Minutes of Meeting – May 19, 2009
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Robert D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Robert D’Amelio, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, Rodney Frias, Charles Freeman, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director, Teresa Vickery, Clerk and Aldo Cipriano, Town Counsel.
Planner’s Report
New Board Member
Mr. D’Amelio welcomed Mr. Freeman to the Board and stated that his expertise will be an asset to the Board. He also expressed his thanks to all of the other interested candidates.
Community Preservation Committee Member Appointment
Ms. Burke explained that James Vereault who was recently elected to the Board of Selectmen was the Board’s representative on the Community Preservation Committee. Therefore, a new Planning Board representative had to be nominated.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to nominate Mr. D’Amelio as the Planning Board’s representative to the Community Preservation Committee.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Lauren Heights Hearing to Claim the Bond
Present were: Christopher P. Yates, Atty. at Law
James Kennedy, Hudson Light & Power
Mark Rhodes, Rhodes Construction, Inc.
At the Board’s last meeting it was decided that the contractor hired by Avidia Bank to complete the Lauren Heights subdivision would come back before the Board with a scope of work. If the Board deemed the scope acceptable they would grant a six month extension to complete the work.
Mr. Rhodes explained to the Board that he is concentrating on performing all of the emergency work necessary for the public safety of the existing residents and abutters. He summarized some of the work he has completed to date. He stated that he has cleaned debris on lots 3 and 4, filled in an old retention basin, graded some of the land and erected some safety fencing. He also added some drainage around the transformers to allow for positive run off as well as digging out the transformers. The goal is to get the road paved before Labor Day and get an article on the November Town Meeting Warrant for street acceptance. Four of the lots will be left unfinished for the major portion of this year. Mr. Rhodes is more concerned with attempting to stabilize the last three lots.
Mr. Rhodes has met with Hudson Light & Power, Board of Health as well as the DPW, they have worked with Mr. Rhodes to produce the scope of work submitted to the Board this evening. Jim Kennedy of HLP stated that he was pleased with the work performed thus far.
The Board is in receipt of the scope of work. They went over the scope. Mr. D’Amelio noted that item 6 referred to an 18 inch gravel base. He noted that DPW requires 12 inches of gravel and s6 inches of stone. Mr. Rhodes indicated that he is aware of that however, he combined them in the scope. Mr. D’Amelio also noted that the DPW should be consulted regarding the catch basins on Hickory Lane in order to determine whether or not they should be cleaned out.
Mr. D’Amelio would like to make sure the drainage problems behind the homes on Hickory Lane is also investigated. He also noted that the Conservation Commission should be contacted to confirm that all of their outstanding items have been addressed. Ms. Burke indicated that she would contact the conservation agent.
A pre-construction conference with the DPW was suggested by Mr. D’Amelio. Ms. Burke stated that she would schedule the meeting.
The Board will meet every 6 weeks during construction for an update/review of the work.
Mr. Underwood noted that all existing conditions of approval will remain in effect.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Rodney Frias, made a motion to close the public hearing for Lauren Heights.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Charles Freeman, made a motion to grant an extension of time to complete the subdivision to November 5, 2009 with reviews on June 16, August 4, and August 18, 2009.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to approve the minutes of April 21, 2009, as corrected.
Vote: 3-0-2, Rodney Frias and Charles Freeman not voting
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to approve the minutes of May 5, 2009, as written.
Vote: 4-0-1, Charles Freeman not voting.
Highland Commons – Site Plan Modification
Robert D’Amelio left the meeting.
Tom Collins left the meeting.
Present were: Peter Tamm, Goulston & Storrs P.C.
Alan Wells, SEA Consultants
Bill Hoffman, DeLuca-Hoffman Associates, Inc.
Jed Hayes, Sullivan Hayes, Co.
Jack Thorton, Sullivan Hayes, Co.
Mike DePriest, Benderson Development
Randy Hart, Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Rodney Frias convened the Public Hearing.
The applicant is before the Board to request approval of a modification to the previously approved site plan for Highland Commons. The original approval was in 2005 with a subsequent modification in 2006.
Atty. Tamm explained the modifications. He began with the issues raised by the Internal Traffic Committee. They requested that signage be implemented to mark the Berlin – Hudson town line. They also wanted some of the drive aisles widened.
The originally proposed hotel has been replaced with additional retail space. There has been a change and shift in the retail layout. The plan has been designed with flexibility depending on the needs of the tenants.
Three roundabouts have been added on the site to accommodate and process the traffic on site. Atty. Tamm stated that these roundabouts are more visually pleasing and will help to keep traffic moving on site better than with traffic lights.
The original plan only had one full access driveway, another has been added on the westerly side of Coolidge Street. The new plan has more parking spaces than the original plan. However variance will still be needed.
Randy Hart, traffic engineer for the applicant stated that a new traffic study had to be done because the information from the old one was no longer useful. Mr. Hart explained the first phase of the traffic improvements for the site. The lighting signals have been installed, however are not yet operational. A signal will be installed at the intersection of Route 62 and Gates Pond Road. Route 62 will be widened to four lanes from the entrance to 495 north to the eastern portion of the site.
The three signals from the 495 entrances to the westerly entrance will all work in unison and the other two will work on their own system. There will be a total of 5 new lighted intersections along the corridor. A timing plan will be implemented for the signals.
Al Wells, SEA Consultants went over some of the comments that came up during their peer review. He noted that he has been working closely with Mr. Hoffman to address the issues. One of Mr. Wells’ comments was regarding the design of the gas station drive aisle. He noted that there is only one way in and out through the gasoline bays. He suggested a second outlet be designed. Mr. Hoffman stated that this is the usual design that BJ’s uses for their gas stations.
There are areas on the site plan called reforestation areas and Mr. Hoffman explained that these areas were previously cleared and are no longer being built on so the applicant is going to replant vegetation in this areas.
Atty. Tamm noted that each Town requested their own knox boxes on each building. A knox box provides non-destructive emergency access to commercial and residential property.
Jim Kennedy stated that the applicant is planning on providing power to one building in Hudson from National Grid. He went on to say that under Massachusetts General Law this is not allowed. Mr. DePriest assured the Board that they are researching different options and they do not intend to do anything illegal.
Don Garcia asked that the Board look favorable upon this petition and move the process forward quickly.
Mr. Freeman asked if the signage would be discussed. The Board agreed to discuss the signage at its next meeting. Atty. Tamm stated that the signage is an important aspect of the project because you cannot see the buildings from the road.
Mr. Frias stated that the Board would need some time to review all of the material discussed and that the public hearing would need to be continued.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to continue the public hearing for Highland Commons until June 2, 2009 at 8:15 PM.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 9:15 PM.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
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