LYNN — The Planning Board met Tuesday evening to discuss a preliminary subdivision plan regarding Bulfinch Road, ultimately voting unanimously to approve the proposal with conditions.
Abutters have not yet been formally notified, as the proposal is still at the preliminary stage.
Engineer Anthony Donato of Hancock Associates outlined the proposal to the Board. The property currently contains an existing dwelling off Bulfinch Road.
Under the plan, “we’re proposing a 350-foot cul-de-sac roadway,” Donato said. The existing home would remain and be designated as a modified Lot 1, with five additional lots created.
The site is located in the R1 zoning district, which requires a minimum lot size of 6,000 square feet.
Donato detailed the proposed lot sizes: 9,250 square feet for Lot 1; 7,500 square feet for Lot 2; 45,850 square feet for Lot 3; 21,000 square feet for Lot 4; 15,000 square feet for Lot 5; and 39,500 square feet for Lot 6. “So these are large lots,” he noted.
Donato explained that the property slopes steeply to the east, with a low point at the southern end.
An existing wetland area has been flagged and will require a filing with the Conservation Commission. The project includes some filling to allow for a roadway crossing, along with proposed wetland replication.
To minimize impacts, the Board is proposing a three-sided box culvert at the wetland crossing.
“Actually, we’re proposing a box culvert over the wetland so that technically it won’t be bisected or disturbed,” Donato said, adding that the intent is “to minimize the disturbance to the existing wetland.”
The development would be serviced by sewer and water connections from Bulfinch Road. Because of site grading and roadway requirements, some significant earthwork would be necessary at the eastern portion of the property.
Three waivers were identified as part of the preliminary submission: allowing Cape Cod berm and granite curb, permitting a roadway intersection angle of less than 75 degrees, and reducing the sidewalk requirement to one side of the road.
Board members discussed whether similar waivers had been granted in the past. Donato noted that such waivers “were approved previously on small projects such as this six-lot subdivision.”
Although waivers are not required at the preliminary stage, they were included to give the Board a preview of what may be requested with a definitive plan.
Board members also raised concerns about the proposed retaining walls, which could reach heights of up to 25 feet.
William Maher said, “One thing that I would like to see in the future is…the wall design plans by a structural engineer submitted to the Planning Board.”
“The plans meet the requirements of a preliminary subdivision plan, so I would recommend that it be approved, but there’s no reason not to approve it,” Planning Board liaison Michael Donovan stated.
However, he cautioned that no soil testing had yet been conducted.
“There’s extensive excavation (and) blasting, but there’s no soil testing done,” Donato added, noting that without test pits and borings, the plan does not clearly show whether ledge cuts or retaining walls will be required.
He recommended that the Board require soil test pitting and borings throughout the site, particularly in areas with potential 25-foot cuts and for any stormwater infiltration systems.
Chairman Robert Stillian also confirmed that Conservation Commission approval would be required before the project could move forward.
The Board ultimately voted to approve the preliminary subdivision plan unanimously, subject to conditions including soil borings and test pits, submission of structural wall design plans, and all required approvals from the Conservation Commission.
A definitive plan and public hearing will follow if the approval is granted.
