Commission approves minor site-plan modification for 138 Washington Street

The Foxborough Conservation Commission on June 8 approved a minor site-plan modification to the Patriot Park LLC development at 138 Washington Street.

Cameron Gray of Bay Colony Group told the commission the revision rotates the last two buildings so each becomes four units instead of the previously approved three-unit and two-unit buildings, increasing the development's total unit count from 32 to 35. Gray said, "this brings our unit count up to 35 as opposed to 32," and described other changes including a two-foot reduction in finished grade achieved by using an alternative septic system.

Gray said the plan adds retaining walls along the eastern portion of the site to maintain consistent grades and increases retaining near unit 29 to make room for electrical infrastructure. He also said the revised layout reduces impervious surface by about 10 percent and that drainage basins will remain as previously designed: "our drainage basin will remain the same. We're not proposing any changes."

Commission members asked whether emergency vehicles would still be able to turn around. Gray said the site no longer contains a road that flows completely around the development; instead, the layout provides a hammerhead turnaround allowing fire apparatus to enter, turn and exit. Commissioners also discussed adding split-rail fencing at the top of slopes to deter dumping; Gray confirmed split-rail fences were included on the plan.

A member of the public asked where snow-storage areas were shown. Gray said snow-storage areas are indicated on sheet 9 of the full site plan and are shaded in red on that sheet; he said the storage areas are interior to the site and will direct melt toward the drainage system rather than toward wetlands.

After discussion the commission voted first to classify the submission as a minor modification and then to approve the modification for D157668 "as shown on plan." The transcript records an opposed vote during an earlier minutes approval but shows no opposed votes on the final approval motion.

The commission's approval does not change the drainage basin configuration or propose additional work inside the wetland buffer, according to the applicant. The approved modification includes the rotated buildings, revised grades, added retaining walls, split-rail fencing and the reduced impervious area.

The plan packet distributed to the commission included the previously approved site plan, the proposed modification and an overlay highlighting changes; snow-storage details remain on sheet 9 of the full plan set.