PLANNING BOARD
SEPTEMBER 12, 2007
MINUTES
Members Present: Howard Sandler-Chairman, Leslie Ann Morse-Vice Chairman, Craig Nightingale-Clerk, Michael Cole, Peter McDonald, and Tom Johnson-Alternate
Members Absent: Don Andersen-Alternate
Chairman Howard Sandler called the meeting to order at 5:00 PM.
Continued Hearing - Residential Site Plan Approval
CASE PB #2007-16 - TINA LAWSON, P.O. Box 373, Windham, CT 06280, requests Residential Site Plan Approval for the addition of a garage and master bedroom suite under Eastham Zoning By-Laws, Section IX - Intensity Regulations, Paragraph D-2 resulting in site coverage greater than 3,000 sq. ft. for property located at 145 Cole Road, Eastham, Map 13 Parcel 70.
The following Conditions set at the August 8, 2007 Planning Board Meeting have been met:
1. Final plans to be filed NLT August 29, 2007 with the Planning Board.
2. Applicant will provide copies for all abutters upon their request at Applicant’s expense.
3. Abutters need to sign up with the Planning Department by August 22, 2007
to receive a copy of any new plans.
Benjamin E. Zehnder, Esq. representing applicants gave an overview pointing out that:
18% lot coverage has been reduced to 17.5%;
Connecting area between house and garage has been reduced; and
Orientation of garage has been changed to allow the existing cedar trees to remain.
Peter J. Coneen, Building Design & Construction Consultation, answered Board questions regarding the revised plans.
Chairman Howard Sandler called for Board comments:
Attractive house plan but still a large mass.
Would like to see even further reduction in the mass.
Might have been more satisfactory if this had been done in one process rather than in such a segmented way.
A single story garage would be less of a problem. It is the living space over the garage that is a concern.
Would like to see a free standing garage.
The window dormer that was removed should have perhaps been left in.
Project excessive for the area.
Chairman noted all correspondence from abutters has been noted. He asked for any other comments from those in attendance.
Several abutters spoke in opposition to the project presenting their concerns:
Question regarding the right to a fourth bedroom due to the increase in the structure made last year.
2. Lot coverage is still over the 15% guideline even with the reduction in the new plans.
3. Project is larger than the other houses in the area that are all under 2,000 sq. ft. in mass.
4. Project does visually impact two abutters. Ground water is impacted by over building on a property.
Chairman noted Board of Health and Conservation Commission have signed off on this project.
He stated that the four bedrooms are grandfathered.
Attorney Zehnder was concerned that separating the garage with its second floor from the house could be classified as a separate dwelling. The setback requirements would then change.
Chairman responded that he thought a kitchen would be the determining factor in that.
Attorney Zehnder asked that the Board, in light of all the comments made thus far, that the Applicants be allowed to Withdraw Without Prejudice.
A MOTION was made by Debbie Abbott and Seconded by Leslie Morse to allow Case #PB2007-16 for the property at 145 Cole Road to Withdraw Without Prejudice.
The VOTE: 7-0 GRANTED Withdrawal Without Prejudice. For: Abbott, Cole, Morse, Sandler, Nightingale, Holland, McDonald.
New Hearing - Residential Site Plan Approval:
CASE PB #2007-23 -Joseph Savage, c/o Goodwin Procter LLP, Exchange Place, Boston, MA 02109, seeks Residential Site Plan approval under Eastham Zoning By-Laws, Section IX Intensity Regulations, Paragraph D1 for a second story addition with a deck at property 595 Steele Road, Eastham, Map 4 Parcel 536.
Stephanie Sequin, Ryder & Wilcox, Inc., P.E. & P.L.S., representing owners Gretchen and Joseph Savage gave an overview noting that this complies with setbacks, no additional landscaping anticipated, Title V septic installed in 2001 and this project has Board of Health approval. One additional change may be made in the sliders as shown replacing them with a window which would make a minor front elevation change.
Jeff Nelson, Chatham Building and Design, answered questions from the Board about the design.
Chairman Sandler said one abutter letter has been noted in support of the project.
Chairman called for comments from the floor. One abutter read a letter in opposition because of the impact on their view.
A MOTION was made by Craig Nightingale and SECONDED by Debbie Abbott to approve the Site Plan-Residential under Eastham Zoning By-Laws Section IX.D1 for a second story addition with a deck at property 595 Steele Road, Eastham, Map 4 Parcel 536.
The VOTE: 7-0 GRANTED - For: Abbott, Cole, Morse, Sandler, Nightingale, Holland, McDonald.
Chairman instructed there would be no need to come before the Board again in the event the minor change of sliders to a window is made to the presented plans.
New Hearing - Residential Site Plan Approval:
CASE PB #2007-24Wild Care, Inc., 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, seeks Residential Site Plan approval under Eastham Zoning Bylaws Section IX Intensity Regulations, Paragraph D2 to construct a raptor flight cage on the property at 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, Map 20 Parcels 125 & 126.
Lela S. Larned, Executive Director of Wild Care, Inc. gave the overview accompanied by Lawrence Larned, constructual engineer consultant. Ms. Larned pointed out that Wild Care has been caring for wildlife in the area for 17 years. In this project they have tried to maintain the historical integrity of the property placing the raptor cage in the back. This placement also cuts down on the noise for the patients and allows easy release to the conservation land. They will replant with native flora to make the surrounding area asestetically appealing. Raptors may range from an owl to a bald eagle. Wild Care usually gets 20-35 cases in a given year. There will be three internal pens housing three raptors at a given time except for small pediatric cases that can be housed together in one
cage.
A MOTION was made by Leslie Morse and SECONDED by Debbie Abbott to approve the construction of a raptor flight cage on property at 10 Smith Lane, Eastham, Map 20 Parcels 125 & 126.
The VOTE: 7-0 GRANTED. For: Abbott, Cole, Morse, Sandler, Nightingale, Holland, McDonald.
Approval of Minutes:
A MOTION was made by Michael Cole and SECONDED by Leslie Morse to approve the August 8, 2007 Planning Board Minutes as read. The VOTE: Unanimous APPROVAL.
Other Business:
Chairman Howard Sandler announced a Work Session regarding the sign By-Law and segmented site plan petitions will be held September 18, 2007 at 4:00 P.M.
Chairman clarified that alternate Board members are welcome to make comments and/or ask questions regarding the cases being heard even though not voting at the meeting.
Chairman announced the Town Planner position has been readvertised and suggested that any reorganization of the Planning Board be done after a Town Planner has been hired. No objections.
Board member Kevin Holland will be stepping down in a couple months due to his upcoming relocation.
A MOTION to adjourn was made by Leslie Morse and SECONDED by Michael Cole. Meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig Nightingale, Clerk
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