The Melrose Planning Board conditionally approved plans on Monday for developer Mark 'Woody' Carroll to rehabilitate three buildings—354 and 360-362 Upham St.—where Carroll has plans to create eight new residential units.

The board voted unanimously in support of Carroll's project, with the condition that Carroll agrees to recommendations from the Planning Board's Design Review Subcommittee.

In previous meetings, Melrose Planning Board members expressed concerns  about stormwater drainage and parking for the development, while residents seemed most concerned about traffic along Upham Street. Planning Board members unanimously voted to waive a traffic study for the property.

Carroll hired project architect Tim Johnson to address parking concerns, trash disposal, fencing, and signage. Johnson said trash and recycling will be stored in 12 64-gallon barrels enclosed by a six-foot fence. Melrose City Planner Denise Gaffey said the city engineer confirmed previous stormwater drainage calculations.

As a part of the agreement, Carroll will have a private disposal company handle trash pickup each week. He will also be responsible for removing snow from the property during storms.

Carroll worked closely with neighboring residents to gain support for the project.  In the last two Planning Board meetings, Carroll worked with board members to reduce the number of parking spots from 22 spaces to 20, while also addressing site drainage concerns.

Once the project received approval from the Design Review Subcommittee, rehabilitation on the property will move forward.