Weston ZBA defers 40B vote, takes traffic and stormwater testimony on 200-unit project

WESTON — December 14, 2021 — Weston ZBA presses 40B applicant on sight lines, walls and a modeled two-foot groundwater rise. The Zoning Board of Appeals on Dec. 14 continued its review of a 200-unit Chapter 40B project at 510, 518 and 540 South Avenue from 518 South Avenue LLC, with 50 affordable units on 9.54 acres. Chair Jane Carlson deferred architecture and landscape testimony after peer reviewer Cliff Boehmer was unavailable. Traffic engineer Greg Lucas of Environmental Partners told the board the applicant abandoned a 45 mph "conservative" design speed for a 41 mph figure, falling short of required intersection sight distances of 430 and 495 feet. Civil peer reviewer Tom Houston flagged a modeled two-foot groundwater rise on abutting properties and called a centerline bioswale on the 20-foot emergency access drive unacceptable. The applicant's revised plan raises the building three feet, imports 22,000 cubic yards of fill and adds retaining walls up to 11 feet. The board scheduled a Dec. 20 meeting to set January hearing dates.