Pepperell Planning Board Continues Robinson Hollow Hearing, Finds Hollis Street Permit Valid

PEPPERELL — October 28, 2019 — Pepperell Planning Board continues Robinson Hollow subdivision hearing and rules that a contested Hollis Street special permit has not lapsed. The board opened a public hearing on the Land West Incorporated proposal to build eight single-family homes on 31.8 acres at 110 South Road, with engineer Devin Al of Beals Associates presenting seven waiver requests covering drainage pipe cover depths, detention basin screening, curb type, and sidewalks. DPW Superintendent Ken Kalinowski's October 21 memo stated flatly that if the 748-foot cul-de-sac road is submitted for public acceptance, the DPW "cannot and will not support" it under the proposed Low Impact Development drainage design, and called for a homeowners association to manage the drainage system. The board continued the hearing to November 4 at 7:15 p.m. and asked the applicant for cross-section drawings of four disputed driveway culvert crossings. On the Hollis Street matter, the board voted 4-1 to find that OSRD Special Permit 2011-06 — granted February 2016 for a 30.46-acre parcel — had not lapsed, crediting attorney Melissa Zanadakis's argument that conveyance of more than 70 percent of the land to Fish and Wildlife in 2016, plus tree clearing, survey work, and delivery of drainage and sewage structures in 2017-2018, constituted substantial use under a 2009 SJC ruling; Town Counsel had opined in writing that the permit had in fact expired.