HANSON PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of the Pine Hill Estates Subdivision
Continued Public Hearing of
July 7, 2005
CALL TO ORDER - 7:15 p.m.
Members Present: Philip Lindquist, Chairman
Gerard LeBlanc, Vice Chairman
Joan DiLillo, Member
Gordon Coyle, Member
Others Present: Town Planner Noreen O’Toole
Administrative Assistant Barbara Ferguson
The Board met with Edward Johnson and Bernard Munro of Land Planning, Inc. of Hanson for a continued discussion on the proposed development of a 12-lot subdivision off East Washington Street to be called Pine Hill Estates. Also present was John DeLano from John W. DeLano and Associates, Inc., the Board’s review engineer on the project.
Chairman Philip Lindquist told his fellow Board members that since the last hearing session the office had received a revised plan from Land Planning, Inc., dated June 22, 2005 and a waiver request to allow the construction of a dead-end roadway greater than 500 feet. The request from Land Planning, Inc. indicated that the proposed road is 1,742 +/- feet long and provides access to 12 proposed lots. The actual dead end street is 408 +/- feet long.
He said that the office had also received a July 7, 2005 review letter from John W. Delano and Associates, Inc. The letter stated that Mr. DeLano had no concern with the requested waiver. Mr. DeLano also said a detailed grading plan for the finish grades over the two drainage areas at the entrance should be included with the final plans.
Three street trees, he said, should be planted on Parcel A and also four street trees should be planted along the drainage easement on the east side of the entrance. One of the required trees for each of the drainage parcels, he said, should be a maple tree. The predominant tree along this section of East Washington Street is the maple, Mr. DeLano said; therefore, one maple tree on each side of the entrance will keep the specie of tree along the street more consistent with the existing vegetation. A landscaping plan for Parcel A and the drainage easement, he said, should be submitted to the Planning Board for approval. The landscaping plan should add to the beautification of the entrance in consideration of the Planning Board allowing these types of
parcels to be approved.
Motion to grant a waiver from Section 6.5.6 of the Planning Board Rules and Regulations: Joan DiLillo
Second: Gordon Coyle
Vote: 4-0
Town Planner Noreen O’Toole noted that Specific Conditions 3, 4, and 5 of the Certificate of Action that has been prepared for Pine Hill Estates reflect the recommendations in Mr. DeLano’s report relative to the planting of trees on Parcel A and in the drainage easement. She further noted that there will two trees on each lot in the subdivision as required in the Board’s rules and regulations. Developer Edward Johnson said that those trees would either be maple trees or pear trees. The Board said a decision of the type of tree to be planted on the individual lots could be made later.
Catherine Douglas of Harvey Circle asked if the same type of underground drainage system that was to be installed on Parcel A could be installed in the rear drainage area as she is concerned with the potential impact of the basin on her property. Mr. DeLano said that he looked at the basin and determined the one that was proposed was the best design for that area based on volume. He said the basin would not overflow except under extreme flooding conditions. Mr. Munro said that the developer would be filing for a hearing before the Conservation Commission as soon as the Planning Board hearing closed. He noted that it will also be necessary to go before the Board of Appeals for lots that fall with the Agricultural-Recreation Zoning District.
Motion to close the hearing: Joan DiLillo
Second: Gordon Coyle:
Vote: 4-0
Gordon Coyle said that he still had a problem with Parcel A. He said that the Board had been inconsistent in requiring developers to comply with the corner lot provisions of the Zoning Bylaw. Town Planner Noreen O’Toole said that the Board had required developers to comply when they were proposing to make an existing lot non-conforming. Others developers, she said, had been allowed to create parcels for drainage or other specific purposes. The Board’s decisions, she said, had been made on a case-by-case basis. She noted that a potential amendment to the corner lot provision is currently being reviewed by the Zoning Bylaw Committee. Developer Edward Johnson reminded the Board that there were no negative comments when a
conceptual plan was presented. Mr. Munro said that this subdivision needed a drainage parcel because the water runs downhill.
Motion to approve the subdivision with conditions: Joan DiLillo
Second: Gerry LeBlanc
Vote: 3-1 (Gordon Coyle dissenting)
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