Arch Street developer submits preliminary plans
By Catie Foertsch Community Reporter

Westborough - Joseph Farrell submitted preliminary plans for Glenwood Acres, his 13-house Arch Street subdivision, to the Planning Board Aug. 14. Town Planner James Robbins said he expects the Planning Board to approve the preliminary plans at its Tuesday Sept. 25 meeting, at which point the project will move into the more rigorous definitive phase.

Glenwood Acres will consist of two cul-de-sacs off Arch, at Eric Drive and Raymond Street. Opposite Eric, Emily's Path would have seven houses; opposite Raymond, Glenwood Drive would have six. Farrell estimated that houses would be 2,600 to 2,800 square feet, although, he said, "economic conditions will dictate what gets built."

House lots will be from 12,000 to 15,000 square feet, well below the zoning requirement of 50,000 square feet because the Planning Board approved the project as an open space subdivision that allows smaller lots and preserved open space. Glenwood Acres will be built on 21 acres, of which 16 will be preserved as open space.

The town's zoning bylaws require a sight distance of 400 feet from subdivision intersections, and the intersection of Emily's Path and Arch meets that requirement. But as proposed, the intersection of Glenwood and Arch does not, and the Planning Board will look at relocating the Glenwood intersection to improve sight distance. Drivers on Arch "occasionally" exceed the 30 mph speed limit, Planning Board member Augustus Ashton said, so it would be advisable to "open up the sight line."

There are wetlands on the property, and Farrell will work with the Conservation Commission to locate a detention basin to receive storm-water drainage without impact to the wetlands.

The project's open space will be developed with walking trails, and will be offered to the Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT). The parcel is close to the Tufts Veterinary School field and its walking trails, and Robbins said he thought the WCLT would work to connect those two trail systems.

The project was placed on the Planning Board's Sept. 25 agenda at 8 p.m.