Minutes of Meeting— March 20, 2007
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 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.
Planning Board Vacancy
The Board met with the three candidates interested in filling the vacancy. Mr. D’Amelio explained the procedure to them. He stated that the purpose for meeting with them was to be able to make an informed recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, if they so wish. He went on to say that in order for the candidates to be considered for recommendation to the Selectmen they would need to pull papers for the Town’s upcoming election.
James Vereault, Stewart Rappaport, and Erika Bigelow were the candidates before the Board. Each of them addressed the Board and gave them a brief description as to their work experience and interest in serving on the Board.
The candidates were then asked to attend the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 7:00PM. Erika and Stewart will be attending, however James is unable to attend.
Planner’s Report
Oak Ridge Estates
The Board is in receipt of a request for a bond amount for Oak Ridge Estates. The DPW has provided an amount of $111,915.00. The Developers Attorney will provide the tri-party agreement.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to set the bond for the Oak Ridge Estates at $111,915.00 per the DPW’s recommendation.
Vote: 3-0-1, with Tom Collins abstaining
Oak Ridge Estates
The Board is in receipt of an extension request for the completion of Oak Ridge Estates subdivision until March 15, 2008.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to grant the request for an extension for the completion of the subdivision until March 15, 2008.
Vote: 3-0-1, with Tom Collins abstaining
WestRidge Modifications
Present was: David Eastridge
Mr. Eastridge came before the Board to continue the discussion of modifying the original site plans for WestRidge Retirement Community. Mr. D’Amelio had many concerns and was not present at the last meeting, therefore the discussion was continued to this evenings meeting.
Mr. D’Amelio informed everyone that he had spoken with Tony Marques and that he did not have a problem with the water and sewer plans. He also stated that Tony believes that all the grades seem to fit in and blend together.
The Board requested that a log of revisions be instituted with a brief description of each of the modifications.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to accept revision #__ dated February 9, 2007 to the WestRidge Retirement Community site plan.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Walgreen’s Site Plan Review
Matt Smith of Boehler Engineering presented the Board with new plans that reflect changes to the previous plans. The modifications would extend the building on the southerly side, increasing the size from 12,300 Sq. Ft. to 14,500 Sq. Ft. Parking spaces were increased to 78 spaces per requirements of zoning by-laws. The loading functions were originally on the easterly side of the building, the new plans now show them on the southerly side. The reason for this change is to allow for easier queuing at the drive-thru pharmacy if cars get backed up. Mr. Smith was requesting feedback from the Board concerning these modifications.
Mr. D’Amelio noted that the plan showed that parking spaces located so as to block the queue for the exit. He pointed out that if the line were too long these spaces would be blocked. Mr. Smith said they would designate them as employee spaces or maybe not even pave them. Ms. Burke told him that they must be paved to fulfill the parking requirements Mr. Smith said that was fine and would designate them as employee parking only.
Mr. D’Amelio asked if the property lines would be changing. Mr. Smith said that they would be. The Applicant will submit an ANR Plan in the future.
Mr. D’Amelio reiterated his prior concern about the right out onto Washington Street. He feels that the distance of 500 Ft of roadway to get to the left lane for I-290 is not enough for safe passage. The Chairman asked if a MEPA permit would also be required for the project. Mr. Smith said that they were going to file a waiver request for the first phase of the project, and that they would file a full application in the final stages of the plans.
Dan Mills of MDM Consultants stated that the project to widen Washington Street is still in its infancy and is not expected until 2011. He said that due to the unknown nature of the plans for restructuring the roadway it is difficult to ascertain what will be needed to accommodate the changes. Michelle Ciccolo informed the Board that a preliminary concept plan should be complete by late spring early summer of this year. The project is being fast tracked by Mass Highway due to the urgent need to improve safety after a fatal pedestrian accident on this road last fall. Mass Highway is considering a 5-lane cross section that would taper down toward Wal-Mart as well as longer stacking lanes. Mr. Mills then asked if they were considering adding a median between opposing lanes of traffic. Ms. Ciccolo was
unsure. She did however, state that Mass Highway would be taking land on either side of Washington Street in order to add ADA compliant sidewalks on either side of the street.
Mr. D’Amelio expressed his concern about whether or not the Board would be careless if they did not wait to see the design plans from Mass Highway before coming to any decisions. Mr. Mills believes that they tried to figure out what the design needs are and they think they made a good faith effort. Ms. Ciccolo informed the Board that Mass Highway has been surveying the site for about 6 months.
Mr. Mills has met with Mass Highway to discuss them issuing a permit for the driveway. He stated that their initial comment was that taking a left out of or into the driveway would not be allowed. However, they did not refuse the idea of right out. Mr. D’Amelio asked whether the Board could deny the right out onto Washington Street if Mass Highway granted them a permit. Ms. Burke stated that she would research this issue.
A traffic study was done by MDM Consultants and reviewed by Mark Howland on behalf of the Board. Mr. Mills estimated that between the hours of 4–6 PM approximately 30 people will use the right out, which would be 1 person every 2 minutes. He went on to say that only about half of the vehicles would attempt to cross over to I-290 (1 car every 3-4 minutes). Mr. Howland completed his own traffic counts and estimates the numbers were 5% less than Mr. Mill’s number.
Mr. D’Amelio stated his skepticism that Walgreen’s will lose customers because there is no right out onto Washington Street. Ms. Burke said that the Board’s concern is for what is in the best interest of the residents of Hudson and their safety. Mr. D’Amelio suggested that perhaps signs within the parking lot could be used to direct traffic looking to go to I-290 to use the easement on Technology Drive. He expressed concerns that this may also be a problem, causing traffic congestion along Technology Drive. Martin Libby, 1 Lower Road wondered how realistic it would be to expect driver’s to follow the sign’s instructions. Mr. D’Amelio’s stressed that his intentions would be to scatter the signs throughout the property.
Ms. Burke stated that the Board should be reviewing all 3 parcels together in order to effectively “plan” for the entire community. Mr. Gianneti said that they are unable to find a second and third tenant for the 2 parcels of land on either side of the proposed site of Walgreen’s. They do not want to wait until these parcels are leased, and believe that they should just go forward with what they have.
He did, however, agree to see what Mass Highway will propose for the widening of Washington Street as well as look into adding proper signage in the parking lot with regards to using Technology Drive to get onto I-290.
Mr. Gianneti informed the Board that the final site plan will include a right in and out on Washington Street. Mr. D’Amelio stated that they may not get the votes from the Board if this is the case.
The Board expressed concern that the Conservation Committee has not seen the plans yet. It was suggested that Walgreen’s file their plans with the Conservation Commission within the next month.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 256 Washington Street until April 17, 2007 at 7:45 p.m.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to approve the minutes of March 6, 2007, as written
Vote: 3-0-1, with Bob D’Amelio abstaining
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
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