The Hudson Zoning Board of Adjustment reviewed a variance request on May 28 from applicants Robert Thomson and Maria Stratakis, who are seeking permission to build multifamily dwellings on Derry Street. The proposal calls for eight residential units in two three story buildings on a lot located in the Town Residential (TR) Zone, where multifamily housing is not permitted.
Katie Weiss of Bedford Design Consultants presented the plan, noting the surrounding mix of uses.
“Behind the site there are already residential properties off Nellie Court and Abbott Street. Across the street is Route 102, so across the street there are commercial uses in a business zone,” Weiss said. “We’re proposing eight residential units in two separate blocks. The buildings are 30by30, three stories tall, with the first floor serving as garage space.”
Weiss argued that the variance would not harm neighborhood character, citing the commercial development along Route 102. She added that the area’s traditional New England development pattern “has already been disturbed” and that the project would add to the tax base.
Board members raised questions about the proposed stormwater system.
“You have proposed stormwater in the front. Is that the only place it can go?” asked Board member Tim Lanphear. “I worry you have water that’s going to seep into the ground and underneath 102. Can you have a sinkhole here? It can happen.”
Weiss said the basin is located at the lowest point on the property. Associate Planner Ben Witham-Gradert added that Hudson engineering standards require stormwater to remain on site.
“As water goes to a detention basin, it has to stay on the property as it sinks deeper and deeper into the ground,” Gradert said. “It can’t go six inches down then flood into an aquifer under the road.”
He assured the Board that the plans will be “thoroughly reviewed” before any construction begins.
No residents attended the meeting, but abutters Steve and LeeAnn Middlemiss submitted written opposition. Board members echoed concerns about whether eight units were appropriate for the small lot.
“These are small New England lots, and we’re trying to maintain the character of these neighborhoods as best as we can,” said Board member Tristan Dion. “I don’t know if turning a sub-one-acre lot into eight units maintains the character.”
Gradert noted that TR zone density guidelines should be considered. Lanphear agreed.
“If they say they’re putting in eight, but three-to-four might be the magic number, that’s what we have to say,” he said.
Thomson pushed back, arguing that Route 102’s heavy traffic makes single family development less practical.
“The road is too busy to support single family. Multifamily may be a better use,” said Alternate Zachary McDonough. “To treat it as a residential New England neighborhood seems abstract.”
Citing its authority to limit the degree of non-conformance, the Zoning Board suggested reducing the project to four units. The applicants requested time to explore a smaller configuration, delaying the expected vote.