The Planning Board on Monday approved 7-0 a proposal by the Trails Committee to remove three trees on Ash Street to improve parking at a trailhead near 101 Ash Street despite abutters’ and members’ concerns.

Chair Rob Benson and other members stressed that the Planning Board’s jurisdiction applied solely to the removal of the three trees in the right of way and the turning of a large boulder 90 degrees because Ash Street has a scenic road designation. They could not consider their opinions about expanding the parking area in their votes.

At the May 19 meeting, Trails Committee chair Peter LaGoy stressed that currently there is parking for two cars along the dirt edge of the road. His plan was to widen this area with the tree removal and to add stone dust to create a better off-street parking area. Kerry Reed, the Department of Public Works director and tree warden, approved of the tree removal at that meeting.

Victoria Julian, who resides at 101 Ash Street with her husband, Matthew Czech, was “firmly opposed” to the proposal that directly affects their home. She reiterated her concerns about safety on the “narrow, curvy” street where she has witnessed excessive speeding.

“We appreciate the Planning Board giving us a chance to express our concerns about the parking lot because it would significantly impact us as residents of the subject property,” she said.

She detailed her objections, which included there being no sidewalk or road shoulder. While people do park there, Julian said it can be difficult to exit a vehicle, forcing people to walk in the street. Cars would be a “physical barrier” to pedestrians and bicycles trying to use the side of the road.

Pictured is the entrance to the Elmwood Farms Trail (just to the right of the sign) and the small dirt parking area in front of 101 Ash Street. PHOTO/JERRY SPAR

Julian also feared that traffic would increase “near and potentially down our driveway.” She noted that the town and state websites designate this trail as beginning at 101 Ash Street, which is her home address.

Added Julian: “[The state website] clearly indicates that the opening to our driveway is the location of the parking.”

Increased traffic, noise, foot traffic, potential driveway blocking and litter were other factors she presented to the board. There is no barrier proposed between 101 Ash Street and the parking area and no signage.

She also presented town plan numbers that show that the stone slated to be turned is within her property boundary, not the right of way.

Benson noted that he also lives on a scenic road and “would be irate” if two parking spaces were put in front of his property. He asked board members for their perspectives on “what is right and wrong here.”

Member Parker Happ asked for clarification that the two spaces already exist. Benson said that the plan would make them “more readily accessible.”

LaGoy said he planned to have another abutters meeting at the site to discuss residents’ concerns.

“Some of the things you’re talking about here are really outside of the bounds of a scenic road hearing,” he told Benson.

Benson asked LaGoy who ultimately controls whether the Trails Committee can move the project forward. LaGoy said the Select Board charged the committee with improving trail access and parking.

Added LaGoy: “Unless there’s a no parking sign, anyone has the right to park there.”

Benson said he was opposed to the plan because it was not in the best interest of the abutters or the town. But the constraints of the scenic road designation made this a moot point.

New member Amna Diwan, who lives on Ash Street, said this parking area would be “a danger to the public.”

Vice chair Matthew Wronka agreed with LaGoy that the discussion had gone out of bounds. If the board did not follow the town bylaws, there could be legal ramifications.

Michael Lanen, who lives at 105 Ash Street, also expressed safety concerns. He questioned if tree roots would have to be excavated. LaGoy said the trees will be cut level with the ground and then covered with inches of gravel.

Diwan and Peter Mimmo, who were elected on May 19, did not participate in the vote because the hearing began before they were elected.

Board hears from sustainability consultant

John Gelcich, the acting director of the Land Use, Planning & Permitting Department, introduced Peyton Siler Jones, the founder of Siler Climate Consulting. She gave a presentation on the work the firm has conducted as part of a town bylaw and regulation review.

Gelcich explained that Hopkinton was awarded a Building Resiliency Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) earlier this year. The firm has been reviewing the town’s regulations and bylaws “for areas of improvement for nature-based solutions and other sustainable types of development infrastructure,” Gelcich said.

One of the directives in the town’s climate action plan “was to do a scan of the town zoning code and bylaws” to find ways to increase opportunities for climate resiliency. Siler Jones noted that the town has done a “really fantastic job of considering low-impact development to the environment.”

A recommendation she made was to expand the environmental analysis requirements for subdivisions so that soil ecosystems are protected. But she also was mindful of developers’ needs and did not want the requirements to be burdensome for them.

She also encouraged the adoption of green infrastructure techniques in commercial and industrial areas, potentially offering regulatory and financial incentives.

Benson noted that while denser housing did not appear to be desirable in Hopkinton, the town needs to stay above the 10% threshold to prevent “unfriendly 40B development” by right. He expressed concern about the tax bills going up to accommodate school growth.

Gelcich challenged Benson’s assumption that denser housing would strain the schools, noting a study that showed that each unit would average 0.5% of a child living in it.

Gelcich encouraged more information to be shared regarding the pros and cons of denser development.

Siler Jones said she would share the draft proposal with the board. It will be finalized over the summer.

Benson reelected as chair, Wronka remains vice chair

Benson bested Wronka in a 4-3 straw poll vote for chair and was reelected 9-0 in the formal vote. The board unanimously voted for Wronka to continue as vice chair. He was unopposed.

Baypath animal shelter hearing continued

The hearing for the construction of a proposed 8,400-square-foot animal shelter facility and related infrastructure off Fruit Street by Baypath Humane Society was continued to June 16 at the applicant’s request. The decision deadline for the stormwater management permit was extended to June 23.