Minutes of Meeting— September 18, 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, Dirk Underwood, Rodney Frias, James Vereault, Jennifer Burke, Town Planner and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
Old North Road – Definitive Subdivision cont.
Present was: Tom DiPersio, Thomas Land Surveyors
Jennifer Thompson, Evergreen Homes
Arthur Bergeron, Atty. at Law
Rodney Frias recused himself.
Mr. DiPersio began his presentation by addressing the major revisions to the plans for the Old North Woods Subdivision. The pavement has been shifted 8 feet to the south but will stay within the row. He then informed the Board that he has made notes regarding the berm on the detention basin. He ensured the Board that it would be constructed properly and with an impervious liner. The DPW has requested that they have full access to the basin and the plans have been changed to reflect this.
Mr. DiPersio mentioned that during the site walk the Board decided to come back once the road has been cleared to select which trees are to be saved. He added that the developer wants to save as many trees as possible.
Mr. DiPersio then turned his attention to the outstanding issues; the pipe sizing calculations and the lack of a fence around the detention pond.
Mr. DiPersio explained that Tony Marques has requested a fire flow test on the 6-inch water main in Old North Road. SEA will be present during the flow test. If the flow test does not show 750 gpm, Mr. D’Amelio indicated that the developer will be required to extend the 12 inch main that ends at Blueberry Lane.
Mr. Dipersio then addressed some of the comments from SEA. He noted that an Environmental Impact Statement has been provided and reviewed.
The issue of the leveling area was once again addressed. Mr. DiPersio has asked that the Board waive this requirement. The applicant has only provided for a 45 foot leveling area, not the required amount of 75 feet. He explained the reason for this is to avoid a lengthy cut on the leveling area. Mr. D’Amelio is against issuing the waiver, citing that it is an unnecessary. Mr. Underwood is also against granting the waiver.
Mr. DiPersio requested a waiver for the length of the road. The proposed length of the cu-de-sac is 778.44 feet, which is approximately 280 feet longer than the regulated length. The Board sees no safety issue with the extended length.
Dan Entholt, 17 Old North Road stated that a 500-foot cul-de-sac with 5 homes on it would probably generate less drainage.
Barbara Rose, 38 Old North Road does not think getting more homes on the cul-de-sac is a good reason to waive the 500-foot regulated length. She believes the only reason the developer is requesting the waiver is for an increase in their profits. Mr. DiPersio informed her that one of the reasons for the longer cul-de-sac has to do with the shape of the road.
Mr. Entholt referred to the regulation 4.1.5.1, which states that topography, or other local conditions would be reasons for granting a waiver. He believes that the reasons given by Mr. DiPersio do not apply. Mr. D’Amelio informed him that this decision is well within the scope of past granted waivers.
Mr. Vereault inquired about the undeveloped land behind the subdivision. He wanted to know if the road could potentially be connected with the new property. Mr. D’Amelio would like the utilities to extend to the property line.
Comment #30 on SEA’s letter states that the size and type of the CDS unit and the storm water management system should be on the approved set of plans.
The storm water management policy needs to show conditions regarding the infiltration of storm water, which needs to be equal to the volume before development.
Comment # 39 – SEA would like capacity information for the water and sewer systems submitted to the DPW for approval.
There was a discussion regarding the construction of the detention basin. Ms. Sommer stated that the basin must be constructed of an impervious material. The Board agreed. Mr. DiPersio stated there is a note on the plan to that effect.
Edmond Barton, 37 Old North Road asked if it wouldn’t be better to run the fire flow test at the top of the hill. Mr. D’Amelio reiterated that the test measures volume not pressure and that it also must be performed on the existing hydrant.
Mr. DiPersio asked what the height requirement for the fence around the detention basin is. Ms. Burke told him that the requirement is 6 feet.
Scott Golder, 19 Glendale Road expressed his concern about the excess drainage this may cause at the end of his road. He suggested that the Board consider requesting the applicant to enlarge the drainpipe. Mr. D’Amelio explained that the objective of the Board is not to correct existing drainage issues, it is to do what they can to make sure the construction of the subdivision does not worsen these conditions. Ms. Sommer added that the calculations show less runoff post construction than currently.
Ms. Thompson and Atty. Bergeron asked if they were to come back before the Board at it’s next meeting with plans showing the easement for the utilities would this satisfy the Board in regard to the length of the road. The Board agreed.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to continue the public hearing for Old North Woods until October 2, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.
Vote: 4-0-0; Unanimous
Rodney Frias returned to the Board.
Planner’s Report
River’s Edge Subdivision - Extension Request
Mr. Burke is in receipt of a request for a time extension to complete the subdivision. The applicant has requested 30 days, Ms. Burke recommends the Board grant a 1-year extension.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to grant a 1-year extension to complete the River’s Edge Subdivision.
Vote: 5-0-0: Unanimous
Riverside Farms – Extension Request
Ms. Burke is in receipt of a second request for an extension to complete the subdivision. The Board agreed to extend the completion, however not beyond June 30, 2008.
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to grant an extension to complete the Riverside Farms Subdivision until June 30, 2008.
Vote: 5-0-0; Unanimous
7 Crestview Drive – Site Plan Review
The Board is in receipt of a letter from the applicant requesting a continuance until the next Planning Board meeting.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 7 Crestview Drive until October 2, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Saratoga Drive – Site Plan Review
The Board is in receipt of a letter from the applicant requesting a continuance until the next Planning Board meeting.
Tom Collins, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to continue the public hearing for Saratoga Drive until October 2, 2007 at 7:15 p.m.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
ANR
Present was: Forrest Lindwall, Mistry Associates
Mr. Lindwall came before the Board to request an ANR for 185-205 Washington Street. He explained that RK Associates had recently acquired the land next to the Plaza and that they were in the process of clearing the site. He believes that each building on that site will require its own lot. Ms. Burke informed Mr. Lindwall that she has spoken to Town Counsel and it was determined that separate lots are not required and that the requirement was incorrectly interpreted.
Mr. Lindwall requested that the Board grant him the ANR even though it is not required.
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to accept the plan entitled “______” as drawn by___dated_____ and Authorize the Agent to Sign.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
256 Washington Street – Site Plan Review
Present were: Matt Smith, Bohler Engineering
Dan Mills, MDM Associates
Ray Romalard, Richmond Companies
Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Mr. Smith began by presenting some of the background information to the Board. He stated that the site contains 3 approved lots, one of which they are proposing a Starbucks on the southerly side of Washington Street.
The building will be 1,750 Sq. Ft. with a 180 Sq. Ft. bank kiosk to the south of the Starbucks. There will be 200-foot queue length at the proposed drive-thru. The drive aisles are the required size. The traffic exiting from the drive-thru will be directed onto Technology Drive. There will be 15 parking spaces for the facility. This is more than the Board requires, however it is less than what Starbucks prefers. Both the applicant and the engineer believe that due to the dual uses of the lots they will compliment one another.
Mr. Smith stated that they will be raising the grades on the site substantially. There will be on site septic, and they will soon file with the Board of Health.
The lighting at the site will be similar in design to what has recently been approved for Walgreen’s. The only spillage will be at the entrance and exits to the site. Chief Braga and the Internal Traffic Committee agree that the lighting at the bank kiosk is appropriate and sufficient.
Mr. Smith then turned his attention to the comments submitted by SEA. In their letter SEA deferred the issue of parking to the Board. Ms. Burke stated that the plans meet the Zoning requirements.
SEA would like to see an area of snow storage on the approved set of plans. They would also like the applicant to provide height of luminaries and details of the lighting fixtures. Mr. Smith presented these items to the Board.
Mr. D’Amelio would like the condition added that SEA review the lighting in order to ensure it is consistent with the lighting Walgreen’s has provided on their approved plans.
SEA questioned the drainage into the wetland, however, they are deferring the item to the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Smith stated that Starbuck’s is proposing an outdoor patio for seating, he realizes that this will require a special permit from the ZBA.
He also informed the Board that the applicant is dedicating the land along the front to the Town at not cost.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to close the public hearing for 256 Washington Street.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
The applicant will return on October 2, 2007 for a decision.
MEPA Letter
Ms. Burke requested that the Board vote to submit a letter to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency regarding the Walgreen’s project.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to submit the letter to MEPA and have the chairman sign it.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Jenkins Farm
Ms. Burke informed the Board that applicants for Jenkins Farm are coming back before the Board for a full review. She requested an executive session meeting and scheduled it for October 2, 2007 at 6:00 p.m., as well as a special meeting to be held on October 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Minutes
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Tom Collins, moved to approve the minutes of August 21, 2007, as written.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Tom Collins, seconded by James Vereault, moved to approve the minutes of August 27, 2007, as written.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to approve the minutes of August 30, 2007, as written.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 9:30 PM.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
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