Town of Duxbury
Massachusetts
Planning Board
Minutes 11/17/08
Approved December 1, 2008
The Planning Board met in Duxbury Town Offices, Small Conference Room, lower level on Monday, November 17, 2008 at 7:30 PM.
Present: Amy MacNab, Chairman; Brendan Halligan, Clerk; George Wadsworth, Vice-Chair; John Bear, Cynthia Ladd Fiorini, and Harold Moody.
Absent: James Kimball.
Staff: Christine Stickney, Planning Director; Diane Grant, Administrative Assistant.
Ms. MacNab called the meeting to order at 7:33 PM.
OPEN FORUM
Freeman Farms Subdivision, off Elm Street: Mr. Wadsworth distributed photographs he had taken earlier that day of sediment erosion at a catch basin and drainage basin following a recent heavy rainstorm. Some photos depicted runoff that had seeped under a silt fence on a hill at a construction site that appeared to be clogging the catch basin. Ms. Stickney noted that once a lawn is established on the hill, it will stabilize the soil erosion at that site. Mr. Wadsworth noted that outflow at the drainage basin should be dispersing after landing on a pad of rocks, but instead it is flowing into two channels. Ms. Stickney agreed to ask the Conservation Administrator about the potentially cutting the vegetation within the drainage basin.
Ms. MacNab noted that the developer has stated his intention to seek Town approval of roadways in the Freeman Farms subdivision, stating that it is rare for the Town to approve a roadway before the lots are complete.
Economic Advisory Committee (EAC): Mr. Bear reported that the EAC is interested in being a part of a joint initial presentation that would include various land use groups for upcoming large projects that are anticipated. Mr. Bear stated that the public has complained in the past about having to attend a number of various land use meetings for the same initial presentation. Ms. Stickney noted that the public tends to bring up all sorts of issues at the first meeting, no matter if it is relevant to the Board they’re before.
Mr. Wadsworth noted that it would add an additional meeting for the applicant and may not save time because each Board has unique issues that would need to be addressed. Mr. Bear noted that the initial meeting may cause an issue with time constraints to applications. After further discussion, it was the consensus of the Board they would agree to an initial meeting if it was also supported by other Town boards. Mr. Bear will report the Board’s comments back to the EAC.
Community Preservation Committee (CPC): Mr. Bear reported that the CPC has received a number of applications and is expecting up to ten warrant articles for Annual Town Meeting 2009. The Local Housing Partnership has requested three of those articles: house recycling, a housing purchase assistance fund, and funding for potential purchase of a dwelling to be used for affordable housing.
Ms. MacNab asked if any funds had been distributed through the Housing Purchase Assistance program, and Ms. Stickney responded that the Affordable Housing Trust is still working out procedures through the Board of Selectmen. She reported that a warrant article may be needed in order to provide a mechanism for transferring funds out of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Mr. Wadsworth noted that the Sidewalk Study Committee is requesting funds for design and specifications for a Town bicycle path. He commented that the CPC should take caution with using CPA funds for recreation projects with ownership issues in light of a recent court decision.
ZBA REFERRAL: 54 OCEAN ROAD NORTH / SACK
The Board reviewed the application and materials regarding this special permit application to renovate an existing dwelling on a pre-existing non-conforming lot. After some discussion, it was agreed to continue the review at the next Board meeting when there will be input from the Conservation Commission that will be discussing the project at their November 18, 2008 meeting.
WORK SESSION: POTENTIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES
Zoning Bylaw Section 302 (Definitions) and Section 425 (Neighborhood Business Districts) – Building and Lot Coverage Plus Open Space: Ms. MacNab noted that it is possible for the Board to sponsor an article and remain neutral on support until after the public hearing. The Board made wording revisions to Section 425 in order to clarify the distinction between “area of land” and “Land Area” as defined in Section 302. It was agreed that the Planning Board would sponsor the article and remain neutral on endorsement until after the public hearing.
Zoning Bylaw Section 603 (Parking Regulations): Board members reviewed the current draft of the proposed warrant article. Mr. Wadsworth expressed concern regarding reserve parking requirements because of the difficulty in verifying the number of employees. Mr. Bear noted that the intent of the reserve parking is for the applicant to anticipate the number of parking spaces that will be required in the future.
Mr. Bear commented that “pervious pavers” should be addressed in the bylaw eventually. Board members agreed to circulate the draft warrant article for various Town boards’ input.
WORK SESSION: MILLBROOK CROSSING REVIEW
Ms. MacNab noted that the discussion on this comprehensive permit will be continued until the next Board meeting. A project eligibility letter has not been received by the Town as of yet, so the thirty-day review period has not begun. The Board of Selectmen is expected to continue its discussion of the project that had been scheduled for tonight.
OTHER BUSINESS
Engineering Invoice:
MOTION: Mr. Halligan made a motion, and Mr. Wadsworth provided a second, to approve payment of Fay, Spofford and Thorndike invoice #LG403A-1 dated November 12, 2008 in the amount of $196.58 for services related to Duxbury Bay Maritime School.
DISCUSSION: Mr. Wadsworth asked about utility inspection, and Ms. Stickney responded that, due to last minute notification from the school, Amory Engineers performed testing of the heating system.
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously, 6-0.
Meeting Minutes:
MOTION: Mr. Wadsworth made a motion, and Mr. Bear provided a second, to approve meeting minutes of November 3, 2008 as written.
VOTE: The motion carried unanimously, 6-0.
CPTC Training: Ms. Stickney noted that the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager have scheduled a joint training for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board for January 2009 on a Monday to be announced.
Reed Property, Standish Shore: Ms. Stickney advised the Board that Mr. John Reed of Standish Street had met with her regarding his desire to move a driveway on his property. Ms. Stickney noted that the driveway was originally approved as part of the Patten Lane subdivision approval and modification, and any further modification would need to be filed through the Planning Board.
Ms. Stickney also noted that Mr. Reed would like to combine all of the parcels he owns into one lot, and would like a restriction from further development. Mr. Wadsworth noted that it may not be simple to combine the lots considering there are multiple domiciles on the property. Ms. Stickney has advised Mr. Reed to consult with Mr. Scott Lambiase, Director of Inspectional Service.
Island Creek Expansion, Tremont Street: Ms. Stickney reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is scheduled to select a reviewing engineer consultant at its December 1, 2008 meeting. The first ZBA public hearing for the comprehensive permit application was continued to December 11, 2008. Ms. Stickney will have a report for the Board’s next meeting, December 1, 2008. Mr. Bear confirmed with Ms. Stickney that no action had been taken by the applicants regarding re-zoning the property.
ADJOURNMENT
The Planning Board meeting adjourned at 8:51 PM. The next meeting of the Planning Board will take place on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 7:30 PM at Duxbury Town Offices, Small Conference Room, lower level.
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