The public had an opportunity to voice their concerns, and hear feedback from the attorney and architect representing Brady Sullivan Properties, as the permitting and approval process for the redevelopment of the proposed 127-unit housing complex at the former Bristol Yarn Mill continued to move forward with a public hearing and plan review held before the Bristol Planning Board on Thursday, June 8.

In a process akin to setting the terms of a pre-nup for a union that is destined to happen, Attorney John McCoy spoke first, enumerating the ways that the Brady Sullivan team has addressed concerns of the community and the Board, most of which had to do with the landscaping around the large parking area on the east side of Thames Street, across from the Mill.

They also offered brief updates on the status of their applications before the regulatory agencies, including the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), which are approved or expected to receive approval shortly. The Bristol County Water Authority (BCWA) had some concerns about the 90-year-old cast iron water main running down Thames Street; the developer will be replacing that main from Constitution to Church Streets.

Another new amendment to the plan is the planting of trees on the west side of Thames Street, an addition requested by Ed Tanner, Bristol’s Principal Planner. That section of sidewalk will also be replaced.

For abutting homeowners, some concerns remain, chiefly that the plantings and fencing are sufficiently robust to block any light pollution from headlights in the parking lot. Another concern that was left unresolved is the neighbors’ objections to parking lot access between the two historic homes on Thames Street that are part of the affordable housing plan for the development.

“I’m deathly against an entrance between those houses,” said Thomas Pasqual, whose property is alongside one of the affordable units. “There are children, pedestrians — it’s too dangerous.”

In addition, there was a lot of concern voiced about traffic and parking issues. Though a traffic study was performed and Pare Engineering, the town’s engineering firm, analyzed it, some residents suggested that the study may have been flawed as the impact of COVID has reduced downtown traffic in recent years. The driveway and traffic study issues appear to be the two main points on which the developers have yet to offer a satisfying solution to abutters.

At the end of the evening, there was a 4-1 vote to instruct Community Development Director Diane Williamson and Town Solicitor Andy Teitz to write up the findings of fact for the preliminary plan to present for a vote at the next Planning Board meeting on July 13. Tony Murgo, Armand Bilotti, Steve Katz, and Richard Ruggeiro voted in favor, while Brian Clark cast the dissenting vote.

If plans continue to proceed apace, Brady Sullivan Properties hopes to begin construction, expected to take two years, in April 2024.