Panel recommends sending 50 New River Road garage plan to planning board

Staff presented PLN 26-15, a preliminary plan for 50 New River Road that would reuse an existing foundation to build a 75-by-30-foot (2,250 square feet) commercial garage and convert the adjoining structure to office use. The property is in an ML 5 zoning district with a 50-foot setback requirement; staff said the existing building sits about 1.71 feet from New River Road and the proposed garage would be set as close as 15 feet from the front property line. "The existing building is 1.71 feet off of New River Road," the staff member said, highlighting the site constraint that motivated the setback discussion.

Committee members questioned whether the proposal would trigger a DOT physical alteration permit, with staff and members noting the usual traffic trigger cited in the discussion (100 vehicle trips per hour) was unlikely for this use. Members also flagged stormwater calculation questions, the need to mark and stripe an accessible stall on the crushed‑gravel surface, and a box culvert that crosses the site; standard erosion and sediment control measures were recommended as a condition. After questions and clarification, a committee member moved and staff seconded a motion for a positive recommendation to the planning board; the motion passed and staff said the project would go to the planning board and then to a public hearing for the unified development review in October.