The Worcester County Planning Commission on a favorable recommendation voted to advance Step 1 of a proposed residential planned community (RPC), imposing conditions that require sidewalks, a full landscaping plan along Route 707 and an internal sidewalk network, while deferring a disputed fire-department rear-access code provision to the county fire marshal.

Commissioners said they would not require an additional third parking space per unit because the developer agreed to place language in covenants prohibiting short-term rentals; they also declined to require a traffic study as a condition of Step 1 approval. The commission set a minimum of two parking spaces for the community pool and asked for a full community landscaping plan.

The developer, identified in the hearing as the project representative, described the site layout as a condominium-style community without fee-simple lots, using a 30-foot private drive intended to function as generous pedestrian space. The representative said the design minimizes impervious surfaces and that the private drive would serve pedestrian circulation in lieu of traditional sidewalks in many areas. On the fire-access provision in the zoning code, the representative said he had discussed the requirement with the Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office and that, in practical terms, “they're not gonna drive a million dollar fire truck and get it stuck between 2 buildings, 1 which is on fire.” He asked the commission to defer enforcement of that code requirement to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and to pursue any code text amendment through a separate track.

Planning staff noted that county rental regulations adopted in January 2020 led the County Commission to amend code language to require a third parking space for new residential units permitted after Jan. 1, 2020. Commissioners said the developer had shown how an additional third space could be created if needed—by converting landscaped front areas—while the developer agreed to add covenant language barring short-term rentals to reduce pressure for additional parking.

Commissioners also commented on sidewalks along Route 707 and an improved roadway edge. The developer said the team will coordinate required State Highway Administration approvals and said planned roadway widening along 707 is expected to include a lane/bike-lane treatment that will extend the improved edge across the property. The commission directed that sidewalks be added as a condition of Step 1 approval; the developer said doing so may require narrowing the internal roadway from 26 feet and revising the stormwater design.

Other conditions imposed by the commission included: a full, site-level landscaping plan (including along Route 707), confirmation that covenants will explicitly prohibit short-term rentals, and a minimum of two parking spaces at the community pool (the staff had initially recommended five). Commissioners said they would defer to the fire marshal’s office on the rear-access requirement for firefighting.

At the conclusion of the item, a commissioner moved to give a favorable recommendation to establishment of the RPC and to adopt the TRC findings with the cited conditions; another commissioner seconded the motion and the commission voted in favor.

The commission’s favorable Step 1 recommendation means the project will proceed in the review process; final approval and any required code text amendments would require later hearings and action by the County Commission and applicable permitting agencies.