No sooner did the ink dry on the new zoning bylaw allowing construction of duplex residences with zero lot lines before The Preserve at the Bay Club Director Ted Gowdy came before the Mattapoisett Planning Board to propose just such a project.
A cul-de-sac within the Bay Club boundary lines currently named Split Road Lane was originally laid out to contain single-family homes. Gowdy, armed with a new set of drawings, displayed for the members an updated plan that would contain 22 residences within 11 duplex structures. This informal meeting, which had been requested by Gowdy, was intended to help him determine the next steps to secure permitting for the project.
“I wanted to give you a preview of what we plan on doing,” Gowdy told the board members. If all goes well, he hopes to begin construction as soon as the fall of 2015.
Chairman Tom Tucker stated, “If zoning allows it, I don’t see a problem…”
The permit that allowed the Bay Club to construct a cluster subdivision set the number of residences at a finite total of 189. If the duplex project is permitted, it will add to the number of residences already constructed without exceeding that number.
Tucker told Gowdy that, in light of the proposed project being the first to test the public’s appetite for this type of housing option, he should plan to have all his details in line.
“We should have a full public hearing,” said Tucker. “I don’t want anyone to say something underhanded was done…. Let’s go through all the hoops.”
Board members Mary Crain and Karin Field questioned the number of bedrooms the new units Gowdy’s plan may contain. He said three-bedroom units were most in demand. This caused a surprised response from several members.
“From the beginning,” said Tucker, “when the bylaws were discussed with Brad (Saunders) they were described as second homes, retirement homes for empty nesters.” Gowdy said that even empty nesters were looking for three-bedroom homes.
Tucker further stated, “These were presented as empty nester homes – I’d be very careful.”
Gowdy will continue to develop his plan and return to the board when prepared for a public hearing on the project.
In other business, a Form A application was approved for Antone Oliver, 4 West Hill Road.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is schedule for June 15 at 7:00 pm.
By Marilou Newell
