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06/12/2012
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
June 12, 2012
Memorial Town Hall

Members Present:        W. Ritter, D. Lindberg, A. Bonofiglio O. Lies, J. Head, S. Carlson

Others Present: Deb Sciascia, Recording Secretary,
        Steve Mentzer, Bob Ferguson, Jim Zingarelli, DPW, TCC

7:00 PM:  W. Ritter called the Planning Board meeting to order.

TRANSPORTATION AND CIRCULATION COMMITTEE - Access Management Plan:  The TCC members S. Mentzer, B. Ferguson, & J. Zingarelli are in attendance to discuss possible By law changes to improve traffic flow along Main Street.  The Board has a copy of the Holden Access Management Plan and a sample By law of an Access Overlay District from Southwick for review.  TCC has met with the Implementation Committee regarding issues of sidewalks, and a traffic management plan.  They have agreed to go forth with a plan.

They are asking the Planning Board to review the ‘College Highway Access Management Overlay District’.  They are proposing that the Board incorporate an Access Management Plan, to be used as a guideline when reviewing site plans.

W. Ritter discussed common driveways, parking lots, and shared parking areas.  P. Harding thought that the Board may just want to tweak the parking and landscaping requirements of the site plan bylaw.  J. Head agreed that it should be part of the site plan review.  J. Zingarelli will put something together.

O. Lies said that CMRPC had a presentation for ‘walkable’ communities that J. Zingarelli and TCC would have found helpful.

W. Ritter would like to see the prioritized report for sidewalks, and asked P. Harding to check the sidewalk fund, and get it to the Board for review.  He also asked J. Zingarelli to check the rock on Newell Rd, the grading near his house, and culvert.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.

STONEY BROOK ESTATES – Amendment to Phasing Plan:  Attorney George Kiritsy represented the applicants.  A former amendment to the subdivision plan incorporated a four phase construction plan.  The applicant would like to reverse Phase II and Phase III.  Town staff has no issues with the amendment.  Comments have been received from the fire chief to ensure adequate emergency access is maintained.  P. Harding said that the amendment to the phasing plan is an insignificant change to the subdivision.

A. Bonofiglio motioned to reverse Phase II and Phase III.  D. Lindberg seconded.  All in favor.


Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office:  Stoney Brook Estates, Amendment to Phasing Plan, Phase II & Phase III.

STONEY BROOK ESTATES - Partial Release of Covenant and Tri-Party Agreement:  The applicant is requesting partial release of covenant for Phase 2A, as represented on the revised plans.  This Phase only consists of 300’ of roadway, and DPW has a bond recommendation.  George Kirity, Attorney for the applicant, explained how a bond works to S. Carlson.

D. Lindberg asked if Blair was current in their inspection fees.  J. Zingarelli will check.

J. Head motioned to reduce the bond as recommended by DPW Engineering, from $160,418.30 to $36, 663.68 to reflect construction of utilities and installation of asphalt binder in the roadway.  D. Lindberg seconded.  Vote 5-1, S, Carlson opposed, APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.  Stoney Brook Estates, Inc., 87 Main St., Rutland, MA, Plan dated 5/18/12.

APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED:

Stoney Brook Estates Subdivision, C.B. Blair Development Corp., R-1 Zoning District: The applicant is amending lot lines of four lots within the subdivision.  No new lots are being created.

O. Lies motioned to endorse the plan.  A. Bonofiglio seconded.  Vote 6-0, all in favor, APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.  Stoney Brook Estates, Inc., 87 Main St., Rutland, MA, Plan dated 5/18/12.

Sunnyside Avenue, Kevin & Billie Smith, R-10 Zoning District:  The applicant is creating an additional building lot.  Both lots are currently vacant and have sufficient area and frontage.  This is where the house burnt down.  The plan is entitled to endorsement.

O. Lies motioned to approve.  J. Head seconded.  Vote 6-0, all in favor, APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office:  Applicant Ronald P. Thunberg PL.S., 10 Phelps Place, W. Boylston, MA 01583 for Kevin W. Smith, Dated 6/6/12.

BULLARD ESTATES, Tri-Party Agreement Release of Covenant Establishment of Bond:  The Bullard Estates subdivision is currently under Covenant, restricting the sale of individual lots.  The infrastructure and binder paving have been complete and DPW has recommended a bond amount.  The Board has the calculation worksheet for review.

J. Head motioned to reduce the bond from $706,722.19 to $174, 838.03 as recommended by J. Zingarelli, DPW Engineer.  A. Bonofiglio seconded.  Vote 6-0, all in favor, APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office:  Bond reduction letter dated March 28, 2012.

ZBA RECOMMENDATIONS:

Variance, Jonathan & Robin Pratt, 29 Winthrop Lane:  W. Ritter recused himself from the meeting.  This is a pre-existing non-conforming lot in an R-2 zoning district.  The applicant is seeking a variance from the 15’ sideyard setback requirement to allow for an addition, which is 11’ from the lot line.

J. Head motioned no recommendation due to limited planning significance.  D. Lindberg seconded.  Vote 5-0, W. Ritter abstained from the vote.  APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office:  Application for Hearing and Finding of Fact, Case No. V1205, Dated May 20, 2012.

W. Ritter rejoined the meeting.

Variance. Francis & Betty Warner, 116 High Street:  This is a pre-existing non-conforming lot and the applicant is seeking a variance in an R-1 zoning district, from the 30’ front yard setback requirement to allow for an addition, which is 23’ from the lot line.

O. Lies motioned to approve.  J. Head seconded.  Vote 6-0, all in favor, APPROVED.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office:  Application for Hearing and Finding of Fact, Dated May 29, 2012.

HIGHLANDS OF HOLDEN, Vista Circle, Waiver Request for Street Trees:  The applicant withdrew their request for a waiver.

Documents presented during review can be viewed in the Town Planners office.

OTHER BUSINESS:
  • Westminster Village / Tea Party Circle:  A. Bonofiglio informed the Board that where Sundin is clearing, the logging trucks are running over the sprinklers and the grass strip.  P. Harding will notify the owner.
  • NEXT MEETING:  June 26, 2012.  CMRPC will be attending the meeting to present the Central 13 Regionalization Project.  ECC, Con Com, the Master Plan & Implementation Committees, Department Heads, Selectmen, and the Town Manager will also be invited.  
  • July Meeting:  W. Ritter would like to schedule the July meeting for the Special Permit for Val’s Restaurant for July 10, 2012.  P. Harding will be away, but D. Lipka will cover the meeting.  D. Hazen, DPW, is reviewing the application.
  • Ground Breaking:  The Board is invited to the ground breaking at the Oriole facility, June 29, 2012.
  • Appeal for Westminster Village:  Attorney Jeffrey Roeloff has appealed the Planning Board’s denial creating two lots within the Westminster Village ANR.
  • Town of Princeton Windmill:  S. Carlson informed the Board that the 3 year old windmill in Princeton already needs major repairs.
A. Bonofiglio motioned to adjourn.  D. Lindberg seconded.  All in favor.

Adjourned 8:40 PM.

June 12, 2012 Minutes approved: September 25, 2012              


                                                                        
Debra A. Sciascia, Recording Secretary