May 12, 2026
Members present: Mark Lockwood, Paula Johnson, Meg Jabaily, Steve Muller, Brennan Sheahan, Christine Chinni. Also present: Director of Community Development Abigail Kenyon, Land Use Coordinator Renee Deltenre.
Seating of Alternates
Johnson was seated for Eric Myers and Jabaily was seated for Eric Lukingbeal.
Application seeking a Site Plan and Special Permit under Zoning Regulations Sections 3.1.2.4 and 8.21.4 to remodel and operate out of the McLean Game Refuge Facility within the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, for property located at 100 Barn Door Hills Road.
Professional Engineer Guy Hesketh, McLean Game Refuge Director Connor Hogan and Architect Joseph Alicata were present to discuss the application. The property is owned and used by McLean Game Refuge for staff offices and vehicle/equipment storage within an existing building. McLean is seeking to convert the existing garage space into additional offices with a gathering room, create an outdoor sitting space, construct a garage addition on the northern side, a building addition to the rear, and a front entrance canopy.
Additional site improvements include the creation of secondary entrance to provide circular traffic, shuttle bus parking, ADA access and enhanced landscaping.
Hesketh provided an overview of the stormwater management plan, as well as soil erosion and sediment control measures. It was explained that some of the parking area located on the south side would be processed stone. It was noted that this surface is appropriate for the expected traffic volume. This surface treatment requires specific consideration by the commission. In regard to the Aquifer Protection Overlay Zone, it was noted that small amounts of gasoline and motor oil are stored in the building, including up to five, 5-gallon cans of gasoline and up to 10 quarts of oil or hydraulic fluid.
Aside from minor maintenance, all oil changes and other scheduled maintenance are completed off-site. Since the property consists of over 1,000 acres, the applicant is requesting a waiver of the A2 survey requirement. Hogan and Alicata discussed the architectural design of the building, which will be constructed using timber sourced from the site itself and have metal roofing. Hogan discussed hours of operation. The facility will not be rented to outside entities.
Public Comment
Karen McNey, 80 Barn Door Hills Road, spoke in favor of the application and questioned the color of the building, to which Hogan replied that the building will have a natural wood finish.
Richard Stevens, 91 Barn Door Hills Road, spoke in favor of the application and supports the efforts of the McLean Game Refuge.
The commission unanimously approved the application subject to the conditions: 1) Resolution of the outstanding staff comments dated 5/5/26 and 5/7/26, and plans updated accordingly; 2) incorporation of the applicant’s narrative dated 4/24/26 and memo dated 5/11/26; 3) acceptance of the parking lot surface treatment as shown on the site plan; 4) acceptance of the A-2 survey waiver request; 5) incorporation of the Aquifer Protection requirements as outlined in staff’s 5/5/26 memo.
Informal Discussion: 137 Salmon Brook Street, possible residential development, and changes to T1 Zoning Regulations
Ben Hale of Selective Development presented the idea of constructing a multi-family residential development at 137 Salmon Brook Street. The 5.12-acre parcel is located within the T1, Neighborhood and Commercial Transition, Zone and requires a 150-foot buffer to separate the proposed use from the single-family residential use located within the adjacent R30 Zone. Hale presented a conceptual plan that depicted five separate buildings that would consist of eight townhouse style units with a one-car garage.
The homes are intended to provide attainable homeownership opportunities for first-time buyers and moderate-income households. In order to proceed with this concept, a text amendment to the Zoning Regulations is necessary to reduce the required 150-foot buffer. It was suggested that the 150-foot buffer remain for commercial uses, while a 100-foot buffer be allowed for residential uses.
Ellen Thomson, 250 Salmon Brook Street, spoke in favor of the idea and recommended that consideration be given to affordable housing units.
The commission discussed considerations to the T1 Zone in previous years and indicated that the T1 Zone regulations should be looked at in their entirety.
Proposed zoning regulation changes for Transit Community Middle Housing Developments (2-9 Residential Units) and Mixed-Use in Commercial Zone
In response to discussion and feedback received at the prior meeting, Kenyon presented a draft of the proposed regulations. Proposed changes to the landscaping requirements were in response to discussion between Lukingbeal and John O’Brien of O’Brien Nursery.