Planning Board Update: August, 2014

By Marya Dantzer

Planning BoardIn addition to approving revisions to the 2008 Bedford Marketplace plan, the planning board considered a proposal for a cluster development on Irene Road, concerns about the Minuteman Bikeway / Reformatory Branch Trail connector, and saluted the Planning Office’s summer intern.

Proposed cluster development for Irene Road

The Planning Board heard a Definitive Plan proposal for a five-lot Cluster Development at 55 Pine Hill Road, also known as 2 Irene Road.

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One of the lots in the proposed 7.8-acre subdivision holds an existing home owned by Marion and C. Ray Bryan, who previously owned the land to be redeveloped by Dudley Developers LLC/Paul Marcus. The parcel includes 3.1 acres, which the Bryans have deeded to the Town to be preserved as open space. Following an hour-long discussion of revisions to Preliminary Plans discussed at the Board’s July 22 meeting by both the public and the Board, the Planning Board unanimously approved a continuance until September 9, when remaining questions concerning street trees, a green strip between the upgraded road and a new sidewalk, and curbing options will be addressed.

Watch The Citizen for further details of the development, the hearing, and the property’s potential for connection to the Town trail system.

Concerns about planned Minuteman Bikeway/Reformatory Branch Trail connector

At its July 22 meeting, the Planning Board deputized member Jeff Cohen to draft a letter to the Selectmen outlining concerns regarding construction of a trail connection linking the Reformatory Branch Trail with the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway. At its July 8 meeting, Planning Board members expressed some concern about the Board of Selectmen’s readiness to site the connector along Railroad Ave. See the Citizen’s prior coverage at https://thebedfordcitizen.org/2014/07/18/static-over-bikeway-connection

At the August 12 meeting, Board members proposed strengthening the letter to highlight the Board’s dissatisfaction with the current plan designed by engineering consultants Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. (VHB). Watch the Citizen for updates concerning inter-Board communication and developments related to this project.

Appreciation of the Plannng Board’s summer intern

The Board also congratulated summer intern Pat Byrnes of Billerica, a student at Westfield State University, who volunteered with the board twice a week. Said Planning Director Glenn Garber, “I’ve probably worked with 50-60 interns in both the public and the private sector, and this young man has done a truly extraordinary job. He’s helped us create the most comprehensive database of our industrial properties so that we can make rational decisions when we completely rewrite our industrial zoning this fall,” among other projects.

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