Dresser Woods hearing continues April 1

SALISBURY — The Planning and Zoning Commission’s public hearing on the proposed Dresser Woods affordable housing development continued Monday, March 18 and was continued again to Monday, April 1.

On April 1 the commission will consider only two items — increasing the number of parking spaces and decreasing the outside lighting.

The plan for Dresser Woods, named for Jim Dresser, who donated the land to the SHC, will have 20 rental units in nine buildings at the site at 37 Railroad St. in Salisbury village.

There are six one-bedroom units, 10 two-bedroom units, and four three bedroom units. Three are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

During the hearing, the applicant (Salisbury Housing Committee) addressed several questions that came up during the first round.

The SHC’s Jocelyn Ayer agreed to extend wildlife exclusion and privacy fencing.

Ayer said that adding full basements would be too expensive and would require more intrusive site work.

There was considerable discussion, from commissioners and from the public, about lighting and its effect on the immediate neighborhood, and about adding more parking. One neighbor said that the existing plan’s 31 parking spaces, averaging 1.5 per unit (which is in excess of the town’s regulations that call for one space per unit), will not allow for two-car families and visitors

The 20-foot high light poles came in for criticism as being too tall.

In the end, the commission agreed to continue the hearing to consider just the parking and the lighting. P&Z chair Michael Klemens polled the commissioners, asking if they had enough information (excluding parking and lighting) to proceed. They did.

The hearing will continue Monday, April 1, 6:45 p.m. on Zoom.