Milton planners defer vote on Federal Street mixed-use project

The Milton Planning and Zoning Commission has deferred a vote on a mixed-use project until its April meeting to allow the applicant to submit additional documentation. 

At its March 19 meeting, the commission closed its public hearing on the proposed development at 100 Federal St. but left the record open. That gives applicants 100 Federal St. LLC an additional 30 days to make changes and submit supplemental material before the next meeting Tuesday, April 16. By town code, once a public hearing is closed, the commission must make a decision by its next meeting. 

Plans call for a three-story, mixed-use building on a 1.2-acre parcel at 100 Federal St., at the corner of Union and Federal streets. The first floor of the building would be used for restaurant and retail space, with the second and third floors having residential apartment units.

The property is zoned Town Center, which allows for both residential and commercial uses.The project has a proposed 50-foot wetland buffer at the rear of the property, which backs up to the Broadkill River. Plans call for six apartment units on each floor. While parking is not required in the Town Center district, the complex would utilize the existing parking lot with 34 parking spaces. Access to the parcel would come from Front Street Extended, the alleyway that runs behind the Milton Theatre House, and that road would be widened to 24 feet. Drainage will be through an underground infiltration basin, with overflow going out to the wetland buffer.

For the commission, one of the big issues was the entrance to the parcel. 

Chair Richard Trask said, “In my mind, it's very difficult for someone heading toward the police department to make that very sharp turn into that alleyway. And then from the other end, if you’re coming through the intersection, which is only a few feet down the road, if you’re coming from there and want to make that left, you’re going to be backing up that intersection with cars. That road is not wide enough for a turn lane to go in there.”

Trask said the turns to get into the complex are even harder for trucks and emergency vehicles. At the same time, Trask empathized with the applicants because there is not a lot they can do about the existing traffic design. However, he said the applicants should continue to work to improve the entrance to the parcel because he likes the plan overall.

Eric Wahl, the applicant’s engineer, said discussions with the State Fire Marshal’s Office are ongoing to ensure emergency access to the parcel. 

The commission had additional questions regarding the parking and landscaping for the property. The commission also wanted to see a lighting plan and sidewalks depicted on the plans. And while a lot more questions need to be answered, the commission did like the overall idea of the development.

The commission asked 100 Federal St. LLC to provide additional information on the utilities, stormwater management system and traffic design prior to its next meeting.

“We’re going to need to see a lot more engineering on this,” Trask said. “But so far, we have a good start.”