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WDA’s involvement with residential development projects ranges from affordable housing design to traditional subdivision plans to master planning and design for large oceanfront estate properties. Our talented design team strives to ensure the selected design maximizes each property’s unique and most valuable assets. The following is a representative listing of our residential projects: Single Family Projects Brookside Estates, Millbury, MassachusettsWDA designed a residential subdivision at West Main Street and McGrath Road in the rural west side of Millbury. The 52± acre parcel, which is predominantly wooded, offers interesting New England features such as well-constructed stone farmer’s walls around the perimeter as well as throughout the site. The land has wetland areas throughout the site, which border the adjacent perennial Ramshorn Brook. During the concept stages, WDA worked closely with the Town Planner and Planning Board to present the town required Open Space and Conventional Subdivision scenarios. WDA demonstrated to the Town that the Open Space scenario was not necessarily the best fit for the site but rather a modified Conventional design retaining 47 percent open space was preferable. As part of the modified Conventional proposal we took advantage of the historical site features, with the design of a hand blazed pedestrian trail system that is intertwined with our sidewalk network along the roadways. Our closed drainage system is collected and routed into vegetated water quality swales where the berms serve as spurs of the trail system. Both the client and town are very pleased with the design. Brigham Woods, Northborough, Massachusetts WDA has completed the design and permitting for this 19-lot residential subdivision in Northborough. The challenges on-site included combining solutions to neighborhood circulation issues, water supply, and town sewer master planning while retaining the developer’s requirements and vision. To avoid a major municipal sewer pump station, a half mile sewer was designed within a narrow existing street. This solution also provides 30 existing homes with marginal or failing septic systems with the ability to connect to municipal sewer. WDA obtained Definitive Subdivision Approval, Town and State Sewer Extension Permits, and Earth Removal Permits. Old Essex Road, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts This challenging 3-acre site required presenting creative design and permitting solutions to the Planning Board and Town Engineer. The small site is cursed with a 60-foot elevation difference from the existing street to the summit of the site. WDA was contracted to provide permitting services for the establishment of a conventional subdivision. However, after review of our land planning studies, the client and the Town agreed that a 4 lot common driveway approach was the preferred solution. The special permit has been approved and a Conservation application was completely avoided with this design. Resourceful drainage solutions were required due to extensive bedrock on-site and significant existing street flooding problems. Hillview Estates, Grafton, Massachusetts WDA was retained to design five estate lots and a 72 unit multi-family development on Providence Road on a moderately sloped property with wetlands and nice views. With the front portion of the property being zoned for multi-family use and being the only open fields, and the rear single family portion being predominantly wooded, we provided a design which resulted in minimal disturbance to the existing mature vegetation. The project required obtaining a definitive plan approval for the subdivision and Special Permit/ Site Plan Approval for the multi-family component of the development. Waterman Design was successful in its endeavor to run both processes simultaneously resulting in prompt approvals. Work included the filing of a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission and filings with the Massachusetts DEP for a sewer connection permit and the MHD for curb cut and road opening permits. Joint Grass Brook Estates, Dunstable, Massachusetts WDA was retained by the owner of this 140-acre property for environmental permitting and master planning services. The extensive wetland resources including flood plain, Joint Grass Brook perennial stream, bordering vegetated wetlands, and significant habitat of rare or endangered wildlife proved an interesting challenge for the development of this site. WDA initially obtained an Order of Resource Area Delineation to confirm all wetland resources on-site prior to determining the best development options for the property. It was determined that the overall best use of the front portions of the property was 5 ANR lots along Fletcher Street and a 5-lot definitive subdivision off of Main Street. A majority of the remaining property would remain as conservation land to be managed by either the Town Conservation Commission or Town Land Trust. Hopkinton Highlands II, Hopkinton, Massachusetts WDA was originally retained by the landowner to prepare a boundary survey and wetland location on this 153± acre site. Our contract was then taken over by Toll Brothers, Inc. and services expanded to include preparation of conceptual plans for both a conventional subdivision layout and a combined single-family open space development. The proponent proceeded with the open space development and an exclusive 15-lot estate development. The entire 153 acre site will provide for over 100 acres of passive recreation open space with a network of trail systems. Our staff has also completed soils testing, confirmation of the wetland boundaries, and the layout of a trail system that would connect the Sudbury River to the Hopkinton State Forest. Woodside Estates, Sudbury, Massachusetts A local developer relied on our landscape architects for the creation of an open space layout to satisfy the Planning Board’s requirements. Our designs included several recommendations to improve the client’s conventional plan and also completed a much superior open space/cluster layout. The new plan reduced road construction, improved lot shape and enhanced lot value. The plan was fully embraced by the Town Planner and Planning Board and was quickly approved. This 15 lot project is now fully constructed. Whittemore Woods & Draper Woods, Sturbridge, Massachusetts WDA performed extensive site planning on two 60± acre tracts to develop roadway and lotting designs that are both sensitive to the landscape as well as efficient with substantial densities. Multiple options were developed for each site showing the benefits and impacts of various approaches. By anticipating the Town’s questions, while incorporating the client’s requirements we were able to quickly obtain the support of the Planning Agency. Definitive plans for both of these properties have been approved. Pheasant Hill Estates, Westborough, Massachusetts WDA was retained to prepare design plans for the subdivision of a 40± acre parcel analyzing both conventional and open space subdivision regulations. WDA services began with wetland identification and property line surveys, conceptual and preliminary subdivision plans, and proceeded to full definitive plans, environmental permits, drainage calculations and 1,500 lf of off site gravity sewer design. The roadway in this project has been constructed and all houses are now complete. WDA has submitted roadway acceptance plans and as-built drawings of the roadway and public infrastructure in support of the developer’s request for street acceptance. Brookwood Path, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts For this 107 acre subdivision, WDA was contracted to supervise final project construction and to obtain outstanding Town approvals. WDA services included monitoring the completion of the wetland compensatory areas, roadway and landscaping, obtaining the Conservation Commission Certificate of Compliance, and acceptance of roadway, easements and open space areas by the Board of Selectmen. MBL Realty Trust, Upton, Massachusetts WDA’s survey crew performed a complete boundary survey for this 80± acre land court parcel, including the establishment of street lines for three abutting roadways. A partial topographic survey, septic system designs and Notices of Intent were completed for a proposed residential development of 16 building lots on this private estate parcel. The approval-not-required plan and Land Court subdivision have both been approved by the Town. Stow Road, Marlborough & Hudson, Massachusetts WDA’s work on this project was provided in concert with the project landscape architect, Sudbury Design Group, to provide master planning for a conventional residential subdivision on approximately 55 acres on Stow Road in Marlborough and approximately 28 acres on Chestnut Street in Hudson, Massachusetts. This work was performed directly for Sudbury Valley Trustees as part of their plan to preserve a major portion of this property for open space purposes. Country Club & Sudbury Valley Estates, Marlborough, Massachusetts Toll Brothers contracted WDA to provide site monitoring and final Certificate of Compliance services for compensatory wetlands created during project development. WDA coordinated their work directly with the City of Marlborough Conservation Officer. Multi Family Projects Congregate Care Facility, Sutton, MassachusettsThis project involves the planning and design of a 180 unit new congregate care facility on two parcels totaling over 76 acres. Unique features of the property include its location directly opposite the entrance to the Pleasant Valley Country Club, several existing ponds, a perennial stream and bordering wetlands, steep slopes and a former gravel pit. Our creative design team has developed initial concept plans that have responded to the needs of our client while respecting the numerous difficult environmental constraints and yet meeting the full approval of the owners of the existing golf course. Crescent Gate, Sturbridge, Massachusetts WDA was retained to design a 69 unit over 55 “empty nest” community in the town of Sturbridge. The proposal called for the development of one and two bedroom units presented as a 57-unit main building and 12 cottage style units. The project was filed under MGL Chapter 40B as a comprehensive permit application. The 8± parcel is shaped as a peninsula bounded by a bordering vegetated wetland on three sides and perennial stream to one side. The site was heavily vegetated with mature trees and exhibited moderate to steep slopes, truly a challenging project to design. Early in the concept plan stages, many open discussions were held with the local boards and town officials presenting various options for development. WDA quickly reached a consensus and prepared the site plans in support of the applications submitted to the ZBA. The project also required the filing with MHD for a change in use permit, the filing of a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission and the filing of a DEP Sewer Connection permit with the state. From its inception, we presented the project as a “friendly 40B” to ensure Town cooperation. We were able to meet this self-imposed goal without compromising density and the project is now fully constructed. Stoneleigh Active Adult Housing Community, Sturbridge, Massachusetts Engaged by the development firm of Blue & Gold Development of Long Island, New York, WDA was commissioned to provide comprehensive permitting and site design services for a 71 Unit Active Adult Housing Community located on 35 acres. The project includes 17 buildings of three and four clustered townhouse units with an emphasis on the creation and preservation of public access to the new open space areas. Amenities include a central community building with associated gardens and a network of natural walking paths and trails. Mill Place, Ipswich, Massachusetts WDA provided full land planning, survey and civil engineering services on this infill project in downtown Ipswich. This project included the development of 10 frontage lots around the perimeter of the site and 21 attached condominium units on the remaining interior parcel. Our landscape architects prepared a screening program for the small frontage lots that greatly enhanced the overall aesthetics and quickly boosted unit sales. This project’s special permit and site plan were approved by the Town, and construction is now complete. Kensington At Chelmsford, Chelmsford, Massachusetts For this 144 unit affordable housing project (Chapter 40 B, comprehensive permit) our landscape architects were called upon to modify a previous site plan that was not considered appropriate by the client. Our designers quickly analyzed the property and recommended a different building design to take advantage of the clustered knolls on site. Several concepts were developed and once reviewed by the client, immediately embraced. Complete site plans and permit applications were quickly approved by the Town, and construction of the project is now complete. Shipside Village, Medford, Massachusetts WDA was contracted by the developer to provide comprehensive design services to complete the buildout of a 20 unit multi-family residential project adjacent to a city park and the Mystic River. Services included boundary and topographic surveys, conceptual site planning, civil/site engineering, landscape architecture and environmental permitting. Our design plans were presented to the City and a special permit and wetlands permit were quickly issued, and construction is complete. Senior Housing Development, Grafton/Sutton, Massachusetts WDA has been involved in the master planning of 80 acres of property in two towns for the development of 63 independent living units in detached cottages, 128 congregate units in a central community facility, and 180 assisted living units in a stand-alone building. Following the completion of our initial research and preparation of an existing conditions plan, and interaction with the Town of Sutton to enact new zoning favorable to retirement communities, our services were then focused on coordinating the design development with the cooperation of consultants (geotech, architectural, state permitting), and commencing the formal review/permitting process with the towns of Grafton and Sutton. Barowy Property, Ipswich, Massachusetts WDA was selected by Symes Associates as the site planning consultant to analyze 43+/- acres of open rolling meadow on Route 1A in Ipswich, Massachusetts for use as a potential age restricted housing development. WDA’s land planning specialists created a community of attached (duplex) units clustered in the southeast corner of the parcel with a long winding access drive that crosses the existing on-site stream. The conceptual plan was fully embraced by the current landowner, who will continue to reside on the property. Hopkinton Highlands III, Hopkinton, Massachusetts WDA’s designer’s were asked to develop a multi-family layout for a difficult 60± acre parcel near a town reservoir. After completion of a thorough site analysis and conceptual design phase we presented several options to the owners for a 27 unit multi-family garden apartment plan that utilized the best development areas and retained significant open space along the town’s reservoir. Peppercorn Village Senior Housing, Hopkinton, Massachusetts WDA’s landscape architects were commissioned to participate in the development of original concept plans for this 65 unit age restricted housing project on 28± acres in Hopkinton. Concept plans were completed for presentation to the Town, and our staff also prepared a scale model of the site. Single Family Estate Projects Hawthorne Estate, Westwood, MassachusettsIn the late 1890s, a large estate with coach-driver’s quarters, greenhouses, riding stables, cider barns, orchards, and extensive fields was established in this prestigious Westwood neighborhood. Today, the remaining 36-acre property retains a distinctive Gatsby-era charm. WDA was retained by the current owner, and charged with the task of crafting a development plan for the property that both preserved its attractive character yet provided significant economic returns. As part of the feasibility analysis, WDA demonstrated the potential for subdivision of the property into 14 lots, in compliance with local zoning; yet, in tandem with a ‘value analysis’, provided land planning services that led to the selection of a Landscape Preservation Plan for 10 high quality residential lots. Given the relatively sophisticated nature of the Town’s Zoning requirements and exacting standards of Land Court, WDA provided a tailored range of services, including Surveying, coordination with Land Court, preparation of Approval Not Required Plan, general review of IRS rules pertaining to charitable contributions, guidance on Chapter 61A withdrawal procedure, and placement of house/driveway planned to preserve the scenic qualities of this special property. Wailea Highlands, Maui, Hawaii WDA was selected by a local architect to provide comprehensive site planning for a new 6,000 sf residence. The home, drive and swimming pool were designed with extensive detail to ensure compliance with the extensive lot covenants and local design criteria. Our work included zoning/covenant review, design of detailed site plans, preliminary cost estimates and coordination of local agency approvals. Pickworth Point, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts WDA was hired to provide feasibility planning for the highest and best use of this 17± acre residential oceanfront peninsula with 2,800 feet of direct frontage on the Atlantic Ocean. Initial services included performance of a perimeter field survey, aerial topographic survey, soils testing, approval-not-required plan preparation, and permit approvals with the town. Services also included site engineering and planning as well as complete survey layout for construction of the owner’s residence, carriage house and swimming pool, all overlooking the ocean. Crow Island, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts WDA was contracted to review the possibilities for upgrade of the existing septic systems on this 5 acre private peninsula on the Atlantic Ocean. The Circa 1849 stone mansion on site is high above sea level with formal gardens and plantings. The property also includes a separate three bedroom carriage house. Being surrounded by ocean, with areas of the site within the 100 year flood zone, and numerous rock outcrops, the site presented a challenge for our septic system design engineers. By working closely with the town Board of Health, local Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection, we evaluated and identified a suitable septic system design which included alternative technologies, recently approved by the DEP for use with a Title V septic system. WDA designed a system utilizing an intermittent sand filter that satisfies the needs of the site, protects the environment, and was fully permitted by local and state authorities. This project is now complete. Hajducky Residence, Carlisle, Massachusetts WDA was contracted to provide drainage and site utility plans, details for a carriage house addition and complete landscape enhancement of this private estate. Our work included acquiring successful permit approvals by the local Board of Health and Conservation Commission. Kaminstein Residence, Concord, Massachusetts WDA was engaged to delineate wetland resources, perform field survey, and assist in permit applications and public hearing presentations for the total renovation and house addition and landscaping project for this existing residence located directly adjacent to an existing stream. Hailer Residence, Carlisle, Massachusetts WDA was hired to assist this owner with the preparation of topographic and property line survey plans, and site planning associated with the installation of a new swimming pool and related landscape improvements. To gain additional space for the envisioned pool, land swap plans were also developed for negotiations with neighboring land owners.survey plans, and site planning associated with the installation of a new swimming pool and related landscape improvements. To gain additional space for the envisioned pool, land swap plans were also developed for negotiations with neighboring land owners.
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