Stormwater and timeline concerns discussed for the Residences at Hawthorne at Zoning Board meeting

The Residences at Hawthorne, a proposed chapter 40B apartment complex with 138 units where the Hawthorne Country Club used to be, has issues with the placement of the stormwater basins. The Zoning Board of Appeals also requested an extension on the last public meeting before making their decision surrounding the 40B. 

During the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting on Thursday, Jan. 9, the Zoning Board of Appeal’s peer-review engineer Kurt Karlson, pointed out that some of the stormwater basins are overlapping with easements for emergency access. This could make it hard for emergency trucks to have access.

The public were unable to verbally comment but the board stated they have read through a letter of public comment. They did not read this letter into the record. 

This is a Chapter 40B project, which is a Massachusetts affordable housing law that allows developers to bypass some local zoning laws to prioritize affordable housing. To qualify as 40B housing, 25% of apartments need to qualify as affordable housing.

The developer did not cooperate with the Zoning Board initially when they requested a month extension at the previous public meeting making their decision on this project. 

Without further extensions, this could be the last public meeting on the Residences at Hawthorne. After the last public meeting, the Zoning Board has 40 days to issue a decision on the project.

They requested to meet on Feb. 12, which petitioner Paul Cusson declined due to being unavailable. 

The board explained that if Cusson does not grant an extension for public meetings, they will be forced to consider many conditions and many waivers may not be granted. The board and Cusson went back and forth before Cusson agreed to an extension.The board will now meet on Thursday, March 26.

At this next meeting, Chair Michael Medeiros stated the public will be allowed to voice concerns.

The project engineer, Christian Farland, explained that they cannot have a set plan until they know exactly what the Zoning Board will approve. They do not need this information until after the Zoning Board’s decision, as the apartment numbers affect the catch basins but not vice versa. With less apartments, they will need less stormwater basins

There will be a number of catch basins, drain manholes, and pipes connected to stormwater detention basins. This meets the state and town stormwater requirements. 

The basins will have retaining walls near parts of the basin, where there is more downgrading. These are for safety concerns, and the tallest would be about four feet. 

Director of Public Works Tim Barber pointed out two of the sloping areas for the basins overlaps with easement areas, which are meant to be level for emergency vehicle access. Farland stated that the sloping does not overlap with any of the three manholes in the area. He said that they are willing to discuss this further in the planning process, once the number of buildings has been confirmed and approved.

One concern raised is that there is a stream going through the property, and whether development will cause the stream to flow toward one homeowner’s property. Farland stated their calculations show there will be less flow with development. 

The wetland studies conducted by Farland’s company are good until March, although he stated he does not anticipate the wetlands changing and needing any different engineering plans. 

Farland stated that there are no wastewater concerns. There is a direct 27 inch pipe connection under the property, which has the capacity to handle the extra flow. 

Farland stated they estimate the development will push current wastewater management sites to just over 80% of their total flow capacity, and the pressure currently meets requirements. 

The issue of a secondary means of emergency access was brought up again, restating that the developer wishes to use Fairway Drive, a private drive, as a means of emergency access. While the fire department  has the legal authority to go wherever they wish, the zoning re-clarified the developer does not have the right to claim this drive. 

On Thursday, March 26, the board will meet again for what could be the last public meeting on the Residences of Hawthorne.