The Marion Planning Board met on Monday, October 5, with Toll Brothers — a Pennsylvania-based builder of luxury homes — to discuss a housing development that will run adjacent to its Marion Pointe project at 78 Wareham Road.
Marion Pointe, a 48-home luxury single-family development, is currently under construction; homes are priced starting at $1,085,955, according to the Toll Brothers website.
Before the hearing started, board members said they wanted to collect necessary information and send it over to Field Engineering to streamline the review process. This project, like the Marion Pointe one, is similar and will not require the same extensive engineering work. Board members said the engineering review should be a quicker process, and the board will be able to discuss recommended changes sooner.
The project, Heron Cove Estates, will offer similar-sized homes as Marion Pointe, including a homeowner association (HOA) that will also provide snow removal, lawn maintenance and other amenities, according to company representative Jeff Heidelberg.
The development will offer similar homes, landscaping and signage as the Marion Pointe development. However, Heron Cove will have a different HOA.
The project will offer 55 single-family detached homes with underground utilities and propane heat. Heidelberg said he is unsure whether each individual homeowner will receive a tank or one tank will service the entire development.
Working out some of the recommendations from the previous development, Heidelberg said the roads will be the same length for fire and emergency services to access the development. Heidelberg said there will be a road connecting it to Marion Pointe, which will also be a safety benefit for emergency vehicles seeking a quick exit.
That said, there will be no gate at the entrance or between Heron and Marion Pointe properties, according to Heidelberg.
Heidelberg said there will be a detention basin downhill from the property to collect stormwater.
Board members asked if residents at Heron Cove will have the same amenities as Marion Pointe, including access to a local dock.
Heidelberg said he is trying to work that detail out with state authorities so Heron Cove residents can access the same amenities.
Board Vice-Chair Ann Morgan raised concerns about snow storage in one area of the development, which could be a problem based on the snowfall of last winter.
Board members also expressed concern about whether there would be enough room for road parking. Heidelberg said he would take a closer look at it, as well as the parking arrangements.
Marion Planning Board
By Jeffrey Wagner