By K.B. Sherman, Contributing Writer
Grafton – The Grafton Planning Board met Nov. 23 to consider proposals from applicants for the “Gristmill Village” subdivision and the “Grafton Hill” subdivision.
The first case heard by the board was the Village at Institute Road, which is a proposal for a 46- to 48-lot Major Residential Permit for property located at 100 Westboro Rd. The property is currently zoned Office/Light Industrial and Residential (R20). Applicant Westerly Side LLC is seeking to modify a previously approved Definitive Plan originally approved in 1953, prior to the adoption of Subdivision Control in Grafton.
The project entails the development of a portion of a 47.79 acre parcel of land located along the westerly side of Institute Road and the southerly side of Westboro Road, approximately 33.1 acres, being located in a R—20 Medium Density Residential district. There will be 46 lots and three roadways. If the project is deemed a Flexible Subdivision, there will be 51 lots and three roadways.
The applicant is seeking change under the flexible subdivision rules. There was some discussion about under which subdivision plan the change application would be considered and the board voted to close the public hearing and have board staff draft a decision which might involve having to reopen the hearing. The vote was unanimous.
The next case heard was Grafton Hill. The subdivision is comprised of 20 proposed single-family detached residential dwellings within a 22 lot subdivision zoned R40 on a site located off of North Street, dated 1953. The proposed project is a modification to a previously endorsed definitive subdivision. The proposed plan will result in 23 residential lots having frontage off Clearview Road. The roadway has a total length of 2,020 feet from North Street to the end of the loop. Utility infrastructure will include a connection to the Grafton Water District main in North Street for potable water and fire protection, and a connection to the Grafton Municipal Sewer System.
Ownership/sale has been changed but the proposal cannot be finalized without permission of the owners and according to the board, no zoning changes are allowable at this point. Robert Hassinger noted that although the original approval for this development was done in 1953, he’d like to see a plan that was more in line with contemporary zoning that ameliorated the project corners, roadway layout, and street lengths that had originally been approved.
“We need this to be a 2015 development and show that this is our best effort,” he said. He noted that he was disappointed that the applicant wanted so many changes. Chair Sargon Hanna replied that the board needed more time with this application, and Town Planner Joseph Laydon agreed. The hearing was unanimously continued to Dec. 14.