HANSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF PUBLIC MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 2014
TOWN HALL, 542 LIBERTY STREET, HANSON, MA.
Members present: Donald Ellis, Chairman
Stephen Regan, Clerk
Joseph Gamache, Member
Joseph Weeks, Member
Absent: Patricia Glenn, Vice-Chair
Also present: Laurie Muncy, Town Planner
Virginia Costley, Administrative Assistant
II. ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Motion made to accept the minutes of January 13, 2014: Joseph Weeks
Second: Joseph Gamache
Vote: 4-0
III. APPOINTMENTS – 7:15 PM
Mark Ridder – Stonebridge Commons
Mr. Ridder came before the Board with the last section of road from the Winter Street side. He explained that after taking over from Pulte they reconfigured the units from four unit buildings to three unit buildings based upon the demand. The roadway (Stonebridge Drive) has been approved-no changes; just requesting approval for the reconfiguration of the buildings for a total of 41 units. From Winter Street there will be 105 units total and the last section will be off Liberty Street. Ridder pointed out at the end of the cul-de-sac there are two – 4 unit buildings and 1 five unit building, the rest are 8-three units and 2 – 2 unit buildings. The clubhouse will be constructed in October-November of 2014. Total
number of units when development is finished will be 121. Septic all set for 126 units, per Mr. Ridder.
The Board asked Mr. Ridder to talk to the Fire Chief as far as maintenance of the access road which leads to the nature walk. Maybe pavers or crushed gravel could be used as far as blending in with the pine needles. Also, the Board requested Mr. Ridder to contact Merrill Associates, Inc., engineer for the Planning Board, to perform an inspection to make sure the change in configuration doesn’t affect the location of the drains / catch basins.
Motion made to accept the change in the building configurations in this phase of the development at Stonebridge Commons: Stephen Regan
Second: Joseph Weeks
Vote: 4-0
IV. DISCUSSIONS
Mr. Bob Brady –Hemlock Hills
Town Counsel submitted a letter to the Planning Board regarding the surety bond for Hemlock Hills and the appropriate action to be taken: suspend any Planning Board action to declare the developer in default and take the security funds until Town Meeting is given an opportunity to accept the provisions of the penultimate paragraph of G.L.c41, s.81U. Ms. Muncy suggested taking the advice and adopting 81U because this has not been done and then go to step 2 to get the site completed. Concern in Step 2 is the fee in the road – copies of deeds were sent to Town Counsel and it appears that the developer did not keep the fee in the road. Without that, the Board would need signed off consent from each of the property owners before
moving forward with acceptance. The burden would then be on the property owners to supply the documentation needed to move forward. Would also need signoffs on easements plus drainage basins. Also needed will be a certified as built plan, an acceptance plan, layout plan, easements will need to be drafted for drainage areas on Lots 7 and 8 and road bounds will also be needed.
The Board suggested that the Ms. Muncy contact the Engineer for this subdivision and request a meeting with him so he can inform the Board what is needed and have him draw up the necessary documents. The Board will notify residents when a definite game plan is in place.
Motion made to suspend any Planning Board action to declare the developer in default and take the security funds until Town Meeting is given an opportunity to accept the provisions of the penultimate paragraph of G.L.c.41, s81U as set forth below. If Town Meeting votes to accept this paragraph the Town may use up to $100,000 of security funds taken or obtained in accordance with that statute to complete subdivision improvements without Town Meeting approval, provided that such expenditure is approved by the Board of Selectmen: Joseph Weeks
Second: Stephen Regan
Vote: 4-0
V. REVIEW OF ARTICLES for Town Meeting
Ms. Muncy drafted the article to relocate the Adult Entertainment District. In order to move forward on this, maps will need to be drawn up – recommending three (3) maps – if one article passes and not another one, you have to have a map that reflects the actual vote.
On Medical Marijuana Treatment Center, the sentence that allowed a facility to be constructed on any C/I parcel and called out Assessors Map and Lot numbers for Industrial Park and Hawkes Avenue has been deleted.
Ms. Muncy reminded the Board members that they have the disc for the Codification, Re-organizing and Indexing of the Town of Hanson Land Use Regulations Zoning By-law. These will be printed up for the Public Hearing.
The Sign By-law should be finalized at next Zoning By-law meeting of January 29th, 2014. Ms. Muncy informed the Board that they can add or delete to this at the Public Hearing.
Hearings are to be held on February 24th, 2014 – giving each article one-half hour apiece.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
Setbacks for Medical Marijuana Medical Facility should be changed or modified from 1,000 ft. to 500 ft. in a Residential area – map shows some residences in Overlay area. Per the Chairman, Mr. Ellis, the State indicates 500 ft. minimum away from where children congregate.
Motion made to decrease the setback from a residential structure for Medical Marijuana Medical Facility to 500 ft. as opposed to 1,000 ft.: Stephen Regan
Second: Joseph Gamache
Vote: 4-0
The Board agreed that the Board of Selectmen should be the Special Permit
Granting Authority for the Medical Marijuana facilities.
Next meeting date will be February 10, 2014 at 7:00 pm.
Public Hearing scheduled for February 24, 2014 at 7:00 pm.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motion made to adjourn: Joseph Gamache
Second: Joseph Weeks
Vote: 4-0
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