~North Street 40B on ZBA Agenda

Please attend the Zoning Board Meeting on Thursday, March 23 at 7:00 PM at the Duxbury Town Hall or on Zoom. It is expected that this will be the last public hearing meeting regarding the 28 unit 40B development on North Street. This is a very important meeting to attend to share your concerns about this proposed development!

Many issues were brought up with newly revised plans at the last meeting on January 12, 2023.

The Duxbury Design Review Board was not happy with the the changes which included replacing four single-family units with two identical duplex units with two car garages across the street from each other. These units would be on North Street close to the Keene/North four way intersection. The Design Review Board suggested reducing the number of units instead of creating duplexes.

A ZBA member asked how the developer would deal with water getting into homeowners' basements. Grady Consulting responded that those homes might need sump pumps or exterior protection. The pictures below have been shared with the Zoning Board of Appeals to demonstrate the flooding that occurs on a regular basis after rain storms in the area where they plan to put four units.

Neighbors raised concerns about the septic system for the 20 units further up North Street. This septic system is not a simple, single family septic system. It is designed for 30 homes. For a system this size, there are evaluations and assessments that should be done yet the ZBA is being asked to waive Board of Health regulations. In addition, the proposed septic system would move 6,600 gallons of waste a day and appears to be within 200 feet of a private drinking well which was not included on the development plans.

In response to concerns about the number of bedrooms for each unit, Health Agent Tracy Mayo wrote in a letter to the ZBA that a bedroom is defined as a room "providing privacy intended primarily for sleeping". It should be a minimum of 70 square feet, have electricity and a window. The plans provided clearly shows that the "bonus room" on the second floor should be considered as a FOURTH bedroom. All septic plans should be submitted for four bedroom units. The project should be considered as 112 bedrooms and the septic system should be evaluated accordingly.

No new information has been filed with the Town Hall about the proposed development with responses to these concerns.

If you are not able to attend in person, please join via Zoom Meeting ID: 936 1632 7348 PW: 943482.

Thank you!