Planning Board tables project’s site plan

The city’s Planning Board on Tuesday, Feb. 21, tabled the site plan for a mixed-use development brought to it by Dan Simone of MHV Development.

The complex, Barrel Lofts, located at 104 Smith Ave., includes 112 residential units. Of those units, 56 will be studios, 34 will be one-bedroom units and 23 will be two-bedroom units.

The plan says that the project will occupy 6,478 commercial square feet and 18,240 square feet of warehouse space while also featuring improvements, like new sidewalks.

Board members raised concerns that traffic will be affected by the construction and development of the property. They said construction of a stoop on the property would need to be higher. Simone addressed those issues by detailing his construction plans.

Simone referred to the project’s building techniques in regard to noise reduction. According to a sound study that was performed during the planning process, Simone said noise levels for future inhabitants could be brought down to a more comfortable level if recommended building practices are used.

“One interesting factor that came out of this is the eight-inch brick masonry on the existing building actually provides a lot of sound attenuation,” he said. He added that their working plan is for there to be no drop-off in sound quality from the wall to the window.

He also said that a horn from a nearby train registered at 85 decibels when the comfort range is 50 decibels.

After hearing other details of the project, like lighting fixtures and parking plans, the board tabled the plan, though Simone said he hoped to start by late spring.

The board also approved the performance bond for the Kingston Meadows senior housing project.

The amount, $4,025,167, covers estimated construction costs and fees, with a 10% contingency amount included in the case of cost overruns and delays. The bond amount, already reviewed and agreed to by the city’s engineer, will pay for the project spanning parts of Hurley and Washington avenues.

The project has been in development for over a decade and got approval for its site plan last month, with only one vote opposing it.