A change in the layout of the new Plymouth Rock Studios connector roads would save four acres of trees from destruction.
Planning Board members liked the sound of trees not falling in the woods. They voted, 5-0, Monday night to recommend that Town Meeting approve adjustments to the layout of Rock Studio Drive, the Clark Road connector, and Campus Drive for access to Plymouth South middle and high schools.
After Town Meeting in the spring, when the layouts were originally approved, Plymouth Rock Studios conducted a topographical study of the site. After a recent site visit, a revised access road easement line has been proposed.
“We were looking at the best way to put the road down,” Plymouth Rock Studios Project Director Brad Soule said.
The new, low impact design has the support of the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts, PRS spokesman Kevin O’Reilly said. The town owns the land, but the Wildlands Trust holds the conservation restriction on the property. He said the acting public works director also supports the change.
An added benefit of the proposed changes is enhanced access to the middle school athletic fields. O’Reilly said the superintendent of schools and principals of the middle and high schools have also walked the site and support the changes.
Planning and Development Director Lee Hartmann recommended that the board support the layout. He said this is a case where refinements result in a better project.
Town Meeting will convene at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Plymouth North High School. Approval of Article 18 would result in Rock Studio Drive and Campus Drive being accepted as public ways. The same article appeared on the warrant in the spring but has to be voted again to reflect the proposed changes.
