In a recent public meeting, city officials reviewed a preliminary plan application to subdivide 14.36 acres at the western end of Overlook Ridge Drive into four new lots and one parcel. This proposal is part of a larger development site that encompasses approximately 99 acres, previously known as the Rose Quarry site, which has been under redevelopment since 2001.

The current application seeks waivers from certain design standards, including drainage system requirements and topographical submissions, arguing that these details will be addressed during future site plan reviews. Notably, the plan includes two parcels that do not meet the standard frontage requirements, which the petitioner claims will be compensated by internal access roadways.

The property is situated within the Rose Quarry Reclamation and Redevelopment District, which has specific zoning regulations that currently allow limited business uses. A pending zoning amendment aims to expand these regulations to include multifamily residential uses, with a decision expected from the city council by October 22, 2024.

Concerns were raised during the meeting regarding safety and oversight at the Overlook Ridge development, which has seen a significant number of police calls, including serious incidents. The police chief recommended the installation of surveillance cameras to enhance security at the site, particularly at the entrance and any new access points proposed in the development plan.

City departments, including public works and health, have yet to provide comments on the proposal, while the engineering department indicated that drainage and grading designs will be reviewed as part of the overall site plan process. The planning board is expected to consider the implications of the proposed waivers and the broader context of the ongoing redevelopment efforts in the area.