Developer tweaks Patriot Park plan to add three units, lower grade and add retaining walls

Cameron Gray of Bay Colony Group told the Foxborough Conservation Commission that a proposed modification to the approved Patriot Park site plan at 138 Washington Street will rotate the last two buildings, alter unit mixes and modestly change grades and site infrastructure.

Gray said rotating the buildings allowed the developer to change one previously planned three‑unit building and one two‑unit building into configurations that increase the total units on site from 32 to 35. He said the revised layout lowered the finished grade across the site by about 2 feet by using an alternative septic system, and that the change allowed the project to reduce impervious surface by roughly 10 percent.

The applicant also described new retaining walls along the east portion of the site to maintain consistent grade around the homes and additional retaining near unit 29 to make room for electrical infrastructure. Gray said drainage basins and stormwater systems will remain unchanged and that the modifications do not add new work inside the wetland buffer.

Commissioners asked detailed questions about the retaining wall, added split‑rail fencing to deter dumping, and emergency vehicle access. Gray said a gravel area will operate as a hammerhead to allow fire apparatus to turn around and that bollards will limit vehicle movement while allowing pedestrian access.

After discussion the commission moved to determine whether the package was a major or minor modification, voted to classify it as a minor modification (DP57668), and then voted to approve that minor modification. A commissioner recorded opposition during the motions; the transcript excerpt does not provide a full numerical tally or the names of individual votes.

The commission’s approval preserves the project’s revised unit count and the applicant’s stated drainage approach; the applicant and commission did not propose additional work within the wetland buffer during the hearing.