The Hudson Planning Board revisited the long running Meadows mixed-use proposal on Central Street during its Aug. 26 meeting, continuing its detailed review of the project’s traffic, environmental, and design changes.
Engineer James Hayden of Verdantas opened the discussion by outlining updates made since the Board’s last meeting. “This project has been before the Planning Board a couple of times,” Hayden said. “Most of my initial presentation focuses on changes made to Building A of the site and proposed changes to Central Street as part of the development.”
The project remains primarily residential, but recent revisions were aimed at addressing traffic concerns raised by town staff and residents. Hayden described a redesigned circulation pattern intended to improve safety and reduce congestion.
“Since meeting, we added an ‘Enter Only’ entrance on the west side of the site, while the driveway in the middle of the site will remain ‘Exit Only,’” he explained. “That will be double lane, allowing people to stack left and right turns out of the complex, and on the entrance, there will also be two lanes.” He added that the applicant is proposing to widen the shoulder on the northern side of Central Street to create a bypass lane at the entrances.
A key issue remained unresolved: the project had not yet received a full updated review from Fuss & O’Neill, the third party engineering firm that frequently evaluates major Hudson developments. “They had not had a chance to see an update,” said Dillion Dumont, speaking as a resident on behalf of the applicant. Dumont argued that the existing comment letter from Fuss & O’Neill contained enough information for the Board to move forward. “If you look carefully through that comment letter, I think you’ll see that there’s not anything of substance in there. A stipulation already specifically requires a final review by Fuss & O’Neill.”
Dumont emphasized that the applicant had incorporated feedback on traffic and environmental concerns. Town Engineer Elvis Dhima noted that the area’s proximity to Benson Park made it a strong candidate for a sidewalk, though the feasibility remains uncertain due to utility poles, wetlands, and the complexity of the roadway. “If Cap fees are there, I think it’d be better for everyone if it just went to a bigger plan for whether we put a sidewalk down Central Street,” said Board member Ed Van der Veen. “It’s not this applicant’s responsibility to do that.” Dumont indicated he would be willing to work with the town on a sidewalk easement if needed.
Environmental considerations also resurfaced following Conservation Commission feedback, including concerns about water flow, lighting, and tree preservation. “We need wildlife friendly lighting practices,” said Board Chair Tim Malley. “For tree protection, are you going to go out and cut down willow trees on the front of it?”
Hayden responded that the applicant would preserve trees where possible. “We have a note saying all of the willow trees within the limit of the disturbance are going to be flagged prior to construction and saved to the extent practical,” he said.
Dhima reiterated the importance of avoiding impacts to the wetland buffer and limiting non-native landscaping. “We just don’t want this next to the wetland when there’s a flood happening or things get out of control,” he said.
Despite the absence of a final third party report, the Planning Board voted to conditionally approve The Meadows proposal, attaching a list of stipulations requiring continued coordination with town staff and Fuss & O’Neill. “I just want everyone to understand that we’re not rubber stamping this,” said Vice-Chair Jordan Ulery, stressing that the applicant must meet all conditions before construction can begin. “If the applicant and town staff cannot come to a consensus, you’re coming back here with that,” added Malley.
The project now moves forward, but only after the required third party review and final agreement on outstanding issues.
