Planning Board Meeting Minutes
June 26, 2007
Memorial Town Hall
Members Present: C. Stanovich, R. Ricker, O. Lies, C. Prager, D. Lindberg, W. Ritter
Others Present: Pamela Harding, Senior Planner
7:30 PM the Planning Board meeting was called to order.
Public Hearing 7:30 p.m. Holden Hills Retirement Community The public hearing was opened at 7:30 p.m. The Board and applicant had drafts of a decision incorporating conditions on the Conservation Restriction recommended by Town Counsel. O. Lies stated he was under the impression the Special Permit would require the applicant to conduct Town cross country skiing programs. David Philbin, the applicants attorney, stated the applicant would consider allowing such a use but would not agree to it as a requirement due to liability and damage to the golf course that may result. R. Ricker made a motion to close the public hearing, D. Lindberg seconded the motion all were in favor. No one opposed waiving the reading of the 8 page decision. William. Ritter made a motion to approve conditions outlined in the
decision labeled draft and attached to the minutes for the record, David Lindberg in favor, Carol Prager was in favor, Otto Lies opposed, Craig Stanovich in favor, Robert Ricker in favor, the site plan special permit was approved by a 5-1 vote.
Public Hearing Greenwood II Definitive Subdivision – the hearing was opened at 7:50 and public hearing notice was read into record. George Kiritsy, Attorney was representing the applicant. This subdivision was originally submitted in 2000 and denied by the Planning Board. The applicant submitted an application stating that all conditions of denial have been satisfied. Various revisions have been submitted to the town throughout the appeal process, the applicant worked with the Department of Public Works Engineering Lawrence Galkowski to satisfy issues of denial.
W. Ritter explained that the plan was regulated by the zoning requirements that existed prior to May, 2000 due to Massachusetts legislation which allows grandfathering. If the plan meets the issues of denial, zoning, and subdivision requirements the Board is obligated to approve the plan. G. Sullivan, 16 Harrington Dr. requested conditions of denial be read into record. Various members of the audience spoke.
Al Ferron, 55 Appletree Lane, stated that 51% of lots have more than a 25 degree slope, the property discharges into Unionville Pond and weed growth in Town waterbodies is increasing. The project will generate more then 200 cars, concerned with the safety of the intersection at Union Street and Highland Street as well as the site distance from Highland Street to the proposed roadway. Concerned with the maintenance and money required to maintain detention basins. Suggested the Developer sell the land to the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Paul Henderson, 84 Union St. concerned the intersection of Union St. and Highland St. cannot handle additional traffic
David Lundergan, 39 Union St also concerned with traffic, as is Carol. Brewer, 497 Reservoir St.
J. Zingarelli, Town Engineer stated that he was not exactly sure what the improvement plans were for the intersection but his recollection was that a 90% turn was going to be required, involving a land taking.
J. Falcone, 10 Union St., asked about the protection of wetlands and the brook. He also stated that Union Ave. is dangerous and has no place sidewalks or bike lanes. He questions how long construction will take, R. Ricker state that construction will be driven by market conditions and the phased growth by-law, which only permits 20% of build out per year.
D. Chasity, 21 Thayer Circle, is concerned about increased runoff.
Carr 257 Highland Street stated that Union Street was narrow and visibility was poor, asked
if a soil survey had been completed.
B Lundergan, 39 Union St. stated that headlights of cars exiting the proposed roadway will be directed into her home.
T. Handsen, 52 Harrington Way asked if land surveying was redone, G. Kiritsy stated that it was not he then questioned how they transposed old information on to revised plans. Wants developer responsible for any change in drainage conditions.
D. McFalrand, 50 Union St. asked if the intersection of Union and Highland could be eliminated creating a dead end. R. Ricker stated that access of public safety vehicles would be impaired and abandonment of a roadway would require a Town meeting vote.
J. Scannell, DCR representative asked that specific conditions regarding phasing of the project be adopted so the entire site does not have exposed soil which will erode. He also requested that the applicant be required to follow the proposed grading for the lots as presented on the plan.
G. Sullivan asked the Board to specify how the five issues of denial have been addressed. C. Stanovich responded that he was not sure the issues were addressed to the Planning Boards satisfaction.
W. Ritter asked if the developer would be opposed to a condition which prevented the connection of the roadways to Thayer Circle. The applicant stated they would not.
The Planning Board requested the DPW Director attend the next meeting and address the following concerns related to improvements at the intersection of Union Avenue and Highland Street.
What are the proposed improvements at the intersection of Union and Highland
What is the timeframe for these improvements, (both with and without the development)
Costs of improvements were estimated at $800,000, the applicant has agreed to submit $200,000.00 toward these improvements, where will the additional funds come from and when will they be available.
The applicant should explore the expansion of sidewalks.
The applicant submitted a written request to continue the public hearing to August 14, 2007 at 7:30, W. Ritter made the motion to continue the public hearing to August 14, 2007 D. Lindberg seconded the motion all were in favor.
APPROVALS NOT REQUIRED:
643 Bullard Street – Lundquist R-1 The applicant is dividing a parcel from an existing house lot to transfer ownership to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. W. Ritter made a motion that the plan was entitled to endorsement, R. Ricker seconded all were in favor.
122 Paxton Road Jeffrey Cogswell – the applicant is rearranging lot lines for the transfer of property, no new lots are being created. W. Ritter motioned that the plan was entitled to endorsement, R. Ricker seconded all were in favor.
OTHER BUSINESS:
O. Lies felt that technical assistance was available from CMRPC for the Expedited Permuting Chapter 43D legislation to aid in educating municipalities. A summary of Chapter 43D will be provided to the Board members for the July 17, 2007 meeting if they are interested a letter will be forwarded to CMRPC.
NEXT MEETINGS: July 17, 2007, at 7:30 PM. at the Memorial Town Hall.
R. Ricker motioned to close Planning Board meeting. C. Prager seconded. All in favor.
Adjourned at 10:45 PM.
June 26, 2007 meeting minutes approved: August 14, 2007
Debra A. Sciascia
Recording Secretary
| 
