Ayer Planning Board Unanimously Endorses Panther Place Subdivision, Approves Common Driveway

AYER -- September 14, 2021, Ayer Planning Board endorses Panther Place subdivision and clears common driveway dispute at September 14 meeting. The board unanimously accepted the covenant and endorsed the definitive subdivision plan for Panther Place on Washington Street, resolving two outstanding Department of Public Works concerns, a crosswalk relocation and a sewer design requirement, without adding formal conditions, on the basis that existing building permit requirements already compel sewer approval before construction can proceed. The board also unanimously approved a finding that a shared driveway serving two adjacent lots at 128 Washington Street meets the criteria of Ayer Zoning Bylaw Section 9.15.B.4, a provision unearthed by Vice Chair Ken Diskin and confirmed by Town Counsel as granting the board express authority to approve common driveways. Three concurrent hearings on the large Stratton Hill definitive subdivision on Wright Road were continued to September 28, with the applicant's written extension setting December 31 as the outer deadline for a board decision and October 26 as the next substantive hearing date. The board also signaled it intends to treat October 12 as a final-action date for the long-stalled 14 Washington Street special permit, directing staff to research legal options for closing that hearing if the reported new buyer, Seal Harbor, does not present a viable plan.