DRAFT
Minutes of the May 24, 2004 Meeting of the Greenfield Planning Board
The meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with members Cernota, Kavenagh, Marshall, O’Connell, Seigars, Selectmen’s Rep. Brooks, and alternate Carrara in attendance. The minutes of May 10 were read and approved with the correction of two spelling errors and the following change in paragraph three line two: All corrections have been made.
For the hearing tonight Dario Carrara will sit in for Marilyn Fletcher.
Peter Hopkins came in to meet with us. We asked him if he would return the reclamation plan for Steve Robertson’s large pit which we had given to Peter. We will need it for a meeting. Peter came up to talk with us about questions the Wieses, who are looking into buying a piece of land adjoining their land, have about frontage. They are scheduled for a preliminary conceptual consultation at 9:00 p.m. Peter also suggested that we might consider changing the requirement of an envelope so that the envelope not only show where a house could be set but also show room for expansion if possible. He also suggested that we involve the conservation commission by asking them to review the plot plan before a subdivision is granted. We could put this on the checklist. Peter also has concerns about
common driveways turning into roads. He feels that more than two lots on a common driveway might make it a road.
At 7:30 p.m. we held a hearing for a major subdivision by Edward J. & Margit Colburn. A paper was passed around for members of the public to sign. Mike read the notice of the hearing which was published in the Ledger and Transcript. Only one abutter letter, from Iain Guthrie, was not picked up. The Colburns have given us a check for $344.62 which was handed to Selectman Brooks. Mike read the rules of the hearing. No written comments have been received.
The Colburns wish to subdivide Lot R7-19 into four lots. They have sent a Minimum Impact Expedited Application to the state but have not received approval yet. Mr. Harry Murray, wetland scientist, explained the plans. Three lots have frontage on New Boston Road and one lot fronts Thomas Road. Lot 1 has a driveway and a house on it now. Lot 3 has poorly drained soil. All test pits were good. The board went over the application. We found the following deficiencies:
· Lot numbers need to be changed.
· Pins are not placed.
· There is a question about frontage on Thomas Road – is this on a Class V or Class VI road?
· Plans for the common driveway – want an as built contour map
· Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) if necessary
· Clarification of note 5.
· Fix spelling of Iain Guthrie’s name
We will run the proposed subdivision plans before the Conservation Commission. We would like to know the length of the common driveway. Steve made a motion to accept the application pending the correction of deficiencies. This motion was seconded and passed by a vote of 4 to 1.
Dario made a suggestion that we try to work with the town to mark where Class V roads become Class VI so that we can check frontages more easily. The board decided that we would like a site review which has been set for June 2 at 6:45 p.m. This was all right with the Colburns, and Duffy will try to be there. Mike then asked if the presenters had more information they wanted us to know. The board commented that the wetlands along New Boston Road should be marked better. Abutters mentioned that they were not worried about drainage from the proposed driveway. Peter mentioned the common driveway and asked how the houses on this were going to be marked for emergency vehicles. Mr. Murray said the town of Brookline has regulations. We will try to get a copy of this. The board then
continued the public portion of the hearing to June 2 at 6:45 p.m. when we will have the site walk.
The board looked at the 4 large maps that Southwest has sent us. We agreed that we would like to gradually obtain all the maps. We will look into having them laminated and also look into a way of keeping them stored flat.
Mike went over the mail. There is a notice from selectmen of a meeting on May 27 for department heads. There was also a copy of the budget. We need to know if the cost of the maps etc would come out of the Master Plan budget. There were two invoices from Upton & Hatfield. One was for $544 for meetings or calls to John Teague which Mike approved. The bill for $291 on the Mitchell-Mason subdivision raises questions about who should pay this. Mike will check on it.
At 9:00 p.m. we held a Preliminary Conceptual Consultation with Ann & Peter Wiese who own 40 acres on New Boston Road. Peter Hopkins was also present. A roadway runs through their property making a small non-conforming lot and one large lot, but they are receiving one tax bill and we would not consider the roadway an intervening abutter. Mr. Pratt is planning to subdivide the adjoining property and is willing to sell 20 acres to the Wieses. They would like to add these 20 acres to the small portion of their land and make a buildable lot. If this is not possible, then they would not buy the land. There are questions about the amount of frontage on a Class 5 road that the small lot has. According to Duffy the phone pole at the bottom of the hill marks the end of the Class 5 portion. They
are in a rural/agricultural zone so they need 350 feet of frontage and they may be a few feet short. The board feels that they need to find out the actual frontage measurement before they can make any decision. Mike will drop the small drawing off at Southwest for their comments. Various ideas were discussed such as getting a conservation easement from Mr. Pratt, creating a backlot, getting a variance from the ZBA, moving the pin if they own the road, etc. We also need to know the easiest way to go about adding the new land to their present property and then subdividing the 20 acres and the small portion into a separate lot. We will let them know what Southwest comes up with as soon as possible.
The board then decided to meet after the June 2 site walk so that we can begin work on the Subdivision Review/Update list. Marilyn has worked with Duffy and sent a new draft of driveway regulations which we will go over.
Mike brought up the Mitchell-Mason subdivision hearing from last week. Apparently there were complaints from Mr. Mitchell about the way the meeting was handled and the unprofessional way the board acted. In order to make sure hearings are held correctly, we will write up new Rules of Behavior setting guidelines. Mike also called Silas Little and got a copy of the court decision that he referred to when he explained why he objected to one of the board members participating in the decision. In order to keep control of the meeting the board agreed that we will take no remarks from the audience during deliberations.
The meeting adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
Jean Cernota
Secretary
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