Minutes of Meeting— February 15, 2005
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:30 p.m., Chairman Robert L. D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Robert D’Amelio, Rodney Frias, Peter de Bakker, Dirk Underwood, and Tom Collins
Jennifer Burke, Town Planner
ANR
Present: Tom DiPersio, Sr., Thomas Land Surveyors
Lakeside Avenue
Mr. DiPersio presented the plan to the Board. The plan constitutes a land swap that will correct the encroachments by structures.
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to accept the plan entitled “Plan of Land in Hudson, MA.” Owned by Edwin Finn and FAS Realty Trust as drawn by Thomas Land Surveyors of Hudson, MA dated January 18, 2005 and authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Scenic Road Tree Cutting - Brook Street
Present: Tony Marques, DPW & William Gould, Hudson Light & Power
Mr. Marques presented the tree to be cut. It is a live 27” Maple located at Pole 1. This request is coming from Hudson Light and Power. Light and Power would like to put a switchbox up, because that is a feed for Lower Main Street. In inclement weather and if there is an accident, now there is potential to lose power. This will allow them to refeed Main Street in case of emergency. There is no proposal to replace the tree. Mr. Marques indicated that he had no concerns with removal of the tree. There was no input from the public.
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to close the public hearing.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Rodney Frias, moved to authorize the cutting of the tree with the condition that Hudson Light and Power provide the Park Commission with 2 trees with a minimum 2 ½ inch diameter each.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
710 Main Street – Site Plan Review continued
Present: Steve Poole, Consolidated Design Group
Mr. Poole reviewed the updated plans with the Board. He noted the changes and also spoke about his findings relative to the zoning conditions.
Mr. D’Amelio spoke about his concerns relative to the application. He noted section 7.1.2 of the zoning by-law allows the Board to consider that offensive uses should not be allowed. He indicated his willingness to deny the application. He asked the other Board members for their comments. Mr. de Bakker agreed and felt that enlargement was not necessary. Mr. Underwood agreed and indicated that the area does not lend itself to this expansion. Mr. Frias agreed and noted that all past decision were from the ZBA. Mr. Collins agreed and noted the public outpouring and commended the neighborhood for banding together and “fighting for themselves”.
Michelle Michela, 714 Main Street, offered her thanks the Board and appreciation for considering the neighbors opinions.
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, moved to close the public hearing for 710 Main Street.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, moved to deny the Site Plan for 710 Main Street for the protection of the adjoining property against detrimental of offensive uses on the site.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Scenic Road Wall Opening – Chestnut Street
Present: Tom DiPersio, Sr., Thomas Land Surveyors
Mr. DiPersio presented the plan to the Board. In order to put in the road for the Chestnut Hill subdivision, the developer needs to break the stone wall. He is planning to return the wall in the same condition up the sides of Sandy Knoll Drive. He also noted that the existing opening being used now would be closed.
Darryl Fillipe, 300 Chestnut Street, expressed his concern that the Planning Board ignored requests by the residents to maintain some of the trees along the road to protect the scenic nature of the road. Mr. DiPersio noted that his client followed the clearing limits. The Board indicated that they would look into what happened and see if there was anything that could be done.
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Rodney Frias, moved to close the public hearing.
Vote: 4-0-1, Dirk Underwood abstained
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Rodney Frias, moved to authorize the removal a resetting of the stone wall on Chestnut Street and the Sandy Knoll Drive intersection in accordance with plan entitled “ Plan of Land in Hudson” as drawn by Thomas Land Surveyors and dated January 5, 2005 with the condition that the existing field stones be used and that the existing opening be closed.
Vote: 4-0-1, Dirk Underwood abstained
South Street Park Expansion/Upgrade – Site Plan Review
Present: Linda Ghiloni & Michelle Ciccolo, Town of Hudson
Jeff Richards, Waterman Design
Ms. Ciccolo presented the project to the Board. The Town is submitting a grant application to expand and upgrade the South Street Park. The amenities include a skateboard park, play are and splash park. The hope is spur economic activity in the downtown.
Mr. Richards reviewed the plan with the Board. He noted the location of the amenities and outlined the proposed parking area. He reminded the Board that the entire site is in the floodplain and it remains balanced regarding floodplain storage. He also noted that the amount of impervious surface will be less than existing so that storm water management will remain.
The Board asked about trees to remain versus trees to be cut. Mr. Richard reviewed the planting plan with the Board. Mr. de Bakker asked about vies of the river. Mr. Richards indicated that there will be natural footpaths for people to follow. He also asked about locating the utilities underground. Ms. Ciccolo reviewed with the Board the future proposal for underground utilities on South Street.
Arthur Gordon, 100 Tower Street, asked about flood storage in the 100 year flood. Mr. Richard indicated that the whole park will be flooded.
Vincent Chaves, 30 Houghton Street, asked about residential over night parking. That has not been determined yet and can be discussed at a later date.
Mr. Underwood asked if there is a proposed entrance off the existing South Street Park. He was told yes.
Darryl Filippe, 300 Chestnut Street, asked if a hazardous waste survey had been done. Mr. Richards said one had and that the site was clean. He also asked about parking requirements for the welding shop if it is ever sold. Ms. Burke indicated that in a C-1 District there are no zoning requirements.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to close the public hearing and approve the site plan entitled “Local Permits for South Street Park Expansion in Hudson, MA” Owned by Town of Hudson as drawn by Waterman Design Associates, Inc. of Westborough, MA dated February 10, 2005 diagramatically with a minimum of ten parking spaces and authorize the Agent to sign.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Rodney Frias, moved to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter of support for the Town’s CDBG application for the South Street Park.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
469 River Road – Site Plan Review Waiver Request
Present: David Rykbost
Frederick Dusseault, Fire Chief
Mr. Rykbost presented his proposal to the Board. He indicated that his project has little impact and he thinks that a waiver is justified. The Board noted that the Building Commissioner has indicated his desire for Site Plan Review. The Board also noted memos from the DPW and the Fire Chief.
The Board also noted Ms. Burke’s memo regarding the conditions of the existing site. Given all this information the Board expressed discomfort waiving site plan review.
Chief Dusseault expressed his concern regarding the existing conditions and felt that the building’s sprinkler system may not be equipped to handle the type of businesses in the building. He would feel more comfortable if a third party fire protection engineer review the system.
The Board suggested that Mr. Rykbost meet with the Town Planner, the Building Commissioner and the Fire Chief to discuss what needs to occur to bring the site into compliance.
Mary Saaristo, Grove Street, expressed concern regarding the actions by the contractor during the construction phase of the project.
Peter de Bakker, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to close the public hearing.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Rodney Frias, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, moved to deny the site plan review waiver request for 469 River Road.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
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