SAUGUS — The Planning Board will take up a proposed 245-unit development again in two weeks.
The development would be located on a 10.7-acre site on Route 1 North made up of three parcels, including the former Golf Country property. It would include apartments in three four-story buildings, an outdoor pool, common area, and fitness facility.
About 40 percent of the units would be one-bedroom and about 60 percent would be two-bedroom. At least 10 percent of the apartments would be affordable, as required by zoning.
Original plans included an emergency access road stemming from Longwood Avenue, but neighbors strongly opposed it. Developers worked with the town’s police and fire departments to eliminate the road and instead space out the buildings to allow space for emergency apparatus between them.
On Thursday night, the panel voted, 3-0, in favor of approving a traffic study and to continue the hearing for master plan approval until Aug. 16. Developers are in the midst of a hearing with the Conservation Commission because part of the property contains wetlands. They expect the hearing to conclude in its third session a day before the next Planning Board meeting.
“The footprint of this project really matches the developed footprint of the driving range,” said Richard Salvo of Engineering Alliance. “This is a redevelopment of a site that has already been developed.”
Because of this, Salvo requested the board waive the required environmental impact study. Board members chose to make that decision after the Conservation Commission makes theirs.
