HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of the Pine Hill Subdivision
Public Hearing of
April 20, 2005
I. CALL TO ORDER - 8:00 p.m.
Members Present: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Gerard LeBlanc, Vice Chairman
David Nagle, Clerk
Joan DiLillo, Member
Gordon Coyle, Member
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
Chairman Philip Lindquist advised all present that the meeting was being tape recorded and reviewed the agenda for the public hearing. He asked if all abutters had been properly notified and was advised by Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson that certified mail receipts for all abutters had been received by the Planning Board office. Vice Chairman Gerard LeBlanc read the following public hearing notice published in The Hanson Express on March 31 and April 7, 2005.
TOWN OF HANSON
PLANNING BOARD
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Hanson Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 8:00 p.m. in the Hanson Town Hall, 542 Liberty Street, Hanson, MA on a definitive subdivision plan showing a 12-lot residential subdivision Off East Washington Street. The plan is further identified as Lots 12 and 15 on Assessors Map 114. Deed to said property is recorded in Plymouth District Registry of Deeds, Book 29774, Page 223. The subdivision, entitled Pine Hill Estates, is located in Hanson, MA and dated February 28, 2005 by Land Planning, Inc.,1115 Main Street, Hanson, MA 02341. The plan was submitted by Edward G. Johnson, P.O. Box 359, Hanson, MA 02341. A copy of the subdivision plan is available in the Hanson Town Clerk’s Office and in the Planning Board office
for review.
HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Philip R. Lindquist Chairman
David Nagle, Clerk
March 31, April 7, 2005
II. Presentation of plans from applicant/engineer
The developer’s engineer, Bernard Munro of Land Planning, Inc. of Hanson told the Board that a 1,700 foot roadway was planned for the proposed 12-lot subdivision off East Washington Street. The proposed subdivision, he said, sits atop a pine knoll. Some preliminary perc tests have been done at the site which, he said, has good gravel. He said that the property abuts the Indian Head River and property in the Town of Hanover. The plans show a FEMA line which indicates the flood plain for that area, Mr. Munro said. The proposed development, he said, will be 30 feet above the flood plain. The uphill grade, Mr. Munro said, is the reason for a basin in the front. There is also a second drainage basin within the development. The
grade coming into the site, he said, is 2.75. He showed the areas of cut and fill on the plans for the Board and the abutters in attendance and said that as many trees as possible will be retained.
III. Questions from abutters
ABUTTING COMMUNITIES
Hanover Planning Board - No Response
Halifax Planning Board - No Response
Pembroke Planning Board - No Response
Whitman Planning Board - No Response
Rockland Planning Board - No Response
East Bridgewater Planning Board - No Response
HANSON ABUTTERS
John Davis - Present, No Response.
Charles Mann - Satisfied developer has met all concerns.
Robert & Anne MacDonald
Mark & Karen Bethoney
Eric and Carole Nagobads
Paul & Leslee McGovern - Mr. McGovern expressed concerns with the proposed drainage system. Mr. Munro explained how the system would work. In answer to a question concerning the wetlands on the site, Mr. Munro said that the developer would have to go before the Conservation Commission. Mrs. McGovern noted that Lot 5 is close to the Indian Head River. He showed where the house on the lot would be located. In response to a question about the existing house, Mr. Munro said that it would be moved to new location.
Richard & Andrea Larsen
Christopher & Concetta Colclough - Mr. Colclough, whose property abuts Lot 5, asked if the developer planned to leave any trees on that lot. Mr. Munro said there is a wetlands related buffer zone in which the trees cannot be cut. The septic system will be in the front yard on that lot, Mr. Munro said, which will lessen the need to cut trees to the rear of the house.
Donald & Claire Howard - Mr. Howard said that he did not like the plans for retention areas especially for the one at the intersection with East Washington Street. He asked that consideration be given to connecting to existing town drainage in East Washington Street. Drainage areas serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, he said. He also noted there is lady slipper growth on the property. Mr. Munro questioned whether connection to the town drainage system would be allowed.
James & Judith Sidlauskas
David Howard - Mr. Howard said that his property is also near Lot 5 and he was concerned about the location of the septic system. Mr. Munro said that it would be in front of the house. He expressed concern with the number of trees that are going to be cut.
Dwight Howard & Yolanda Elva - Mr. Howard asked for the location of the septic systems and was shown their locations on the plan by Mr. Munro.
D.J., Irma, & Dwight Howard & Yolanda Elva
Kevin & Carol McCarthy
Kevin & Robin Main
Denise Schoener
William & Laura Richter - Mr. Richter said that he was concerned with the location of the drainage basin as he is at the low point and would be the most severely impacted. He said that he and his mother already have water problems. He said he was also concerned about the relocation of the existing house and would like a privacy fence constructed. His final concern was about the traffic existing onto East Washington Street. He said that there is a rise in the road in proximity to the proposed entrance and there have been automobile accidents there. He also asked about fire hydrants and was told the Fire Chief has cited the need for three additional hydrants.
Jean Richter
John & Suzanne Davis
Edward Johnson
Nathan Church & Stephanie Farrington
Charles & Leanne Main
Donald & Deane Howard
Phoebe Brown
Deane & Joanne Howard
David & Dawn Blauss
Paul & Nancy Lykus
Susan & David Lundgren - Mr. Lundgren of Harvey Circle expressed concern with the location of the detention basins. He said the Indian Head River sometimes comes within 20 feet of his shed. He said that a six lot subdivision is planned in Hanover on the other side of the river.
Cory & Barbara Frasier
Catherine Douglas - Ms. Douglas expressed concern with the location of the basins and the potential for water in her yard. She also expressed concern with the number of trees that will be cut. She said that she was surprised at the number of homes that were proposed based on information that she had been given about the extent of the existing wetlands.
Donald & Kathleen Bernier - Mr. Bernier expressed concern that the development will cause water problems on Harvey Circle where there are a lot of young families. He said that the Indian Head River already floods basements. Mrs. Bernier also questioned the cutting of trees noting that she and her husband had been told they could not cut trees on their property. The Berniers were told that the drainage basins are supposed to be empty in 24 hours after a storm. The town is responsible for cleaning them once the road has been accepted, Mr. Munro said. Up until that time the developer is responsible.
Donald & Patricia Sweeney
Thomas & Margaret Whiteside
Paul & Elise Dauksevicz
Thomas & Christine Piertoski
Susan and Peter Hannon
Erik Perkins
HANOVER ABUTTERS
Daniel & Ruth Mortland - No Response
George & Valerie Osborne - No Response
Charles Mann told the Board that he gave the town an easement which he said could be used for positive drainage. Mr. Lindquist said that the Board would have to check with the Highway Surveyor.
IV. Questions from public
There were no questions from the public.
V. Questions/Comments from other Town Boards/Departments
A. Police Department
Chairman Lindquist read an April 19, 2005 memo from Police Lieutenant Richard Gredler indicating that he had no public safety concern. The line of sight from the proposed intersection seems adequate, he said, and the distance from the intersection of Winter and E. Washington Streets also seems adequate.
B. Water Department
Chairman Lindquist read an April 14, 2005 memo fromWater Superintendent Glen Doherty stating that the few issues he has are that the water main is not looped and ductile iron is required for water mains not PVC as stated on the plans. He suggested a meeting with the developers to discuss the water main requirements that have not been met.
C. Fire Department
Chairman Lindquist read an April 5, 2005 memo from Fire Chief Allen Hoyt stating that three additional hydrants will be required and noting the need for a looped water main layout.
D. Board of Health
The Board received no response to its February 17, 2005 request for comments.
E. Building Inspector
Chairman Lindquist read a March 29, 2005 memo from Building Commissioner David Bonney stating that the developer is creating a non-conforming lot from Parcel A which results in the circumvention of the zoning bylaw relative to a lot that has frontage on two streets.
G. Conservation Commission
Chairman Lindquist read a March 30, 2005 memo stating that the applicant must come before the Conservation Commission and file a Notice of Intent. The memo stated that there is a question of what the Mean Annual High Water Mark is in relation to Indian Head Brook.
H. Highway Surveyor
The Board received no response to its February 17, 2005 request for comments.
VI. Questions from Planning Board Members
Joan DiLillo noted that another builder has decided to install french drains around the foundations of his new homes to help diminish water flow onto other people’s property and onto the main roadway. She suggested that consideration be given to the use of these drains on low spots within this subdivision. Mr. Munro said that water in this subdivision will be absorbed into the ground much more quickly than in the subdivision to which she was referring. She still recommended their use to ease the concerns of the abutters. She also asked that a maintenance schedule for the drainage be given to the Highway Department before the roadway in the subdivision goes before town meeting for acceptance.
Gordon Coyle said that he saw the creation of Parcel A as a way of skirting the town’s frontage regulations.
Gerard LeBlanc said that he too saw the drainage lot as problematic. He said the use of positive drainage should be investigated. Mr. Munro said that an overflow is proposed to the existing catch basins on East Washington Street.
David Nagle asked if the developer planned to replace trees and was told that trees will be left as a natural buffer between lots. He also said he will try to save as many trees as possible.
VII. Comments from Board’s Engineer
John W. DeLano of John W. DeLano and Associates, Inc. said that he had compiled a list of typical housekeeping items he would like to discuss with Mr. Munro. He said that he also had eight concerns he would like the Board to consider.
His concerns for the Board were the sight distance from the intersection with East Washington Street, the lack of streetlights on East Washington Street, the infiltration/detention basin at the entrance, the need to review soil logs, mitigation of potential flooding on East Washington Street, screening and landscaping for infiltration basin #1, a safety barrier for infiltration basin #2, and the need for a gravel access road to the detention basin.
VIII. Findings
Motion to continue the public hearing for Pine Hill Estates to May 18, 2005 at 8:30 p.m.: Gerard LeBlanc
Second: Joan DiLillo
Vote: 5-0
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