Hamilton Planning Board Accepts Revised Willow Street Floor Plans, Defers Exterior Review

HAMILTON — October 20, 2020 — Hamilton Planning Board unanimously accepts revised floor plans for a 50-percent affordable Passive House development at 59-63 Willow Street. Developer David Tregorth of Tregorth Companies LLC presented changes driven by Passive House energy certification requirements and detailed construction coordination, including the elimination of bump-out extensions on upper floors, with no changes to unit count, height, massing, or footprint. Chair Brian and member Rick Mitchell recused themselves due to Hamilton Development Corporation ties, leaving board member Dan Ham to preside; Ham raised concerns that the building's west elevation reads as "one long uninterrupted facade" resembling a hotel, and the board held exterior materiality and window-grille decisions for a follow-up presentation at the November 17 meeting. Tregorth said construction is targeted for spring 2021 pending state DHCD funding confirmation. The board also agreed to authorize a narrowly worded letter supporting the proposed $9 million Town Hall renovation, limited to the board's site plan review approval and stopping short of endorsing the expenditure itself.