Neighbors raise safety, parking and circulation concerns for proposed mixed‑use at 1 Cherry Street; HDC holds for revisions

The commission heard prolonged public comment on a revised proposal for 1 Cherry Street, where neighbors said changes to use and size could worsen vehicle conflicts at a narrow corner. A neighbor asked for a site plan showing how cars would maneuver from Cherry to William Street and flagged potential blind corners that could create pedestrian and traffic safety problems.

Staff member Holly said the change in use needs a clarified COA because residential uses change parking needs. A neighbor who overlaid plans said the proposed curb in the newest plan appeared to intrude into William Street; another said increased square footage (about 7.5 times the current structure) raised concerns about scale and circulation. The commission voted to hold the application for a revised COA and a site circulation plan so planners and neighbors could review parking, access and use clarity.

Next steps: applicant to submit a clarified COA that matches revised plan (indicating whether the ground floor remains commercial), and a site circulation diagram showing vehicular access and egress; HDC will re‑notice when those materials are available.