Brian Pratt of CLD Consulting Engineers and builder Bob Lamontagne brought a conceptual plan for an industrial, multi-tenant building to be built at 10 Technology Drive to the Heritage Commission.
Known as Fairwind Properties, the proposal calls for “a 160-foot by 60-foot, 9,600-square-foot multi-tenant industrial building.
Pratt said the structure would be divided into approximately eight 1,200-square-foot units that could be merged with other units. They would have high bays to accommodate a car, and the main entrance would be in the front, with the back housing both garage and pedestrian doors.
The location is off Harvey Road, at the corner of Technology Drive and Akira Way, with the building fronting Akira Way.
Pratt said the conceptual plan had been presented to the Planning Board, fire department and staff, with all groups in favor of it.
“Once we get your feedback, we’re going to finalize the plans for the real site plan approvals, design review committee and everything,” Pratt said.
Pratt said the building would be wood frame with aluminum siding, and stone trim along the base. The siding would have different colors.
Heritage Commission Vice Chairman James Schwalbe asked about signage, and Pratt said it would be tenant specific, with a sign out front facing Akira Way and eight panels for the tenants.
“The tenants will come in later and have to meet with the zoning requirements for their signs,” Pratt said. “There will be a stand alone out front with eight panels, and that sign will be unlit.”
Pratt said they will be requesting a waiver of parking lot islands from the Planning Board because they would make plowing difficult. Their plan is to plant trees around the perimeter, including 15 purple lilac bushes.
“We heard that you like purple lilacs so we made sure we included them,” Pratt said.
As far as lighting, Pratt said that there is only one light pole, located near the entrance to the parking lot. The lighting will be on the building exterior in the form of LED wall packs in a downcast configuration.
Commission member Ann Chiampa said there were no munions in the windows and Lamontagne said that was by design.
Commission member David Colglazier asked about the door material and Pratt said that they would be white aluminum insulated doors.
Commission alternate Janet Cichocki asked if there were enough parking spaces.
“According to town regulations, we need 19 or 20 spaces and we have 34,” Pratt said. “We’re thinking that the tenants will have an employee in the front and maybe a shop in the back for like plumbers and electricians, and there are garage doors in the back so they can park inside.”
Comprehensive Planner John Vogl asked about snow storage, and Pratt said there were areas in the north part of the property where there was a detention pond and swales along the back.
Commission member Sue Joudrey said the awnings on the drawings looked cheap, but Lamontagne said they were there by design.
Colglazier asked about trash and Pratt said that each tenant would be responsible for their own trash removal.
Schwalbe asked about the roof and Pratt said that it would be pitched to the left and runoff would be sent to the detention pond.
Commissioner Pauline Caron asked about a small utility room located on the side of the building, and Pratt said it was for protecting electrical and other utility equipment.
In other business at the Thursday, March 27 meeting:
• Vogl said there is an addition to the FedEx site plan of a 9-foot by 6-foot locker shelter located next to the security building because employees are not allowed to bring backpacks into the building.
“Our sense was that this was such a minor change to the plan that it would be acceptable,” Vogl said.
The commissioners saw no problem with the building.