Pepperell Planning Board Continues Scotch Pine Farm Hearing, Orders Duplex Permits Refiled

PEPPERELL — September 17, 2018 — Pepperell Planning Board continues Scotch Pine Farm development hearing, orders duplex permits refiled individually. The board voted unanimously at its September 17 meeting to continue a public hearing on a common driveway special permit for the former Scotch Pine Farm at 32-34 Shirley Street and 87 Elm Street — proposed for up to four duplex buildings serving eight units — to October 15, after engineer Jack Visniewski of Cornerstone Land Consultants acknowledged outstanding stormwater calculations, unresolved fire protection requirements, and missing drainage details. Planning consultant Lisa Davis advised that the companion duplex special permit, filed as a single application covering four lots, was legally defective because "a special permit goes with the lot, and there's no way you could divvy one special permit up for four lots." The board accepted the withdrawal without prejudice of the duplex filing and indicated the applicants would refile individual special permit applications for two lots, with a hearing no earlier than November given the required 35-day advertising window. In separate action, the board unanimously approved a $201,948 bond for Heritage Estates Phase 2, lots 8 through 21, as set by the town engineer.