Minutes of Meeting— January 16, 2007
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:30 p.m., Chairman Robert D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Tom Collins, Robert D’Amelio, Rodney Frias, Dirk Underwood, Jennifer Burke, Town Planner and Teresa Vickery, Clerk
Planner’s Report
Julian Lane
The Board is in receipt of a request for a bond amount. DPW has provided an amount. The developer is questioning the amount of erosion control, the fire alarm and the retaining wall. Ms. Burke will contact DPW and get a new amount for the next meeting.
Falls Brook
Ms. Burke stated that it has been over a year since the streets were accepted and Mr. Farooq Ansari is asking for his bond release. Max Kamel from DPW has come up with a list of things that still need to be completed. However, Mr. Ansari claims they are not his responsibility. Tony Marques will review the list and will update the Board concerning the applicant’s responsibilities.
Lauren Heights
The Board is in receipt of a request for bond reduction from Mike O’Malley for Lauren Heights. The DPW has provided an amount of $168,423.50.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to reduce the bond for the Lauren Heights to $168,432.50 per the DPW recommendation.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Chestnut Hill Estates
Ms. Burke informed the Board that an ANR was never formally approved. The lot was shown on the approved plans as subdivision approval not required. Atty. Cipriano told Ms. Burke that a Form A would need to be approved.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins made a motion to accept Form A .
Vote: 3-0-1, Mr. Underwood abstained from the vote.
WestRidge
Present were: David Eastridge
Gabe Thaisz
Doug Hartnett, Principal Engineer, Cubellis
Mr. Eastridge presented the plan to the Board. The modifications result in 4 less units being built. Most of the changes involved slightly shifting road locations and unit placements. This would allow all the models to be clustered together.
Mr. Frias asked whether the overall gross square footage would be reduced. Mr. Eastridge said that the final determination would be made when the units are sold. Due to the reduction of the units it is probable, however it will not be determined until the units are bought/built to the buyers specifications.
Mr. D’Amelio asked how many different detached home styles are available to the buyers. Mr. Eastridge stated that currently there are 6 various styles but by the end of the project there could be up to 8 or 9. The minimum building separation will be 15 feet for the detached units and 20 feet for the attached.
Mr. Eastridge explained to the Board that the applicant feels these modifications are minor and the original engineering remains intact. Mr. Collins asked him whether the original grading had been altered. Mr. Eastridge stated that there has been a bit of tweaking. The grades on the street may change however not on the actual units. Mr. D’Amelio asked if there is a plan drawn up that shows the utilities and the grading, Mr. Eastridge explained that it is currently being drawn up.
Mr. Hartnett addressed the Board. He stated that the drainage shifts are extremely minor and he assured the Board that the grades for the road are still 5%.
Mr. D’Amelio suggested having the DPW or SEA Consultants look at the modifications. He feels that this may be the first of many changes to come. Mr. Eastridge assured the Board that the upcoming changes would be very minor if there were any at all. He said that once the streets are constructed they cannot be moved and they were going to begin construction in a couple of months.
The Board requested a copy of any ZBA decisions from Ms. Burke. Ms. D’Amelio wants Mr. Eastridge to forward a copy of the plan that will show grades and utilities and then the Board will decide if they will need to send them to SEA.
Washington Street Rezoning Discussion
Present were: Thomas DiPersio
Thomas DiPersio, Jr.
The DiPersio’s approached the Board to discuss possibly rezoning the westerly side at the southern end of Washington Street. It is currently zoned C-12 at the 99 Restaurant and Charles Rio’s property and SA-8 from Dr. Girard’s house up to the Marlborough/Hudson line. They are proposing that the zoning be changed to C-12 up to the town line. They feel that the traffic conditions/patterns make it a very commercial area. The property values have been impacted by the development on the other side of the street. If the commercial zone were extended south it would provide a better buffer than the residential properties across the street from the industrial zone.
The Board expressed concern that the C-12 zoning would be too relaxed. Mr. DiPersio suggested a possible restricted commercial zone. The allowed uses would be professional offices similar to the types of uses allowed with a home occupation.
The DiPersio’s noted that they had held a meeting with the neighbors from Vernon Drive. Ms. Burke also attended that meeting. The meeting was not successful. Many of the residents attended and expressed concern regarding the “commercial creep”.
Mr. DiPersio noted that a couple of his neighbors, Charles Rio and Michael Girard would support the zoning change if it was proposed with a restricted commercial zone.
The Board would like some time to consider the change. The DiPersio’s agreed to wait until November for the change. The Board said it would work with the proponent over the next few months to develop the new zone.
Planning Board Vacancy
Ms. Burke informed the Board that she had posted a notice concerning the recent vacancy on the Planning Board due to the death of Sante Parente. A couple of people have expressed interest. Ms. Burke stated that the Board could fill the position or ask the Selectmen to leave it empty until the election. The Board will interview interested candidates at the special meeting on March 13, 2007.
Minutes
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias moved to approve the minutes of October 25, 2006, as corrected
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Canceled Meeting
Rodney Frias, seconded by Bob D’Amelio made a motion to cancel the meeting for February 6, 2007.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
256 Washington Street, Walgreen’s – Site Plan Review
The Board is in receipt of an email from Atty. Giannetti asking for a continuation.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 256 Washington Street until March 20, 2007 at 7:45 p.m.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Robert D’Amelio, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 8:50 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
