The Planning Board at its meeting Monday night received new information regarding several important development projects, including The Trails and the mixed-use housing development proposed to replace the former Hopkinton Drug building on Main Street.
Vin Gately, the owner of The Trails, appeared before the board to discuss the issue of road damage on Wilson Street that the Department of Public Works in May described as originating from that development. He was adamant that not all of the damage came from his property and that some issues predated its construction.
Gately explained that The Trails has about 500 feet of frontage along a 3,000-foot stretch of Wilson Street that goes to the Ashland border. Because Wilson Street runs downhill for 1,000 feet before reaching The Trails, Gately said his property is not responsible for the damage caused by water from the land at a higher elevation.
He added that the Planning Board in 2019 had approved the stormwater management plan for The Trails. This plan later proved to be insufficient, as flooding issues have negatively impacted Ashland’s water supply and prompted the Conservation Commission to assess fines for stormwater management violations.
Gately noted that there was significant rainfall in 2021 and 2023 that taxed the stormwater management system’s capabilities. But he also said that the town must take responsibility for what he believes is its role in the street’s condition, which he said has been poor for 60 years.
“The town, at least in my judgment, should address this because there’s been a drainage problem on that street for years,” said Gately. “They’re expecting us to bring that road up to current town standards.”
He proposed that he and project engineer Peter Bemis meet with key town stakeholders, including DPW Director Kerry Reed, to move past this “impasse.” He has been communicating with Reed via email.
“At this point, I’m not willing to spend any more engineering dollars,” said Gately.
Principal Planner John Gelcich said he did not believe a meeting would be beneficial if Gately is unwilling to spend any money on engineering. Later in the meeting, Gately said he would be able to “support the project with engineering dollars” if both sides came to the table to work out a resolution.
Gelcich also pointed out that the review revolving account with Gately is in arrears, which would prevent a peer review consultant from participating in this meeting until the balance is paid.
He also took issue with some of Gately’s criticisms. Gelcich noted that there have been “ongoing issues with the site,” including its being cleared rather than following a phased approach. This caused “silty soil” to infiltrate Ashland’s reservoir. Modifications made to The Trails’ drainage system were done “because it didn’t work.”
Chair Rob Benson said the only alternative the Planning Board had was to raise the $75,000 bond on the project to cover the cost of repairing the road. The Trails is currently in its fourth phase of construction.
He added that if the parties could not meet and come to an agreement by the board’s Jan. 27 meeting, the board would have to raise the bond.
Hearing for Hopkinton Drug property continued
The major site plan hearing regarding a proposed multifamily mixed use development at 48-52 Main Street that also includes an abutting property at 6 Cedar Street was continued. This is the former location of Hopkinton Drug.
Kathleen Reale, who owns an adjacent property at 8 Cedar Street, raised several concerns to the board and requested a site walk of her property. Her property contains small businesses on the first floor, including her own, and a two-bedroom apartment she rents out on the second floor.
Reale said she was concerned about the size of the project as well as its proximity to her property. Also, from her property’s perspective, the proposed above-ground parking garage will be two stories tall, causing noise, light and gasoline emissions to affect her tenants.
She added that while there are zoning bylaws in place for parking lots, none exists for parking garages.
Benson suggested a site walk that would take Reale’s concerns into account, and members were amenable to one on Dec. 14 at 9 a.m.. Vice chair Matthew Wronka also suggested that the developer provide a rendering from that perspective of the project.
Member Lucia Lopez stressed that members of the public are welcome to attend site walks.
Benson Road hearing continued
The hearing for an amended definitive subdivision plan for 0 Benson Road was continued until Jan. 6, as all parties involved were not present. The decision deadline was moved to Jan. 13.
The chair commented that the applicant had been seeking an open space parcel for the Benson Road land that had been slated to be donated to the Hopkinton Area Land Trust several years ago that HALT no longer wants. He said that he had discussed the situation with an Open Space Preservation Commission member over the previous week and learned that the OSPC generally seeks out the parcels it would like to acquire.
“The general feeling was that it would be very hard for this developer to find a parcel that [the OSPC] would be interested in that would be financially viable for them to buy,” Benson said.
Cedar Street parking permit request reviewed
The board continued a special parking permit hearing for off-street parking for a four-unit development proposed at 18 Cedar Street.
Jack Nealon represented the applicant, Janice Brown. He noted that from 1900-2018, this had been a single-family residence at the edge of the downtown business district. His client purchased the home there, and it was in serious disrepair. She received a special permit earlier this year to construct four one-bedroom units in a two-story building.
He noted that the building was located further back on the lot so that the site could accommodate 11 parking spaces. Parking would be located at the corner of Cedar and A streets.
Gelcich noted that this is “a unique situation” because the parking is located between the building and a roadway.
Benson suggested a site walk on Dec. 14 at 9:30 a.m. The board continued the hearing to Dec. 16.
Remaining lots for Newbury Glen released
The board voted 8-0 to reduce the remaining bond on the Newbury Glen (formerly called Elmwood Farms III) subdivision off Blueberry Lane from $2,686,000 to $1,021,965 now that roadwork construction has been performed. It also voted to endorse releasing the remaining lots on the project by the same margin.
I left the Planning Board in 19 and walked Wilson Street with Mr. Katelyn. Draining on Wilson was a problem then and we had assurances from him personally in the walk and I am guessing if someone goes through the video at the hearings that he made similar assurances there that he would take care of any issues once built. The concern was brought up by the residents at Wilson and in Kruger. They were on the walk also and I am sure one of them may remember. I think final approvals were after my term ended so I am not sure final outcome but I am guessing Mr.Gately is a man of his word and others may remember it.