So the drive area will be relatively flat. Okay. What'll happen is this is the 1st Floor here.

So when you come in off this grade, you'll be coming in to the 1st Floor with, like, a two foot elevation difference Okay. From the driveway to the 1st Floor. And then what you have is a is an eight foot basement. So essentially, the basement drops eight feet and it's a walk with what we call a walkout in the back in the rear.

I see. Let me see.

So what'll happen is the foundational step down to grade in the rear. So when you come out of the basement, you'll be at grade in the rear. That's how you take care of the eight to nine floor grade differential from here to the rear.

Okay. Yeah. Because I'm seeing the house plan on the side elevation. It's look pretty flat. It's

So what happens back here, actually

Right? Yeah. No. Very flat.

Yeah. Back here, we're actually filling in two feet to raise the grade in the rear here.

Okay. So I hear you. Is the plans representative or that's more for a sim

That's for the elevations of the building, not a perspective elevations.

I see. But the character will be similar.

Yes. So when you're on the driveway, you will see that.

Uh-huh. Yes. Okay.

But may may I ask though, so there will will not be a benefit. I think the thinking was, when we're talking about the big elevation, is that the neighbor will be all set because they are higher and the house will be lower, but it's not. This house is going to be elevated, so it really is gonna be at the same level of I just I'm understanding what what's happening here. How it's laying out.

So the the the the lot drops in grade

I understand.

From here to here approximately 10 feet.

Right. But you're gonna have an eight foot basement. You basically said from the driveway, which the driveway is up front Yep. Near the road.

And then there's grading along both sides.

So then you're gonna walk in, basically, you said from the driveway, it'll be the same level to the 1st Floor. Correct. So that means it'll be elevated.

Yeah. I said that the the 1st Floor will be two feet above the driveway.

So they're really the grade different won't give you any privacy then.

It's alright. Matt, what is the grade of the 1st Floor to the grade the topography level of the 1st Floor to the topography level of the neighbor?

So the neighbor is at 82, Elevation 80 2, and our finished floor will be at 93. So we're higher.

You're higher? Yes. That's what yeah. That's because the implication was

Depends on where you are. Depends on where you are at the neighbor's property.

Right. No, understood. Because then in the back So

so here we're at the same essentially the same grade. I They they drop down the rear too.

Okay. And and, Matt, how far back are we off of John Dock?

We are

It's in my variance application, I just don't remember.

54 feet from Jean Marc.

Okay. So Mary, do you have a Pardon me?

I got a comment from care Karen.

Okay. Sure. You could. Over Yeah. If you could, please. Okay.

Because this new house is being built right along my property, backyard property line, our privacy is gonna be completely lost. Request the board require the builder to install a six foot property fence along the property line as a condition for approving this project.

Okay. Alright. Fair enough. Thank you. Thank you, Mary. Okay. So it's better we have a better understanding Yeah. Why yeah. Because I really thought Yeah. It was a natural natural protection there from the slope. Okay. Alright. Fair enough.

But we all know that this is 2nd Floor. Right.

Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. No understood. Yep. Alright. Okay. I'm sorry, Ken. Go ahead.

Oh, no worry. Another thing is I noticed, like, there is a garage or, like, right next to the driveway you're gonna remove?

That's been removed.

Oh, okay. Yeah.

That just got removed.

The red. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Because I I see some picture when I was there. It's in not there. So

It was there a few weeks ago, and we removed it when we did the plan.

Got it. And another thing I'm slightly concerned is, like, on the driveway. We talk about on a university app that people might drive into somebody house, but one of your parking space are right off the cliff. Is there any concern about people backing down?

Well, there won't be a cliff here.

Well, on the other side. Like, what you have a tee.

Over in here.

Yeah.

Yeah. There could be it just it slopes down from here about six six feet to the bottom of the the toe of slope.

Would would would it be some benefit of some type of curve or something is stopped?

Yeah. We could we could we could definitely put something here.

Yeah. Well, I can Yep. I guess you're writing down that.

Yeah. We can definitely add something there.

So yeah. Other than that, I think I see your neighborhood plan and and you're asking for eight feet relief. I think that's certainly within the limit rent. And you mentioned about also this one of the law where we're complying with area. So, I see that as within.

How to say it? I see it as within the perimeter where I will be supportive the relief on frontage. And I also want to thank the owner for renovating the property. I mean, it looks really nice. And I think it will be helpful again to attorney Gary mentioned about the low housing plan that we can use more housing and where it can fit.

As long as we address some issues with the impact such as, I think I will leave it to further discussion about whether a fence is the best idea on that note. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Mister Vice Cheah, thank you. Couple of comments, I went out there yesterday, drove down that gravel driveway, turned around, looked around, really loved what had been done to the property thus far. Very much appreciate the Color GIS exhibit showing the various lots with less than 70 feet of frontage. To me, that shows that this area has quite a few with similar or less than, that the frontage you're requesting. So I didn't have a problem with that.

What I was wondering, was when I drove down the driveway and I looked up, I was wondering whether there were gonna be any sort of or need to be any sort of retaining walls because on the backside when you drive down, I mean, it's it's it's a slope. It's gotta be ten ten feet, maybe something like that.

There will be a a wall.

There's a there's a retaining wall in there?

Yes. It's located right here.

I'm sorry. I'm gonna come up and see if you

can down the plan. Okay.

Retaining wall here. Okay. Oh, okay. I was thinking it was more like the tree line. Yeah. You know where that other property is?

Yeah. We don't need

a retaining wall on the left hand side. Just just in this location here.

Because of

Just the

way the grading worked.

Yeah. With the cutting. You know? Can you show me on this where the driveway is for Lot Number 1? I drove down Lot Number 2, so I know where that is. But where is it located in this

Oh, but

Like, there's a lot of lines here. Yeah. Mhmm. You would.

Well, and then I was looking at

Oh, I wouldn't have guessed that. Oh, okay. Thank you. Okay. My only other comment, I actually like this proposal. I do think there should be some trees on Lot 2. That would be my condition. Thank you, mister chair.

Thank you. Thank you. Attorney Tanzania. Sia, any comments? Questions?

I don't have any questions. I'll just say that

Dan, why is this He's out.

Part of the. I've never seen

trees out.

Before. It's so it makes you feel like you're rural And what they've done with the little bungalow that's there now, I love it. You know, you wouldn't looking at it, you wouldn't think that lot one is a new lot, right?

Lot one is a new one, yeah.

If you look if you really take a good look at it, there's plenty of room there. They obviously meet the required lot area. And I think that they're within the 15 feet of permissible relief for minimum frontage. So, I like it.

Okay, great. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Sahn?

I was able to speak to one of the neighbor there. I was just wondering on the first the old part of the was the barn in the back there? Yeah. It's it's it's in it. It's it's across the border of the it it built on the other people's land, isn't it?

Yes. It encroaches into the other property. There's been discussions with that neighbor and there's a strong likelihood that that will be corrected by way of either an easement or some type of a lot line adjustment there. But the neighbor's well aware of it, has no concern about it. You know, we've there have been many discussions between the developer and that neighbor. So it will be addressed one way or another or it will be allowed to stay without any issue.

Because I it's, you know, mean, what we passed sometimes is hard to, you know, go back.

Yeah. It's a if the neighbor wants that removed, he has a right to have it removed or more likely there would be a resolution.

Okay. Other than that, I, you know, I'm okay with Okay. Everything

Thank you.

Okay. Thank you, Ms. Suh. Mary?

I just had a couple of comments, from our participant on Zoom. She just wanted to say, she removed her red shed and she also asked to point out her property line, the one on 134 Columbia Ave, and where the new, if if not, if you don't mind showing where that property line is. You know, that they can point that out.

Point it out?

Yeah, please.

Hopefully LTC was able to zoom in on that. It does show us where it is. Okay, great. Yeah, looking at this, that's what I was I thought the biggest challenge was the topography of the site. I have to laugh. Counsel, you know you know me for a long time and I'm sensitive to this. The variance request you're asking for is probably one of the few legitimate variance requests I've ever seen.

Can't wait to ask. It

has to do specifically to the topography of the land. And you typically don't see that. So that that caught my attention. Yeah. I I you know, I think there's going to be there's a certain level of privacy leaving the trees there that will be beneficial.

It's funny on the garage on the other lot line. If the plan is to sell these, that has to be taken care of anyways because that's going to hold up every closing you're possibly ever going to try to do.

Yes. And we had that discussion.

Yes. So that has to be taken care of one way or the other. Has there has there been did you speak with this neighbor before? Has there been any discussion of of offense in in in

My clients have have spoken with her many times.

No.

I think that that they probably suspected she was going to ask for a fence as No. That natural privacy of the of the tree line is substantial.

Right.

And I, you know, I don't know that a six foot fence is gonna the trees are much higher than that.

Yeah. I know. And I

don't know what benefit that's gonna provide them. Right. In

Right. Yeah. I'm I'm trying to weigh that.

Yeah. I far as Right. Yep. Matt, what's the what's the distance along that lot line?

It's a

127 feet.

The the distance of that lot line. Long run. And now, clearly, when you get to the rear of the property, then it drops. Matter of fact, there'll be less property less privacy on this new lot because that the other lot will be looking down on it. But

I'm wondering whether there could be some vegetation, landscaping, in self fencing that can provide screening because, I mean, that goes along with the natural existing vegetation. And

oddly enough, on the plans of the home, you don't have a lot of windows on the sides of the house. Yeah, like two Yeah, on the which I thought was Is it just because of the way the rooms layout? It just didn't I mean, that's the way it's going to be built, I'm assuming, right? What's That's being presented. Wouldn't be the first time that doesn't happen, but I just wanna make sure that that's Alright. So there's the

Just one in the pinnacle?

Yeah. So that would be what's yeah.

Mhmm. Okay. There.

That deck so that deck, to to Caleb's point though, and that's why it always makes it tough in the topography. So that deck, is that gonna be at that point, the way you're you're you're coming down, it's gonna be like a knee wall coming down to to lower

the the bridge.

That deck will be eight feet in the Eight feet off the ground?

Yes. Okay. See, that doesn't give you that sense there. Okay. That's what's trying to

So so there's there are more.

It slopes

in the back.

Yeah. Okay. Alright. Just trying to think if there's some way we could provide some sort of additional I don't I don't if it's from the parking. If we could Mary, is she still on the I I on Zoom. I just have a question. Is it more concerned regarding where the driveway is located or is it the whole length of the property? I guess my I mean, I can understand, I guess, the the driveway perspective of people out there working on the cars or whatever the case, washing the cars or whatever, just give them privacy.

I also want to note, like, the building that they they say they removed before submitting the plan.

Provided some privacy.

Was the one providing privacy. But then, Matt, it's was the was the shed there before encroaching on the neighbor's property? I mean, it's on the left side of the driveway. Right?

Because that provided privacy from the driveway.

Oddly. Right? Yeah.

While Matt's looking at that, so, you know, just speaking with my client, what we could probably do here is provide a, you know, a six foot white vinyl fence for a twenty, thirty foot run there

Sure.

That would take care of, you know, any privacy concerns related to the actual structure. Right?

Sure. Right.

Exactly. Got the natural vegetation take over for the rest.

Yeah. I know it would be great.

Yeah. You know, I think we can

Although, I I I do want to ask the neighbor, is the fence really what they wanted? I mean, trees, I mean, plantings can also do I mean, that that I mean, that's up to the app. The yeah. I want to ask the neighbor about that. Does she really want the fence? I mean, it's pretty open look.

But again, I get the previous structure did provide some privacy, and now it's gone. So I get get Yeah.

I get

it. Difference here. Yep.

So if it's if that's you know, makes sense. Right? If, you know, you cover that 20 to 30 foot run. Yep. And that should resolve those concerns, I would think.

I I I mean, I like that idea. Yeah. Okay. Sense. Yep. I think that makes sense. That that certainly was the concern that was that she had mentioned, and I can understand it when that that section is a lie.

That's what we have, right? You can see from the screen.

Yeah. Yeah. Anyway. I know. I know. Know. I I think that that would, yeah. Okay. Is there any any other comments from the other board members?

Just briefly. Yep. I think Lot 2 felt naked when I drove on it, if you know what I mean. Like, it was sparse with landscaping, whatever. I think if two shade trees would be helpful.

Did you hear that?

That's right.

Yes. Two shade trees on lot the lot on the existing structure.

Yes. Lot 2.

Lot 2. Yep. Okay. And that would be at street level, right, for the streetscape street level? Yep. Any other comments? Okay. With that, I'll entertain

There's two motions, right?

We actually have before us the it's this is for the hold on just a moment here, make sure we have this correctly. This is for just a special permit for the reduction of the frontage. So

with that So the current one is the widening, plotting to subdivision?

I'm sorry.

It's just a special

Special permit, right, for the reduction of the frontage.

That's it. So that they

can subdivide the lot without paw room. Otherwise, they cannot.

Yep. Which is section five point one point one of the zoning code. Okay. Yep. Yep.

So with that, I know councilor said the proposed conditions, you said the first two were already met, so we're really with that, I'll entertain a motion. Again, for the site plan the special permit.

I make a motion to approve the special permit to reduce the frontage for the lots with condition the applicant must provide as builds of the drainage system with a professional engineer's damp after the project is complete. And second condition, the applicant shall obtain a stormwater permit from the LRWWU. And then we have a third condition to add a six foot white vinyl fence on the 20 around 20 feet from the driveway. How do you call it? From the street.

From the street. In. In. Thank you.

Correct.

And lastly, we also have a fourth condition to for the applicant to plant two shade trees on Lot 2.

Second. Second. All in favor?

Aye.

Any against? She votes favor? Congratulations.

You. Appreciate your time tonight.

Good luck, gentlemen. Sorry to be tough on you on the landscaping, that that's a peep of mind, counsel.

White vinyl fence is a popular thing.

Thank you. Yes. Comments from any other board members on any

other boards they serve on? How's the bridge coming?

It's moving along. If you go out there, can actually see them making progress with the cranes. Three cranes.

Are they stuck

there? Put the pilings in or?

They're they're they're they continue to move forward. Yeah. I think Caleb even has a picture

of it. Picture of it.

Oh, cranes out there. Nice.

No. And they actually when they're when they're not working on the weekend, they actually have American flags hanging from the cranes. It's actually pretty impressive when you're

looking forward.

I I encourage you to go by and take a look at it.

So did we put up a video camera?

They were supposed to. I didn't check the website. It should be on the website. I'll have check that.

Was that the state or the the city?

The city was gonna put

on there. Yeah, yeah. Real time. I'll have

to check to see.

I haven't heard any more progress on that. I'll report back on that. Sounds good. Any other comments? If not, I entertain a motion to adjourn. Motion. Second? Aye. All in favor.

Aye. Thank

you very much. Good night everybody.

Thank you. Thank you.