MONTAGUE — The Planning Board unanimously approved the development of two multi-family buildings, each containing four apartments, on 10th Street, under the condition that the applicant draft a plan to include a paved entryway to accommodate front access.
The developers, Veaceslav Falceanu, Viktor Vlasenko and Igor Komerzan — co-owners of First Generation LLC — presented their plans for the lot before the Planning Board Tuesday evening, sharing blueprints of two side-by-side buildings, each containing four two-bedroom apartments.
With plans to divide the approximately 0.9-acre property, which is located in the Historic Industrial District, into two separate lots, the developers needed to seek a special permit through the Planning Board.
“Our goal is to take the worst house on the street and transform it into one of the best, and to take care of the neighbors and tenants,” Falceanu said. “I came here in 2012 and now we have properties in Millers Falls, Turners Falls, Greenfield, Deerfield … we’re local and we’re trying to grow and take care of our neighbors.”
Komerzan, explaining the project, said the developers manage their own properties and, despite initially planning to build three-bedroom units, ultimately decided to keep the apartments limited to two bedrooms to preserve space.
After Planning Board member Sage Winter, looking at the proposed development’s blueprint, noted that the plans lack front sidewalk access, she suggested that the applicant return to the Planning Board at its next meeting on Nov. 19 with an updated design to accommodate a paved front entryway.
Winter also suggested that the driveways of the two structures connect to enhance access for fire personnel or those with mobility issues.
“My main concern is that you don’t have any sidewalks —from the doors showing on the plan, to the front of the road,” Winter said. “I’m just going to mark up your plan, just so that it’s clear how people access it, and make sure that you have little sidewalks on the back and maybe even one right here. That kind of just changes the landscape plan a bit.”
In a public comment session, residents and abutters voiced general approval of the proposed development, with some residents asking about potential light pollution and others raising concerns that children wouldn’t have access to a play area.
Planning Board members, in response to residents’ questions, assured attendees that the proposed development will be subject to the town’s bylaws, which mandate that exterior lights be downcast. Board members also explained that the development will include a grassy area in the back where children can play. The apartments will also be within walking distance of a playground.
Before voting unanimously to conditionally approve the proposed development, the developers were informed that, as another condition of approval, they must plant shrubs or native vegetation on the front lawn and install a fence around the site’s dumpsters.
“We even have a condition that any tree and shrub that does not survive one year after planting shall be replaced,” Montague Planning Director Maureen Pollock noted.
The Planning Board will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to review the updated site plan.