do the pledge and not it's not allowed. Sorry to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. Mr. Ron. Okay. So, we're here for the planning board meeting Thursday se uh 2025. Uh we have an agenda. Um [Music]
the uh first board business is our minutes of prior meetings. Uh we have two meetings that we have minutes of the September 4th, 2025. I would uh like to compliment all of you on getting along without me on that
meeting. Uh do we have any comments on the minutes for September 4th? Can I hear a motion to accept those minutes? I'll make the motion. A second.
All in favor? I I Okay. The next uh um set of minutes we have are the joint uh meeting we had with the charter
commission uh on the 29th and it was very interesting um and several issues came up that I think we should talk about and I'd like you all to bring things forward that you think uh we might um want to look at further
In the meantime, are there any comments on the minutes? [Music] Not hearing any comments. Uh, can I have a motion to accept the
um minutes of the joint meeting with the charter committee? I'll make a motion that we accept the mass presented. I'll second. All in favor? I. So, um, what did you all take away from
that? You all had, uh, not all of you, but most time had comments. Um, and can you reiterate like the things that Well, I guess I should say what can we as a board what what is within
our board's perview relative to the comments that we had at the meeting. Um, as I recall, there were um performance review comments. Um there were
uh term limit comments. Um there was uh well if you look at the minutes it's no I know but I but you you you were active in um in bringing things forward.
So I just want a chance to talk about Thank you. So from the perspective of our um board, I think it had to do more with
uh term limits and and how to deal with absences, excessive ab absences of any board. I don't think we've had a problem in a while. Yeah. But nonetheless, there should be some level of understanding as to what too many means.
And then I think the rest of the comments have to do related to um staff and staff support. So, for example, staff not having anou anymore, but rather just
reporting directly to town administrator and then having the clarity around the organizational structure such as who goes to whom for what kinds of questions. And what Daryl had said was
that we go ahead and separate um policy to the board and then execution to staff as a sort of a general as a general. Yeah. Yeah. Um there was also
Oh, just went out of my head. There was one more thing that we talked about. Oh, the email access. Yes. So, email access and training would be some of the things that staff could help us with to make sure that
they were receiving information and receiving training, especially when coming on board as a new member. That was interesting because I none of us ever had much if any
um correct. Not I mean none other than maybe being told to go get sworn in. Yeah. Uh okay. It So how do we And then um the the
last thing was something important that you brought up and that is our term our term being five years versus something less than. Yeah. Uh okay. So, what should we
Well, okay. And do you have thoughts on term limits? Do you have uh I I've asked around I I got some info from you know Salarini of the park and wreck was watching it and he sent you know the
we do we did or do have anou which basically delegates our um hiring performance review to the select board which then delegates it to
the um town administrator, right? Town administrator or designate, right? For the last several years, it's been either TA or ATA. And they in this memo from the when they put all this together about 10 years
ago, they said there were two two preferred ways and one way could be done uh where where you basically designated to the administrator directly would have to be done by bylaw or um home rule. So the charter commission
could recommend that we do that which would you know um eliminate all of the fuzziness and you know going on. Um what do you feel about the terms and the term
limits? I I think that our term of five years is a long time. Um I do think that if it can be lowered even by a year, three to four years because as you said during that charter meeting, it takes a while
to get a project done and that institutional knowledge um then tends to go away. But I think that it could be difficult to recruit other residents who think, yeah, five years is
just too much. And then in terms of term limits, I do believe that 10 to 12 years should be the max that any one individual should serve on any board, not just this one. Okay. Um Bartlett, do you have any comments?
Well, I wasn't there, so I can't really comment on what happened. I I think that 5 years is a long time, but I think um at least in my case, it's taken me a long time to sort of get up to speed and
and um I think by the time my four years is up, I'll know what I'm doing. Um I'm not sure about term limits. Um I've been on um a couple of boards longer than I can
remember. 15 to 20 years on one of them. Um, and I don't see that as a problem. Um, so I think institutional memory is
important and I think um I don't see anything wrong with continuity. I I mean I it can get out of hand, but I don't want to make a rule against it on that basis.
And to just address what you just said, my point was on elected terms, not not non-elected roles. So, for example, um PNBC or CPC,
but to elected positions. Yeah. The theory would be that if that the incumbent is always going to have an advantage unless, you know, they've done terribly. um which would tend to
discourage new new voices coming forward for an elected position. I don't know if that's the case, but that's the theory. Well, okay, Mark, you've been you've been how many years?
33. I think I've been on this board for 33 years. Yeah. 34. I couldn't. Oh, I knew that. 92, right? 1992, three new members were elected,
Mark Muren, and Tim Goddard, right? And um one person that was running didn't get in, right? And went instead to the appeals board for 92. So we've been on since '92 for
33 years. Um, having said that, I think five years is a long time nowadays. Um, it's hard for people who want to serve on a board to
commit five years, I think. So, I I would be in favor of looking at other alternatives. Um, even if it was staggered, like the old days, wasn't it three, four, and five? as far as
No, it was always five here. Yeah. Right. But there happened to be three openings one year because two people resign staggered because we all had different years. Um Um so maybe we do it staggered three, four and five years. So you can pick a
whoever's up if you want to rock. I do think you need to be here beyond it for a while um to learn what needs to be learned. Back in the day we all went to courses. We all took continuing courses. We all went as a group. As a matter of fact, back in the early days, we uh
would all carpool together. We'd go to the seminars at uh the one in Sagas and where we all over, but we went for a bunch of years for that to learn it. And then the handbooks came out. We also got a book as soon as we, you know, we got a zoning book. You know, now everything's
online. Uh, and Marin back in the day used to do a cheat sheet for everybody, too. That maybe wouldn't be such a bad idea. Used kind of a highlight of what we're looking at, what we're talking about. Well, we're sort of doing that now, right? Trying to get cover that now with
the um agenda cover sheet. Yeah, kind of. But you yours is more of a Well, I would do one for the whole meeting. This is separate ones for each application that we're doing now. Um, as far as term limits, um, I think from an
elected standpoint, um, if somebody wants to run, they should run. And if they want to serve, they should serve as long as they're able, as long as they're elected.
I don't see a need for a term limit. Not that I have a problem one way there. I don't. Okay. And I'm I'm the, you know, the postage child for not having one. But I don't um I just think if you want to run and you want to serve the town of Littleton, you shouldn't be restricted
as to how to go about doing it. But I don't have a problem if you do restrict it to try to I get your point about an incumbent has a little more foothold for lack of a better word if you know if you're running an elect and people are
afraid to take on somebody that's already in the seat. Although I've I've had uh debate uh elections where I had run against other people. So it wasn't always but um that that I think that was about the the
upshot of most we did and getting back to Maren and her Marin for 10 years now has answered to originally she answered to us back in when Peter Scott and was it Ed Mullen decided that they wanted her to answer
to the select well the selectman wanted it to the town administrator at the time I think was it Keith wanted her to answer to them wanted more control over town government wanted Mar to answer to them and we took a vote and we said sure so they for 10 years or 12
years they've done her reviews um um HR has been involved town administrators been involved I guess sometimes the chair I I sat in on a couple of them in the early days so um
so I I think That's we've got that pretty much covered. If you want to finalize it, I'm great with that. Um, other than that, I think we, you know, think we we've done a pretty good job in the
Yeah, through it. The the process that process seemed to me like moving to a more um formalized employeefriendly process. Mhm. So we had the manager to report to and
to bring questions and concerns to rather than trying to work with the open meeting law and get a well not only that it was the you know you had it kind of the answer to the chair back in the back in the early days
really that's who you answered to right and policy is still at the direction of the board which is it is but I mean as far as the dayto-day day. Am I here or not? And yeah, that used to be a question. Oh, is Marvin there today? Yeah. Um, so yeah,
answering to town the town administrator's fine. It's worked out well for the past 10 or 12 years. One other thing that came up is the um was it was it did was it come up? Did it come up regarding the planning board?
But basically, why can't there be individual email accounts for Yeah. And apparently that's not going to happen. But um why is that? I don't know. We're told that it's not it's a budget thing. I think it absolutely should. But I
think we should all have email addresses that are tied to the town. Absolutely. Should have had it years ago. I think that should be a formal request in a letter to the select board and to the finance committee. I mean really the fact that they can't find money to give
us email addresses. They gave the charter committee email addresses. They give other boards and committees email addresses. Can we prepare a letter? Well, yep. Certainly. I mean, and this is the time of year to have that request um because it would go into the
there would still be the issue of uh because one of the issues I think is distribution of correspondence that comes in uh that if it come well anyway let's see if we can get addresses we can then determine
you know what the rule in other words are you saying like a general planning board. Okay. So, say Bartlett gets an email from someone and would it then be, you know, the protocol for him to
forward it to the rest of us or would it be there just for an individual? Do you see what I mean? I mean, if it's I think it depends. So, some questions can be answered by us if it's a question we can answer. If it's not a question we can answer, then
any time I get those, I would forward them to Marin or ask the resident to forward it to Marin in this particular case because we don't have that. We don't have an email that that goes to everybody. I think all the emails should go through Marin anyway to be honest with if you
want to give a resident your email address and have her deal with you direct, I think that's up to you. I but I think any we get our email addresses from town hall, right? Even if we had that, I still think if if you're going to send something to the planning board, it should go through the office.
And then then why would we need Well, so we still have an email address to respond to. And if we made that email address public to somebody, like you say, somebody at, you know, if you want to send me some information, send it. and you get it through a public email
address that's part of the planning board. I guess um I don't know if we should be I think I still think that anything that comes to the planning board or any one of us should actually have to go through Mar. I think that's
the correct part. Well, what do you think? Um I'm happy to work with however you guys would like it to see it set up and how you'd like to see it work. I don't want to ever be a stumbling block for anybody getting information or getting
their questions to the town. Um, if I happen to not be available or check email for a few days. That's true, too. There's always that. You don't want to run into that. Um, but So, how does the select board work? Do you know, Mark? That's a good point. How do you guys do
it? Do you are you contacted directly at a town email address? There is an email address select little ma that goes to all the select board members the town administrator um the assistant and um the executive
assistants right um typically things that come into the select board email are not responded to by the select board members individually if someone emails me specifically I will respond where how are they emailing you specifically is it a town issue yes okay
so that's the issue So that means we would then get a planning board general email that gets distributed to everybody like which we sort of have now don't we? Not really. We don't not really because it would have to come to you. Okay. Yeah. And then so that gets distributed
automatically and then as he as Mark just said he will sometimes still get emails directly to his town email address. So let's write a letter and
say this is we we would like something we want what they have. Yeah, we always have please request it. I think you should help. You can certainly request it and I would take this opportunity on it's behalf to say if if you have them you have to go
through the security protocols or risk getting getting it taken away. Okay. because of the insurance towns and municipalities. Well, any any public entity is is a target. Sure.
Sure. Okay. Um Okay. So, uh do we anything else on the matter of the meeting? Okay. Um are there any bills? Um there are two bills. one for a peer review for National Grid and the one
that I wrote in is office supplies um from and this is an example of something I don't see why this should be taking up planning board time I mean hearing time so at some point we'll revisit that
you just have to sign yeah pay them I think we trust her not that she just pay Yeah, we would never let him. He wasn't even there. Okay, so uh member input.
[Applause] What do we have? Um our Well, Northern Bank's really coming along. Do we have any Henry? Is there an opening date for the bank building?
No, they're closing in on it. They're doing all the finishes in there right now. So, I couldn't guess on I know they're dealing with mass deal dot, I guess, as far as the driveway goes and getting that permitting in place. So, I thought that was a month out for that.
Okay. Y um yeah, I you know, of course it's a big topic of a conversation in my neighborhood and people are pretty pleased. Um although I don't know why
the parking lot lights are on 24 hours a day. Um which is something I'll talk to you off the line. Um we we don't have anything currently on the ADU bylaw which will So we're starting to prep stuff for the November meeting.
We're waiting after the town meeting. Uh do we have anything in the town newsletter? Um we did uh so energy energy um small energy facilities sighting. Uh there is a new state law in
place that will require communities to permit um go through the permitting process for small energy facilities, solar battery storage um that are under 25 megawatt whatever. How does that relate
to the one that LL is talking? Um it would that size okay would would come for local permitting and anything bigger than that would go for statewide permitting. Um so it's kind it's a consolidated permitting process. Each board and committee will still have
their own perview. Um conservation and planning if board of health has any regulations related to energy facilities. um each board would still make their own decision but there would also be an overarching consolidated decision and that process would have to
be done within uh 12 months of a completed application. Okay. Um, so just kind of introducing that subject. I'm sure the town is just fascinated with that topic. Um, inclusionary zoning bylaw
discussion. Uh, what are we discussing? What's the issue? Is it relating to 550 king or just in general? I'm not sure I can say why. Okay. That's fine. Uh we have the fall town meeting which
for us is um pretty quiet. Um and then the town election, right? And I wanted to highlight those because of course the Shaker Lane school funding is um need votes at both the fall town meeting and
the town election. Okay. Uh final under board business is public input. Is there anyone here? Rob, you should identify yourself even though we all know you. Rob Brown, 25 Jennifer Road. Uh, thanks
for coming to the charter me. I'm here as a resident, not any other capacity. Um, I am advocating as a resident for the Shaker Lite School proposal. Vote yes. I think there's countless reasons. I encourage you if you're not informed
to get form prior to the meeting. Um, I suspect you're all very informed. Um, I just heard your reference with regard to nightlighting. I want to give you a heads up that Littleton Conservation Trust is in the process of booking a
professor from MIT uh presentation I suspect I saw two years ago with regard to dark skies. It's it's quite informative and and helpful from different perspectives. So, I think you might find that interesting, beneficial. Um along the way why I
really want to be here tonight and comment was along the way of advocacy for Shaker Lane. I uh went to the disabilities commission and it was an interesting experience over a couple of meetings. Um the gist of it at disabilities along with experience that
I had with park and recck commission was that um disabilities and park and wreck I think both found themselves wishing or wanting inclusion with regard to building proposal
long before it came to them. And so specifically with regard to disabilities, they've got new member. I think there's really very positive things that this group can provide and they seem to emphas emphasize how early
involvement is helpful. I've attended a number of your meetings or watched them on TV as LCTV as well and I know that you're quite responsive with regard to trying to get citizen comments and concerns presented to developers etc.
And so I would just encourage as as you get into the 550 King Street later on tonight that I know there's going to be an update. I think somehow getting groups together and I'm trying to take the advantage of this you know two three minutes here as trying to encourage that
getting groups together proactively so we don't find ourselves um down months you know half a year from now doing a I wish we had the opportunity so I just want to take advantage because I think I often hear you folks recommending groups
get together and so I want to take advantage so thanks for your time. Thank you. Thank you. Okay. Anyone else? Uh the next scheduled item uh is a continued public hearing 64
Reverb Road. They have asked that it be continued to Thursday, November 13th. Um do we have to vote on that? Um if you would. It's helpful. Okay. Can I have a motion? I make a motion that we continue with the 64B the
book road till November 13th. Second. All in favor? I. Okay. Isn't I mean Daryl isn't going to make it tonight. Uh our next agenda item for 645 which we
have passed is a discussion collective cannabis request to amend hours of operation and additional storage space. Good evening. Um Dave Geonetta, CEO, owner of um Community Care Collective,
Inc. DBA Collective Cannabis located at 537 Great Road. Um I just wanted to start off by apologizing actually for our uh lack of representation um at the last planning board meeting uh
September 4th. Uh that was my misunderstanding and um so I hope that didn't cause uh much inconvenience for everybody. So I do apologize for that. Um so this evening uh we are proposing an amendment to our current hours of
operation uh by adding one hour uh one additional hour in the morning to have our opening hour be 8:00 a.m. instead of 9:00 a.m. And that would be uh still Monday through Sunday.
Um, we did receive an email of support um from Chief uh Pinard. His exact response being, "Mr. Gianetta, since the inception of Collective Cannabis in Littleton, we have had no issues at your location. Based on that, I have no concerns with
your request to extend operating hours by 1 hour, opening at 8:00 a.m. and no reason to oppose it. I have CCD the town administrator, James Dugen, on this response." Um, so that was uh the chief's response um to that and uh so
we're just uh seeking an approval from the board this evening to allow for the extension of our operating hours by 1 hour. Okay. And the other part of this discussion is um creating additional space.
Yes. Would you like me to speak about that all together? Okay. So additional storage space um is uh another topic for this evening. So we've reached a point with our business um where we have three individual stores uh including
Littleton. Um each store has limited storage space uh just based on the the way the buildings were built or how they were fit out. Um, so what we've done is we've signed a lease uh with our landlord in Littleton to utilize additional space in the rear of the
building uh which is existing warehouse space. Um, as you can see on the uh floor plan, it would be the um area shaded in pink. Um, I can actually give a just a quick review of this plan. So area shaded in
green is what we call our front of house. So that would be um most of the areas that customers can access. Uh basically we call that the sales floor. Um that would be the space in green. The
space in purple is what we call back of house. So that would not uh that would be limited access to only employees and certain employees in certain areas. I won't go into too much detail, but um this is all part of the um the special
permit that we're under. Um and then the pink space is the uh proposed uh space for uh storage purposes. Um so uh the space in pink will be predominantly used
for uh non-cannabis items. Um as I mentioned, we have we have three stores. So everything that we do is multiplied by three. Uh so that's seasonal decor like uh Christmas trees
um you know things you would see in regular retail uh businesses u mannequins Halloween decorations um clothing merchandise t-shirts sweatshirts sweatpants etc. uh archived files uh that were required
to maintain uh by regulation such as waste logs, visitor logs, employee files, uh overflow of floor display carts, other carts used for uh daily product movement, um paper products, paper towels, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, etc. Uh dry product
packaging, um folding tables, chairs, pop-up tents for events. The these are the types. I'm just trying to give you a visual of the items that we're intending on storing. And if you could picture that that, you
know, each store in their own respective location will typically need to be responsible to store those items. Um, we've we've gotten to the point where we have off-site storage of these items at this point. So, it what this will do is it'll help us uh create some efficiency,
uh, keep it all under one roof, so to speak. Um, that type of thing. Um the space uh will also be used for storage of cannabis. Um and that's mo mainly what brings me here today. Um so um we have the same storage restraints at our
other locations with cannabis storage just as I was mentioning for non-cannabis. Um, so what we would do is we would uh store an overflow of cannabis products for each store to create greater efficiencies and uh increased buying power um from our
wholesale providers by storing in this uh one location. Um so what happens here is the cannabis control commission uh they will require what's known as an architectural review and um anytime you make any changes
under your existing license. So we have a retail license. So under that license we want to make a change um by adding this storage space especially where it includes cannabis products. um we have to um file for an architectural review.
And so as part of the review um we we basically lay everything out how the space will be used. We show them this plan. Um we indicate the space that's going to be used for cannabis um purpose. Uh which really makes up about
I'd say about 25% of the space. But um with that where on the map um so if you were to come it just looking straight on at that screen at that plan uh come down there's we'll call it two almost two halves you have
that demising wall that runs in between uh keep coming um down from there. Uh best way to do it is take from that demising wall. Can you see that little dotted line that represents existing like barn doors that
are inside the space? If you could see that break in the wall. Uh the right side of that where that barn door opening is, draw a perpendicular line straight down toward the exterior and then everything to the right. So that does that tube?
Yes. Bottom right corner, if you will. Um it includes existing these three. They're called closets cuz that's really what they are. Um all of the the way that you see the space right now is exactly how it is and how uh we leased
it. Um so as part of this review with the um uh commission cannabis control commission we have to just give them a narrative and part of that narrative is there will be no building permit required because the the things that
we're doing there is more cosmetic like paint. um we would have to put up like a partition fencing uh to secure the product, but that doesn't require a building permit. So, that all being said, we were trying to be proactive and we had uh Commissioner
Fontaine come down to the space. Uh we walked him through the space. He's he's seen everything and it was just during our discussion that um he recommended that we have this conversation. So, I had said, "Well, you know, I happen to be going to the uh planning board on October 2nd to talk about the hours
amendment, so um maybe that's a good time to to talk about this." Um so, that's why we're here. Um so, that's that's pretty much it. Um we're not again, we're not changing that space.
We're not um nothing we're doing would require a building permit. Oh, and and I'm sorry, the the commission cannabis control commission will likely reach out to um Commissioner Fontaine and they're going to look for that verification. So rather than catch him off guard, we want
him to see the space, totally understand it, um more or less agree with that and say, "Okay, you know, if he gets that call, then he'll he'll understand what they're referring to." Do you have any comments?
No, I walked space. is sprinkled um meet meets egress requirements. So to me it seemed really good seems safe. Okay. Board comments Hannah on the two different Yeah. I don't have any concern about the
hours. Um I I think um where in the marijuana bylaw, the retail bylaw does it specify anything about space? What do you mean? So, in other words, we have our
marijuana bylaw. It talks about um retail. So, within that, does it talk at all about space? I thought we were just having an informal discussion tonight. I didn't think that we were actually going to be making any sort of decision. You're asking if warehouse space,
which storage is different from retail space, right, under our bylaw. in your you know the subtext is should we be discussing this at all? Well, I mean it's under the it's under the
jurisdiction of the canis commission. It's under the jurisdiction of the building commissioner. Um what do we have to say about it? All I'm saying is that I don't know what the bylaw says. I thought this was just an informal discussion, so I didn't
think we would be I, if I may, um, I thought this might come up. So, um, I'm citing, uh, section 173-200C in the Littleton zoning bylaw, uh, which is under the marijuana section.
Um, so this is, um, I'll just read it verbatim. marijuana establishment that seeks to expand or alter its operations so as to come within a new class or subclass of marijuana establishment as identified
935 CMR500 uh 050 um subsection D shall obtain a new special permit prior to undertaking such expansion or alteration. So we are not warehousing. We are still under our
retail license of which we're approved for. Uh so therefore we're not um seeking to alter to come within a new class or subclass. And uh as identified in 935 CMR that's referring to the um
the Cannabis Control Commission uh regulations of the different classes of licenses. So, we're not seeking a a different license. Um, this is by right uh with the Cannabis Control Commission. Uh, we can store, we just have to amend
with them where we intend on storing these products and which we will do so through what's known as an architectural review. So, that's part of this whole process. Um, they will require certain security, you know, cameras, um, access
control, uh, all of these types of things. So we would have to go through them. Um I mean I can definitely uh commit to providing the board that approval when that approval comes. Um
but uh we are certainly not looking to um alter our license. Our license would remain as a retail license. This won't um change any flow of traffic. It won't increase customer count. it won't increase impact. It's it's storage.
That's all it is. Okay. And um part of the reason why I ask is because that is a very large space and and I know that you're saying that only the lower right hand side is what's going to be cannabis storage. So correct.
All right. 20 I'd say 25% of that cube 25% would be cannabis. 75% would be I'll say non-cannabis and walking space like working space to uh arrive at those um
two classifications of storage. Mhm. Bartlett. Thank you. You're welcome. Um really no no objections. Uh I mean storage of stuff is part of your retail
operation and this is just making it bigger. So I don't see that that we have any issue with it. Mark, I agree. I it makes facilitates their operation. Cannabis is going to look at the security aspect of it, which is about
the only thing we would even have a have a private to. Um if they're okay with it, then we should be okay with it. If Henry's okay with it, we should be okay with it. I just say let them send it to the cannabis people and um if they get approved, great. not then they don't get
the uh can't they get the regular storage I don't think they need need anything for that but if they want to increase the host holding of the product I have no problem with that it's these are like liquor stores they need space to store their product
so um we have two issues before us and the question is um do we even need a motion for the storage space and it may seem seem like we don't that this I don't think we do
this has been brought before us asformational. Um if if we want to take a motion that's fine but we could not and just say thank you for bringing us along. Yes, we do
want to see the cannabis commission's approved plan. Um, so I'm going to do the first part. Um, I I want a motion that we approve the applicant's request to amend their hours of operations. Can I have a motion?
So, I'll make a motion. Make a motion that we add one hour today in the morning at 8:00. Second. Uh, all in favor? I. Okay. Now, as for the second one, what do we think? Do we have a
problem with just I think you said it. Thanks. and and let us know when you get the cons. I can commit to that. Um I'll provide uh the it's a and it's what it sounds like. It's an approval. So it'll be like a letter format. You've been approved for
and if you would maybe attach this plan and just put a line where uh indicate the space graphically. Sure. Yeah. And do that. Are we okay with that? Yep. Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you very much.
Okay. Next, um 550 King Street update from development team. Good evening board. My name is Morgan Pearson, senior vice president of development for companies. Um also on the team here is Gary Armstrong, our
head of construction, and Mary Leapolei, head of policing and part of the development team as well. Um, thank you for bringing this up, Cooper Martin. Um, the last time we met, we talked about coming back to the board, providing uh an update in general, but also
specifically uh both a visual and a and a a graphical uh representation of how we were seeing next phases coming about 550 King Street. So, if we could advance the uh the So, this is the approved site
plan as as you may all recall and um I I forget which board member requested it, but a visual of what we were going to focus on. So, the next slide represents what we're calling phase one of the retail village and we're focusing on this section in particular. um which is
actually uh I think really good news because in times past we were looking to perhaps phase this a little bit more gradually but as I may have mentioned to the board in the past we've um brought on an incredibly experienced retail
consultant and um Mary myself and part of the in the team have been going around the country speaking to retailers as I may have mentioned in the past and their input um and both and our consultant has been build a critical mass here, create a critical mass for
the retail. Um, and even more importantly, there's a ton of interest to come to Littleton in this project in particular. So, that has given us the confidence um and the enthusiasm to I think make this first phase larger and
look to build more of the project faster and deliver deliver more of the retail sooner. So, that's the retail village phase one. Um, the other piece which we've also spoken to the board about in the past is phase one of the residential which is shaping up to look very similar
to what you see here which is these two buildings and the parking garage as well. Um, and that um is also something we've talked about in the past and and focused on and and we hope to be in front of the board on that in the near
future as well. The next slide is um a little bit more of a detailed uh outline of how we envision this happening. Um it is our best understanding at this moment in time as we continue to advance design
um and look at what is possible in the site and get into the details of the project. I think it's self-explanatory, but I'm I'm happy to kind of verbalize what we're trying to show here, which is for the retail phase one, we are uh hoping
and our goal is to be in front of the board in mid to late November with the sorry to submit to the board in mid to late November and then hopefully be in front of the board um with a site plan for site plan review for the retail piece in December. Um, that's what we're
all pushing for internally. Um, working with our design team and our engineers and our landscape architects to be able to submit something into late November. Um, and the residential is shifted a little bit past that. Uh, it's a little
bit more of a complex project, but we're we're uh elbows deep in that process as well. And so that you see that shifted out a little bit more. And then we've taken um a stab at just outlining what the design and construction process will look like
and when we hope to deliver those uh those buildings. So I maybe I'll pause there. I see if there's any questions for the board. Happy to talk about other things or answer any questions that might be out there, but wanted to be responsive to the last request. Uh and I hope this
this at least provides some more insight. Thank you, Hannah. So I I did have a question about the timing. So um based off of the project phasing that was done back in April of 24 and then the the June 24 special
permit. So it looks like the residential um piece is starting one year late for construction and then ending two years later. Can you tell us why this is happening? Sure. I mean, I think there's many many
factors, but one of the conversations we've been having with um town staff is the I think um extraordinary effort by uh both LWD and um our own team to put
in the infrastructure. Uh I think it's been uh I think known by everyone since the beginning that without the infrastructure improvements, without the wastewater treatment plant, without our ability to connect into that new system,
we cannot um capitalize these projects, we cannot get a bank to sign on um and we cannot uh because we cannot say when they can open, when they can hook into that. Now obviously tremendous progress has been made. Our understanding right
now um although you know has shifted of course is that that look is looking to be potentially November but I don't know if that's fully finalized yet and I know everyone's working towards that. So um the good news is there's been a lot of progress on the uh infrastructure but
there was never going to be an ability to start without having more clarity on when that infrastructure was getting finalized. So, I'm not sure if anyone's been to the site recently, but it is it is very exciting to see uh not just the the wastewater sewer improvements and the utility improvements, but also the roadway improvements, which are also
critical to being able to have PAT sites ready for the residential and the future retail. Isn't the exist excuse me, isn't the existing sewage treatment plant where the the uh That's also right. Yes. Residents going to go? Absolutely. That's a great point. and
that cannot be demolished until we can unhook from it because it's currently serving the the old IBM buildings which I think is the board notes is is occupied and we're currently leasing up. So there's that moment where it's it can't be shut down and then work and then we click it on. It's really got to be like a light switch where you sort of
un unhook and hook in um at the same time so there's no loss of service. But I guess from what you explained, it sounds like you had this time. You had this timeline and the infrastructure is going to be done in November. So
I I we hope it it's going to be done in November. That's right. Yeah, that's what we've heard. I mean, last year it was um I think sooner than that. Even a year ago, we were told it was June. So um you know, it's something that sort of has to be definitive, not hopeful. So, what you're saying is that this is on
LWD, not on we're we're I'm not here to sort of point fingers. I'm just explaining the circumstances when we're trying to navigate um in order to try to deliver some of these buildings. Okay. And then so if we're starting one year late, then why are we ending two
years later? Well, the buildings, any building like this typically takes 20 to 24 months, and Gary certainly can correct me. I'm sure. Um, but this is in keeping with what the market is to deliver buildings of this complexity.
Gary Armstrong. Um, I think there's a couple pieces to it. There's there's actually two buildings and a garage that are being built in this first phase. So, um, there's actually a little bit more on the parking infrastructure as well. And, um,
I think all of that combined is what's adding a little bit more time to the timeline. Okay. Because I hope you see what I'm saying. If we're starting a year later, then you would think you would end a year later, not two years later. Yeah. And and the the scope as a whole isn't quite apples to apples. We we were
calling in phase one before. The pieces are just a little bit different. There's a little bit more to it. There's also the parking garage. So, it's a it's actually a little bit more in that first piece with the residential and the garage that's going in.
I I would also add that, you know, you one might accuse me of being a little conservative here. I don't want to uh overpromise and underdel. So I think we've maybe there's some cushion here. We certainly we hope to do better than this, but I wanted to give you something that we felt was realistic at this time.
Um thank you. So, my follow-up question then is the retail is actually going to be um done one year earlier. And so, is that also part of why the residential is now being delayed is because you're pushing the retail ahead one year again
based off of what the 2024 phasing plan said. Yeah. Yeah. And I and I would say the retail village and I I I'm a little bit fuzzy in exactly what was shown last time for total scope, but my guess is before it was showing on the opposite
side of the green and you probably had more in there. So, I think it's just a it's a case of the phase that we're going in with right now is, you know, now that it's refined and we're locked in on the pieces that we're doing based on the progress that Morgan touched on
earlier and has touched on in the past that Mary and the uh retail broker and team have been working on. We are locked in on this trunch of buildings and we're getting more comfortable with what that exact time frame is to do that. Okay. Well, the reason why I ask and
this is the the plan from April of 25 and also this is what's in the planning board decision from June of excuse me from April of 24 and June of 24 was the decision. So what used to be phase four and phase five is now going to be phase one and
will even be done before the residential. So that's a huge shift in what was originally being thought about and tell me again why. Yeah, I mean I think what we're reacting to is is the environment and the economic um realities of trying to build
something this complex. I mean I think with what that phasing project did was give what our best hope and aim was at that time and as is as as time has passed and as we've reacted to the market there's an opportunity here to fasttrack some things. We are very mindful of delivering the housing as
soon as we possibly can as well. Um and again it ties back to that some of some some of the hurdles and the uh sequencing that needs to happen. So um we hopefully we see that the retail which also comes with some housing as well is uh is viewed as a good thing that we're able to fasttrack some of
that sooner than than we otherwise would. Obviously the h the larger housing we're pushing as fast as we can on that piece as well. There will also be phasing in that. So, if there's an opportunity to open pieces as we go, we will look to do that as well, and we'll coordinate that with Henry and his
staff. But, as you, you know, when you look at what Morgan put up on the screen, it is one long bar for the design and construction activities. And as we get further into the design, those pieces will get broken down further. Multiple buildings, we
will likely occupy them as we go. So the actual opening will phase through that period of time. And Anna, sorry I I don't mean to interrupt, but I I figured it's helpful. Come to I um group group session over
here. I want to make sure you had mentioned that the question was is the residential being delayed because of the retail and that's not the case. the retail we've gotten so much activity which is a
positive thing for us from regional and national brands that it's given us the confidence to start earlier. So the the residential construction is not tied to the retail at all. That will continue to go and those are separate and that's
correct. They're separate totally separate. Isn't it a lot easier to build the the retail that it is a 10 story uh excuse me fourtory a four story it's 10 isn't it a fourstory apartment
well that's to the to the point of the phasing mark that's why I talk about the phasing because if you you know if you go back to the plan that was up there there are the first couple buildings that are just off the green are much smaller so those will be completed much
earlier clear in that long bar. The ones actually down the end that come with a parking garage are going to take longer to build and those will be a little bit later. And then when you come back to the actual residential village, yes, those are much larger buildings with a
parking garage. And the way that that phasing and sequencing of just the uh residential village will work is a parking garage will be fully erected with the structure before you actually begin the construction of the adjacent
buildings that have the apartments in them. So there's a there's a path through that. And again, these will continue to get refined and detailed with more information as we go. Um what's important right now is the you
know is the timing of actually getting in front with the package in November that the team is working towards which will then pave the way for the subsequent pieces. So I think we're coming in with more and more clarity on those pieces as the time goes on and we
will continue to share more and more detailed information as that design evolves as well. All I'm trying to say in my former life I dealt with mixed use. We built we did apartment buildings and we did retail. Y and the retail was always the the easiest component to it. It's two
stories. It's not steel. It's again the smaller buildings are but at the end of that retail village those are a little bit larger and they have the adjacent that's the reason they're going to be done first. I think one of the things that I look forward to is to be able to talk with
residents um when I'm talking about King Street Common about the positive aspects of it. And so, um, obviously folks have no idea what what to expect right now in terms of of the retailers that are going to be there as that hasn't been disclosed. So, what positive things
would you say we should convey to residents who are asking us about how's it coming along? Yeah. I mean, what I would say though, I think, and we've you've heard this a couple times tonight, is that it's hard to overstate how important and and how
positive it is that we have gotten the reception we have from the retail community, the industry. Will that then equate to earlier revenue for the town? For sure. I mean, we the way retail works and and Mark kind of alluded to this somewhat is that we need to have
some pre-leasasing done so that we can have banks help finance this and we can make make sense of it economically. We we no developer would build this all 100% on spec. So, getting interest from the tenants is the first step which has gotten us to start going on that piece. And the second part is getting some
leases signed which we're we're working on which is really exciting. and th those leases actually help other group other groups say well now I want to be next to that tenant because they're really interesting or we always go next to those people then that further builds interest as we're progressing design and that lets us start sooner and finish
sooner than fill the buildings. I don't think any community wants just retail that's sitting vacant. Um, and so this ensures that that's going and and I think we'd be having different conversation if Mary and I had gone to the Las Vegas and New York and Boston and had a reception of just the
crickets, but thankfully that is not the case. So I think what's exciting is that there's a lot of interest and that that will help that will allow us to have um the ability to be kind of more selective on what kind of stores go in here. Um, and there'll be stories that I think a lot of people will be excited about and
and will make this whole project even more interesting and more successful, which then helps, you know, I guess catalogs more more residential. It'll help fill some of the office buildings. It's all all connected. Thank you, Bartley.
Um I I my understanding at the beginning of this I mean a year ago was that the the the retail would be mostly small stores not not destination stores. So I was
wondering if that commitment still holds and and what the sort of normal size of a store in these buildings would be or how many stores would there be in one of those buildings? Absolutely. I mean the the the short sincere answer is yes. Um there's stores
that are 1500 ft²,900 ft² 2500 ft². Um the nuance the nuance I would just make to not overpromise to you on that is that a retail center like this also benefits from having what's called um blanking on like a minor anchor. Anchor
you have a junior anchor is the word which is which is you know maybe a store that's 10 or 12,000 square feet. Um, that's just one or a single one of those, but otherwise the the goal is to have this be many, many smaller storefronts. Um, and and that's tied to
everything I just said about all the positive things. Those are the kind of stores we're going to be interested. Now, there's also restaurants we want to put in here, too, which are exciting. Those tend to be more like 4,000 5,000 square feet um with outdoor seating. So, those are a little bit bigger, but um I think that's still the spirit of what you're saying.
I I think so. Yeah. I am excited that you're doing the retail. I mean, you were sort of not pushing the retail forward until recently and I think it will if you can
bring the housing and the retail up together, I think it will be better for your whole experience. Terms of the if you were to point to the type of retailers, I mean there's a place in Actton called
Brookside. I think it's Brookside something, you know, it's where Talbot's Trader Joe's, J Crew, Trader Joe's, etc., you know, and those are all national stores, but they're smaller. Is that what we're talking about, those type of stores?
Very similar. I mean, I can't imagine why any of those people in that thing wouldn't want to move out here. Um, very smart. Okay. and you know and I have noticed uh what's going on there that they they're
keeping pretty full even though that's not a fantastic location. So anyway, so maybe point them to Brooks. Is it Brookside? I don't know. I don't know the name of it, but I know it's where Trader Joe's is.
Yeah. Anyway. Okay. Um, I'm interested when you come before us with the, you know, the first site plan is the parking. I mean, you have to have this parking garage, don't you? I mean, to open the retail. Yeah, absolutely. And that's that's why
I mean, Gary sort of alluded to that, but I mean, if we could, you know, share our dream is that that would start construction in Q2 next year, um, and get going because that is a huge factor. And then the next thing that I'd like
some info on is what are you doing with the rest while this phasing I mean is it just going to be a you know piles of dirt or uh Yeah. I mean do you want to speak to that a little bit?
Yeah. You're talking about the parcels that Well, the parcels that the rest of the housing what is phase four going to look like while you're doing phase one? Yeah. I mean, there's there's obviously portions of it, especially while we're building this first phase of res residential and this first phase of
retail. There are portions of those uh other parcels that will be fenced in construction logistics area to support that work off of the roadways. So, uh that will for sure happen. But as the work winds its way down and it works
towards occupancy, then you know the intent isn't to leave a bunch of materials stored there between phases, but absolutely to use it uh for logistics during the construction process in a neat and tidy manner. I mean, that's going to, you know, it's going to
you're going to have to be renting and leasing and all that stuff and you know, anyway, that's absolutely that's a concern. neat, organized, enclosed in a fence with windcreen on it all. We're seeing this going on in the Northern Bank. They, you know, they're creating a material junk area and
whatever. Um, so I guess that's I guess that's my comment. I think that um you know what Anna was getting at is you know we're we're really dying for this housing uh and great about the retail but if
it's impacting the uh development of the housing which it's not gone um that's okay. Um Mark I'm excited about the retail because of the flyroughs that you did that showed
the walkability of it. I think the residents are going to want to see that before they see uh fourstory buildings going up and everything else. So, I think it's actually a better way to to phase it. Um and we get use out of it
while you're building the rest of it as well. I mean, you're going to open as soon as you can. You're not going to wait till there's occupancies in the apartments. Um um I know that it's been a long haul trying to get through Meepa through the through the water department
through the sewer tearing up all the roads and everything else like that. Um it's a lot of work. It's just the infrastructure of it before we even put a a a piece of steel in the ground has been correct
couple of years easily. So I'm excited that it's finally getting to the spring of next year. We're going to start seeing elevated stuff elevated. I I remembered what I was going to say. I have walked just recently on the site.
I can't say it's exciting. It's just a bunch of dirt. Have you walked since the paving and curving is gone? No, I have not. That was not If you walk now, it's exciting. I won't make a point. exciting. It was It was where uh I think I was
just looking where the Because where it's torn up is where the parking garage is going to go. Sure. Um and that is torn up, but where the new It's really exciting. It It is. It's exciting for us. We love construction because if you look at that parkway that
goes in front of the two residential uh buildings, you can actually see it taking shape. Well, that would be exciting. You can see the asphalt, you can see the curving, you can see the top soil in between. Now, it's going to be there through the construction of those buildings, but um you know, it it's the
definition of that first piece of the site and that that is exciting because that's the first opportunity. If we won't be chased off, we will love to continue. How are you in the MEPA process, by the way, that you're looking at? Yeah, we're in a we're in a great place. We are submitting in a couple weeks for
a final uh EIR and um looking for a final certificate December 1st. Um and and it's gone very well although as you sort of alluded Marks we're in our 12th month on that process. So well into that regard though there are a
lot of u there were a lot of public comments our comments as well and u they requested that you address those. So, how how what's the plan to do that? Yeah, they'll be addressed in the the response and and there's also been subsequent conversations based on those comments with Mass DOT and uh and the
MEPA staff. Okay. Um there's one particular comment that I wanted to bring up about that because I think it might just be an error, but I want to make sure it's just an error. So, in the deer report,
um this is a page from the deer report and it shows building S over here on the side which is 410 Great Road right so we get 804 plus 285 units is89
math makes sense totally understand it however in the secretary's certificate from August that is a current document we're reviewing um page 59 and other pages
identify by buildings R and S as um being on the 550 King Street side. And so RNS according to
the map from April of 24 would indicate that RNS will have 65 buildings and 200 or excuse me 65 residential and 285. So all I'm saying is the maps are need to be need to be sort of uh you
know better coordinated. Yes, you understood. So that may have been already being addressed but I will uh I will double check on that. So just to clarify, building S on this map will not have 285 residential units in it. That's that's correct. That's it's on based on that map. Yeah, correct.
Okay, that's what I thought. So absolutely we just need to make sure that we have the proper information because they're different. for sure. Yeah, you have I forget what the number is, but some large number of apartments in building C, which on this map is just
a little pavilion for wouldn't even be able to sell hot dogs out of it. So, I don't think you're going to get 50 or 100 units in it. You guys are going to love this when we update the site plan where we we've chosen numbers now, too. So, it's really going to confuse certainly not intentional, but it's it it's because of
those letters kind of confusing on our side as well. So we'll we'll we'll make sure those taken time. Thank you. I have one more comment about the image of the residential and one thing that we hear when we talk to residents is we the last big retail project was the uh point and
we have a whole line of retail which is empty and now I understand that's a different ownership and you know um you know there various reasons but I believe and you may um think the name is
those are huge spaces. If you look, you know, they they go back hundreds of feet and they're, you know, they have no problem renting the smaller units because there's been coming and going
and and so is that a reasonable way to look at the retail strategy is that you were specifically not going for huge um places because there may be less demand for those.
Yes. Yes. I mean, I don't want to speak about the point. I don't know the dimensions as you're suggesting them, but certainly are we have no intent to have the depths hundreds of feet um on this and and we are so PCA is our our design architect. They have extraordinary experience designing
retail. Is that used to be called privilege? It's the same. Okay. Easier to say PCA. No. Yeah. Yeah. No, they know what they're doing. And um and and we're working with David Cholinsky himself and and others on that team. They've done some of the most uh prominent retail that is successful
within the region. Um on top of that, we've brought in Jeremy Gman in the Gman Development Group who has also done uh extraordinarily successful retail as an owner and a broker and a manager of retail. So um and and Mary comes to us
with her own experience in in working leasing downtown Boston retail and commercial space. So with the the brains combined, it's in our interest to Jeff to make sure that that we don't have that kind of vacancy and if we do that those spaces are releasable very quickly. Um so certainly hear that but
uh I've seen those I've seen the space that you're talking about too and um well this is comes up frequently you know why are we building more retail when when that's just a different it's exactly exactly you're absolutely but the point also has septic issues
which is one that's a market issue. All right, we don't need to talk about that. Okay, I I have a couple of additional comments. I I just um as representing the the housing trust, I just would and
reading Rick's letter, which I had here um committing to, you know, following the the affordable housing commitment. Um I would just like to see a schedule of which units are going to get built when
and what phase and what buildings just so we have a point to to discuss. We had we talked about that earlier that there would be some kind of a schedule. Absolutely. I appreciate that. I I will tell you I have I I heard that I have a draft. I've been talking to Martin a
little bit um who's given me some more homework which is helpful. Um I I will uh commit to you that we'll bring something back. um the next meeting um I will say I think we've said it in the past so I'll just repeat it that phase one the intent is is nine units um of
the 300 plus in in that phase that is very much in keeping with the bylaws as we understand them and we think are as accurate that number will will escalate as we go but we build more um I think maybe phase three could be 50 or 45
units within the building once we hit that next threshold so we are absolely absolutely going to follow the letter of law from bylaws. Um I would just like to see Yep. Understood. Understood. And the other comment was, you know, there's been a number of comments about the trees and the greenery and you're taking
out and they're 302 large mature trees and proposing to plant 100 equal trees, which you know, I don't know where you're going to get 100 foot diameter trees that you can plant on site, but um I would like to see more trees and more
greenery and I'm just saying that that's an issue. No, we hear that and and we've made commitments as you suggest and Gary and I talk about trees more than most people. It's a little awkward, but um we we are committed to I'm an advocate. Yeah, I uh I'm the
biggest thorn in their side when it comes to the trees. Trust me. And uh there's a lot of wonderful trees over there that we have every intent of, you know, coming in and root pruning and spading and transplanting to other portions of the site cuz they're absolutely gorgeous.
So, there are some really nice trees. I walked it before you guys. 100% agree with you. And they're if we wanted to replicate them, they're expensive. So that's also incentive. Well, they're hard to find. Yeah. It or not. So we hear that appreciatively, Mr. Chair.
Per what Bartlett just talked about related to affordable housing. You know, we as a board have not come back around to talk about the actual bylaw and how we interpret it. Um, I'd like to
say that our bylaw section 173 212 say C says timing of affordable unit production. Affordable housing units shall be provided in proportion to market rate units in the development. So
shall in proportion to market rate units. In proportion means 10% is 10%. Yes. Exactly. So I I just don't understand why why we're not having the conversation about it as a
I would say that specific Well, first of all, I'm with you. I mean, we we're going to be talking about this at every meeting. Um but secondly, that's very vague because it does not it does not refer to phasing
because the ultimate proportion will be 10%. Yeah. It does not say anything about when and how in a multi-phase and maybe that's a deficiency of the uh and we in
a in a very small way we've been really bitten by this with a um development that was housing uh where we got to the end of it and um
they didn't well they refused. Well, and we think that we would have learned from we would have learned from it was one unit and we also thought one out of 20. Yeah. One and they also had more units still to build and we didn't know because they never told us that those other units
were never going to be built. We're looking at 90 units here. We're also looking at developer and correct me if I'm wrong. Are you still looking at other sites in this town to put the 90 units? Is that still I know you've been talking about that. Is that still We're very much open to that and we are.
Yes, we are looking for. So, it's not like they're not going to be there. Okay. There has to be a bit of a leap of faith because they're building. I'm sorry. I don't want to take a leap of faith. And and Mark, since the day I got on this board, you have been talking about wanting to provide housing for
seniors and now you're willing. And nobody has come through that door that has offered 90 units here. We have to kind of opportunity to That's all I'm trying to say. I want my 90 units, but I want them. That's but this bylaw exists and it's very clear. I just don't understand.
I totally disagree with you on and that's why we have to have a conversation. We don't need to have a conversation. We have a plan in front of us. You're going to get nine units off the bat and by the time they're done, you're going to have 90. There's no willing to have a conversation about it. Well, we are having a conversation.
What? What is this? That's it. Tell me. So, I do not agree with you. That's my part of the conversation. No, I don't agree with you. Okay, Mr. Harvey. But that doesn't mean there couldn't be more than nine,
but you're because your your uh point of view is there should be 30 or there should be 38 or there should be whatever. I'm reading it from what our own bylaw says and I read the same bylaw and I do not get because I'm looking at the total
number of this project. Like for instance, I don't well whatever and I am coming from the point of view that we will get there in the end
and that's what the bylaw says. I that's how I and in that that we'll get there at the end doesn't follow the bylaw which says that they should be provided in proportion and in proportion means just that.
Well that's so vague. It's not vague. So in the first proportion what what proportion portion of 1:1 1 to 5 to 10 1 to 20 50 already said it's 10% 10% right so if
we're going to be having 297 I believe in the first phase then we should be having 29 we have a draft decision do that so that's my perspective based off the bylaw based on the bylaw
and my perspective based on the vague bylaw is that it is not that proportion is not it applies to the totality of the project not the phasing of the project. This is sort of and the bylaw wasn't written for this project.
Right? The bylaw is silent on the on the timing. Now you can make the argument about the bylaw which I don't think is a strong one but you can also make the argument yeah we want more in the first phase. And one of the things that comes out is
that we in the previous meeting which I couldn't attend, we talked about ownership, you know, the parcel ownership. And one of the big pitfalls in a project like this is if
you guys lose the project, walk away from the project, don't complete the project, and we do not have the um the units that we were promised because of
not doing the in proportion per phase. So that's something we have to balance and no one is looking everyone wants this project to succeed and I'm sure part of your issue is you have financial
considerations that you have to meet to make it succeed. But you know we're taking a big risk because this project to a large degree was sold on the creation of affordable housing.
I mean there are a lot of reasons but that was one of the main and in terms of the number of housing units that are being built on this site. So so if we're if we're having this discussion I would like to understand what Mr. Harvey's perspective is.
Well, my initial reading agreed with you that 10% is 10% and it should follow as we go along, but that's not what the bylaw says. The bylaw is silent on that how we get to that 10%.
So, it can be read any number of ways. So, I don't think that we can force that the first 300 we get 30 units. I don't think we can force that because it doesn't say that. Can we get more than nine? However, I
mean, we this this is a valid concern because we don't know in the future um what's going to happen. I mean, one of the reasons why we have two projects in this town that are complicated and involve a lot of facing. We have the
Northern Bank project and we have your project. Both of them are extremely complex and ambitious, you know, in their different contexts. In my view, the thing that got support, and the Northern Bank is right in my front yard, I'm very affected by it, is
because the companies that were proposing it were essentially family-owned companies with a good track record, and they weren't going to permit it and then sell it and walk away. That made a difference. And by the same
token, um, you know, I don't think you want to damage your, you know, the good feeling that, uh, and, you know, I I'd like I So, so that's a conversation and I don't agree
with you on your reading of the bylaw, but I do agree with you on pushing for more in the first phase. That's exactly why I wanted a schedule so we could have something specific to talk about. That's something good to work off of, for sure. Yeah. not going to agree with it no matter what it is, but I want to
have it so we can talk. We want we want Well, and whatever it is is going to change as you can appreciate because it's one building might go from 250 to 225 units or we're only going to build 170 in this one next phase. It depends on I mean the the market is a huge factor as you pointed out Jeeoff. I mean the
this is a this is a it's a real it's a really critical part of getting these things out of the ground and getting built. Well, the the other thing is is that you do I I know you're creative and you were trying to work through this particular
building and you know that and and um so anyway work hard to try to do better. So I I have one additional question. um you're allowed to build affordable
units offsite and I'm just wondering what your thinking is on how much you would like to do onsite and offsite because my view is that I'd like to have a lot of them or most of them or all of them at 550.
Okay, that's good feedback. I mean there was a point where as we you all know there was talk of trying to put a large right portion of them here as deeply fe affordable senior housing. We were very much open to that. I mean, I I think our position is we we want to be responsive
to the town and we want to do something that the majority of people want. I think we obviously are realists. We there's going to always going to be someone who doesn't want one thing or the other, but if we are able to do some offsite, I think and and it benefits and it creates um a senior housing uh
development that is beneficial to the people who occupy it who who want to live next to each other. You know, that sounds that sounds like a win-win for everyone to us. Uh what that number is, whether it's 40 or 30. I mean, I think part of it depends on what the site would be. I mean, this this building I
maybe could handle 30 or 40 units. Uh you know, some somewhere else maybe could only handle 15. Um and does that make sense? So, I what I would say is we're open to to all of that and we're open to studying those things if if it makes sense. Um but but uh but I understand
your point. I think one of the ideas that perhaps you all should be considering is um the company called Lab 9 here in Littleton that does u modular apartments
and I think you right and so if their idea to be able to put up to 30 units on less than one acre where sewer is is available makes sense then have that discussion. And that could go a long way toward
solving both of our perspectives. That is making sure that our seniors are actually getting housing now before they're not here anymore. And then second of all, being able to, you know, mark that off your list as something that you're making progress toward.
Sure. Less than one acre. You have 40ome acres over there. So I would think that that would be something that you would hopefully consider. and you remarked about um seniors in community and that is sort of my concern about
sprinkling them throughout the 800 whatever units. Uh I'm not sure that's the best thing um rather than having them you know congregated together. I think they want to be together. Yeah, I agree. Yeah.
Thank you. But but that may not be something you want to do to one of your buildings. Yeah. I mean, but or if we could do it um you know, acquire another site or um you know, something like that like like this, of course. So,
I mean, I hope you we're we're not saying no, of course, any of this. We want to be open to it and we want to be sensible about it. We don't want to do it just for for the sake of it. Um it's got to make sense. Every meeting we'll be talking about this. We'll be here. I had one final comment, Mr. Chair. So
given that you said you're coming back in December and it sounds like you're going to be coming back with the retail. That's right. The first submission. So Morgan and now Gary, you guys are new and you haven't been here since the beginning of these conversations, but one of the things that is really
critical is being able to see Littleton in in the development. And as we talked about in previous meetings, seeing something that that looks like it belongs in some other part of the country versus belonging here in Littleton is really going to affect
people. And so to the degree that you can be um honest about following based code and and what that looks like for Littleton, it would it would make this go a lot faster. When you say honest, what do you mean? Well,
I'll just say another developer in town, you know, said, "Oh, this is following form base code." And it was basically a butchered version of it. And that's just not okay. Yeah. I mean, I'll tell you, we're we're in the thick of it now, and we're absolutely um working very hard to make
sure we adhere to all of that and and and also to the spirit of Littleton and and make sure it fits within the community. That's something that's really important to us about between the materials and the finishes and the colors. Um, it's it's got to fit in for sure. That's that's the fun stuff though. That's the exciting stuff.
Well, I think a project like this is going to create its own context and let's just hope it's a really great one. We agree. It is. We promise. I'll make that promise.
Okay. Okay. Um, the Red Sox have almost started starting right now. So, do I tonight. Do I have a uh motion to close the hearing?
Closing the hearing. The meeting. Journ. Do I have a meeting to adjourn? I mean, I'm I'm really thinking ahead. Do I have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Second.
All in favor? Thank you guys very much. And if you want to meet out there, anybody on the on the board and walk it at some point and look at it and talk about it.