The Planning Board closed a months-long review of 383 and 40R South Main Street on Wednesday, requiring a $3,000 donation to the town’s tree bank and specific architectural protections for a historic stone wall to mitigate the impact of a new three-lot development. The dual application for a scenic road permit and a common driveway drew focused feedback from neighbors regarding the preservation of the neighborhood's historic character and the screening of headlights.

Greg Morris of Morris Engineering detailed a revised mitigation plan that includes removing a 20-inch Norway maple and approximately 47 feet of stone wall. To compensate for the loss, the applicant will plant a new oak and install 12 "Green Giant" arborvitaes to shield neighboring homes. Morris explained that the arborvitaes provide landscape screening, while the 2-inch caliper tree is a replacement street tree per the town ordinance. Member Amy Glasmeier questioned the town's standard for replacement sizes, noting, I don’t understand how the town determines a 2-inch tree is sufficient when it will take 20 or 25 years to grow. Member Birgit Schmidt-Wesche pointed out that while the Norway maple is an invasive species, other trees on the site would be lost without replacement, suggesting the plan needed fine-tuning in consultation with the Tree Warden.

Abutter Elizabeth "Betsy" Stevenson urged the board to protect the street’s aesthetic, arguing that the proposed wall removal was excessive. I ask that the end post of the wall be maintained because I think that's an architectural detail that makes the wall stand out, Stevenson said, suggesting a sharp 90-degree turn for the wall instead of a modern curve. Member Deirdre Hobson reinforced the need for historic consistency, asking, Do we need to state the existing stone that is there is to be reused?

Motion Made by C. Brewer to approve the Scenic Road permit with conditions: replacement tree per Tree Warden, $3,000 tree bank donation, 90-degree wall turn on the north side, reuse of existing stones to match existing work, and visible placement of the ornamental marker stone. Motion Passed (5-0).

Infrastructure concerns also took center stage as abutter Mr. Eagles requested that verbal agreements regarding his property line and irrigation system be formalized. I'm looking for documenting these things on the engineering drawings versus things being said verbally, Eagles told the board. Chair Kevin Heine noted that while the board was here to continue the single item on our agenda, they could mandate technical plan revisions to protect neighboring property. Following a peer reviewer’s recommendation, the board insisted the applicant increase the driveway's binder course thickness to two inches for better durability. Vice Chair Clark Brewer noted the plan appeared in conformance with what we talked about at our last meeting.

Motion Made by C. Brewer to approve the special permit for the common driveway with the following stipulations: add a 15-foot dimension from the driveway to the property line on the plan; submit the vegetative screening plan; and the driveway construction must conform to the peer reviewer's specification. Motion Passed (5-0).