Planning Board signs off on Greatland sustainability package, advances Hilltop tree removals

WESTON — January 19, 2022 — Weston Planning Board accepts Greatland's 20-year carbon-offset and mass-timber pledges for Riverside lab. Developer Greatland told the board Jan. 19 it will opt buildings at 9, 15 and 20 Riverside Road into Weston Power Choice at the 100 percent renewable tier, buy 20 years of carbon offsets for natural-gas use, raise EV charging to five percent of parking (44 spaces) and study cross-laminated timber for the new Building 15. Gensler's Todd Dundon said the project "could very well be the first mass timber spec lab building in the Commonwealth." The board also closed a hearing on five tree removals at 45 Hilltop Road (sparing one with a healed wound) and, with Chair Leslie Glynn recused, directed staff to require a performance bond at the 255 Merriam Street Hallett Hill development. Elderly Housing Committee Chair Tom Timko previewed a $250,000 spring Town Meeting CPA request to design a 14-unit Brook School Apartments expansion against an estimated $6.9 million total project cost.