Planning Board Meeting Minutes
September 26, 2006
Memorial Town Hall
Members Present: R. Ricker, C. Stanovich, O. Lies, C. Prager, W. Ritter, D. Lindberg
Others Present: Pamela Harding, Senior Planner, Debra Sciascia, Recording Secretary
7:30 PM the Planning Board meeting was called to order.
7:30 PUBLIC HEARING contd., Special Permit Definitive Subdivision, Hill Woods Condominiums: C. Stanovich was not present for the first meeting, therefore D. Lindberg acted as chair. A draft review of Hill Woods Estates has been completed by Quinn Engineering Inc, which the Board has for review. The review was just received and the applicant has not had time to review the comments. P. Harding would like to review the comments in greater detail with the engineer prior to determining if the project can be conditionally approved.
Jesse Johnson, David Ross Associates: Presentation and discussion of main points that staff has concerns about. R. Ricker asked if the draft was acceptable, with just a few issues, some of which are relatively minor. The Board was concerned with drainage entering onto other properties located on Scott Terrace. C. Prager asked J. Johnson to outline the storm-water concerns. The concern was that there was no emergency outflow from one of the retention areas and that the capacity of the storm-water system in this area was not known so tie-in was not guaranteed at this time. A revised list will be available in a week or so. The engineer will be asked to come to the next meeting. R. Ricker said that everything was suppose to be completed by this meeting, and now is being told, by the
next meeting.
The Board is down one person, and C. Stanovich cannot vote. The applicant will need 5 out of 5 votes. W. Ritter stated that the applicant needs a written request for an extension. The applicant’s engineer is taking care of the waivers.
W. Ritter motioned to approve the applicants written request to a continuance of the public hearing until October 10, 2006, with a deadline of the filing of the decision until October 16, 2006. C. Prager seconded. C. Stanovich abstained from the vote. All in favor, vote 5-0
PUBLIC HEARING – Special Permit, Westminster Hollow, Fafard Realty, Newell Road: C. Stanovich read the Public Hearing Notice into record. A three year approval was placed on the development which now requires an extension of time. The applicant is requesting a two year extension of time. The developer has cleared a portion of the required buffer for the expansion of Newell Road. Mature plantings should be a condition of approval. Neighbors are concerned that the units are being marketed for family living with in-laws. 13 units have been constructed, including a fourplex, an eightplex, and a single family. Only four of the units are occupied. The road improvements for Newell Road have been delayed due to the time required for utility relocation. A
tree clearing hearing for the removal of shade trees in a public way has been scheduled.
Jeff Roloff, the applicant’s attorney from Anderson & Creager, summarized the letter submitted to the Board stating all construction will be completed in three years. Maps of the infrastructure were distributed to the Board for review. The performance bond is in place.
Public Comments:
David Cyganski, 94 Newell Rd: Lives across from the project. Trees were cleared in June. Concerned with breach of contract by the developer and the town. At lots 2, 3, 4, & 5, a 50’ area of trees were removed. He tried to contact the tree warden, and the DPW regarding the buffer removal. The light dept. was not given any request for moving the telephone poles either.
Walter Laptewicz, 90 Newll Rd: Lives across from the project. Concerned with the road repairs, replanting of trees, whatever is holding things up, the sequence of project events, and who to contact regarding the project.
Karl Makela, 60 Newell Rd: Concerned with the condition of the area, paving, the October 4th meeting regarding tree clearing, and would like to see the road widened and paved.
James Robinson, 98 Newell Rd: Has same concerns and stated that the area is a terrible eye sore. Wanted to know what happens if the extension is denied, and what will happen with the project in the future.
Board Comments:
W. Ritter: Stated the applicant is relocating the telephone poles. The light dept. was contacted August 6th, and there are some issues. The applicant would like to complete the roadway improvements by the end of next summer, which requires a two week shut down of the road.
C. Stanovich: Said the roadway improvements are required, and had to be done by the 3 year approval, which should have been done by now.
O. Lies: Last spring a representative for the applicant was at the meeting, and reminded that the deadline was September 2006.
R. Ricker: The issues are with Verizon and Charter who are working 6 months out.
W. Ritter: The clearing has encroached about 20’ into the buffer area. The applicant requested an extension to August 2006 to complete the roadway, but in the meantime is working with P. Harding to correct issues.
R. Ricker inquired as to the amount of the performance bond, and was told that it was established by DPW.
C. Prager: What happens if an extension of time was not granted. P. Harding stated that the project would come to a standstill.
W. Ritter: Recommended the hearing be tabled to the next meeting. The applicant needs to get dates in order for work to be completed, in order for the Board to review. O. Lies would like to see some repairs done in 30 days.
R. Ricker: The applicant needs a realistic date of completion. Also, some of their paperwork was not received. Recommends repair and replanting in the buffer zone now.
W. Ritter: Would like the applicant to submit confirmation from Charter, the Light Dept., and Verizon, regarding the exact location of the poles, and a buffer repair plan.
D. Lindberg: Agrees with the Boards comments, and doesn’t understand why Fafard isn’t cooperating with the neighbors.
The applicant would like to get together with DPW to see how much area they need for relocating poles, then do the re-plantings and get confirmation from the utilities. This needs to be in P. Hardings office by October 5, 2006.
W. Ricker motioned to close the Public Hearing and continue to October 10, 2006. The applicant requests a continuance of the extension of time. W. Ritter amended to motion to approve the extension of time and special permit to October 10, 2006. A Board super majority is needed for approval. All in favor to continue to October 10, 2006. Vote 4-0.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED:
Sterling Road, Ronald Thunberg: The applicant is creating one additional building lot in an R-40 zoning district. The lots meet zoning requirements and are entitled to endorsement. W. Ritter motioned to approve. R. Ricker seconded. All in favor. Vote 6-0.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
R. Ricker motioned to elect C. Stanovich Chairman. W. Ritter seconded. Vote 6-0.
O. Lies motioned to elect R. Ricker Vice Chairman. R. Ricker declined.
R. Ricker motioned to elect D. Lindberg Vice Chairman. W. Ritter seconded. O. Lies voted no. Vote 5-1.
R. Ricker motioned to elect C. Prager Secretary. W. Ritter seconded. All in favor.
MASTER PLAN UPDATE: Community Visioning Meeting will be conducted October 3, 2006 at 7 pm at the Holden Senior Center. R. Ricker discussed the I-91 connector, and FEMA emergency evacuation routes.
MEETING MINUTES:
June 13, 2006: C. Prager motioned to approve. R. Ricker seconded. C. Stanovich, W. Ritter, and D. Lindberg abstained from the vote. Vote 4-0.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Yard Sale Signs: C. Prager informed the Board that a house at the beginning of Malden Street, has a yard sale every weekend. P. Harding will check into it.
NEXT MEETINGS: October 10, 2006 at 7:30 PM. at the Memorial Town Hall.
W. Ritter motioned to adjourn the Planning Board meeting. D. Lindberg seconded. All in favor.
Adjourned at 9:35 PM.
September 26, 2006 meeting minutes approved: January 23, 2007
Debra A. Sciascia
Recording Secretary
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