Minutes of Meeting – February 21, 2012
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Rodney Frias called the meeting to order.
Present: Rodney Frias, Tom Collins, Dirk Underwood, David Daigneault, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director.
Planner’s Report
Present was: Tom DiPersio, Jr., Thomas Land Surveyors
Extenuating Circumstance Extension Request – 26 Houghton Court
The Board is in receipt of a letter dated February 8, 2012 from Thomas DiPersio requesting an extension for the site plan approval for 26 Houghton Court. Mr. DiPersio informed the Board that the project was delayed due to a long and extensive regulatory review process from the Department of Environmental Protection. The Order of Conditions was signed on January 5, 2012, thus allowing for work to begin.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to grant an extension to complete the parking lot at 26 Houghton Court until February 21, 2014.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
511 Coolidge Street, Site Plan Review
Present was: Ian Rubin, Lancewood Associates
Mr. Frias convened the Public Hearing.
Mr. Rubin noted that the address is 37 not 511 Coolidge St.
Mr. Rubin is proposing to build two commercial buildings, a bank and a retail store. They are located across the road from Highland Commons at the east entrance of the shopping center. Twenty parking spaces will be provided which is one more than required. The buildings will be on septic and will utilize town water.
This property has been previously approved for a gas station. The entrance and exit have been moved further away from the lights to provide better access to the property.
There is a total of 932 feet of frontage.
The preliminary plan was presented to the Conservation Commission and they had no major issues with the plan.
Mr. Underwood asked that Mr. Rubin clarify the entrance movements.
Mr. Collins asked for the specifications on the retaining wall. Mr. Rubin noted that the specs are not yet ready. The wall will be a block type wall not poured concrete. Mr. Frias asked if the wall will be right on the property line. Mr. Rubin said yes and stated that they will need an easement from Boston Railroad to build the wall.
Mr. Frias stated that they will need a variance for the rear property line set back.
Mr. Daigneault asked if the Fire Department has reviewed the width of the drive aisles. Ms. Burke said that they are wide enough for their vehicles to get through.
Mr. Frias made reference to a slope easement noted on the plans. Mr. Rubin is not sure who it belongs to, Mr. Frias would like this issue clarified.
Mr. Frias then asked where the lot division is located. Mr. Rubin explained that the division is located along the stone wall shown on the plans. Mr. Frias asked that Mr. Rubin review the existing drainage. Mr. Rubin explained that currently the drainage from the street drains directly into the wetlands. The development will improve the conditions as the water will be caught and treated before discharging 100 feet away from the wetlands.
Mr. Rubin said that the perc tests have been delayed because of the current condition will not allow them to get a machine into the area. The Board of Health has no issue with the perc tests being delayed.
Mr. Collins asked if there is a fence on the retaining wall. Mr. Rubin noted that a fence will most likely be necessary on the left hand side near the bank.
Mr. Frias noted that one of the items mentioned at the Internal Traffic Committee meeting was a sidewalk on Coolidge Street. Mr. Rubin’s client agreed to make a contribution to the Town for future construction of a sidewalk.
Mr. Underwood asked if the curbing in the property will be bituminous. Mr. Rubin said yes. Ms. Burke cautioned that the applicant will need to obtain a driveway opening permit from MassDOT. Mr. Rubin agreed and noted that would need two curb cuts.
Paul Carney, 290 Brigham Street, expressed concern for the land in back of the property and the access easement over the railroad tracks. He explained that he owns the land right behind the property. The Railroad Company has provided him an easement and wonders if his easement will be affected by the Board’s approval. Mr. Frias and Ms. Burke explain that they cannot make any predictions regarding future easement access.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to close the public hearing for 37 Coolidge Street and approve the plan entitled “37 Coolidge Street Proposed Bank and Retail Store” as drawn by Lancewood Engineering, Inc. of Acton, MA and dated January 10, 2012 with the following findings:
- There is adequate protection of the adjoining property against detrimental or offensive uses on the site.
- The convenience and safety of vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement within the site and in relation to the adjacent streets is adequate.
- There are adequate methods of disposal of sewage refuse and other wastes resulting from uses permitted or permissible on the site and methods of drainage for surface water.
- There is adequate space for off street parking, loading and unloading of vehicles, goods, products, materials and equipment incidental to the normal operation of uses permitted or permissible.
- There is adequate control of lighting, sound emissions and odor emanating from the site.
And conditions:
A list of 24-hour emergency contact information must be provided to the Planning Director and the DPW prior to any work being done on site.
Hours of construction will be Monday through Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. No work or operation of machinery may happen before 7:00 a.m., in accordance with the town’s noise by-law or after 5:00 p.m. Per the Massachusetts General Laws, work on Sundays and holidays need to be permitted on a case by case basis by the Chief of Police.
Prior to the commencement of authorized site activity, the Planning Board Office shall be given 48 hours written notice. If the activity at the Project Site ceases for longer than 30 days, 48 hour written notice shall be given to the Planning Board Office prior to restarting work.
A copy of the conditions and all final approved Plans shall be kept at the Project Site.
Members or agents of the Planning Board shall have the right to enter the Project Site and to gather all information, measurements, photographs or other materials needed to ensure compliance with this approval. Members or agents of the Planning Board entering onto the Project Site for these purposes shall comply with all safety rules, Regulations and directives of the Applicant and the Applicant’s contractors.
The Planning Board’s erosion control plan as attached shall be adhered to and govern. All erosion control shall be in place and approved by the Planning Director before construction begins. Weekly erosion control reports shall be submitted to the DPW and the Planning Department no later than noontime on Fridays.
A final occupancy permit shall not be issued until an as-built plan indicating lot grading and drainage system BMP’s has been confirmed to be consistent with the approved plans to the Planning Director’s reasonable satisfaction.
If, during construction, a discrepancy is found between the approved plans and the existing regulations, the DPW and the Planning Director will be notified immediately. The DPW will make the final decision on how to proceed or if they are unable to make any decision, the matter will be referred back to the Planning Board for review.
A pre-construction conference shall be held prior to the commencement of construction, to include, at a minimum, the developer, the Planning Director, the DPW, the Pole Department, the Fire Department and a representative from the Conservation Commission.
Prior to the issuance of building permits, site evaluation on soil suitability for an onsite septic system will be confirmed by the Board of Health.
Prior to the issuance of occupancy permit, the developer will provide a payment in the amount of $30,000 for pedestrian improvement in lieu of sidewalk construction.
The developer will be required to obtain the necessary curb cuts from MA Department of Transportation.
All retaining wall details and cut sheets must be stamped by a structural engineer and copies given to the Planning Board prior to issuance of building permit. Walls over 3 feet in height must include a safety fence.
Prior to issuance of a building permit the Planning Board must receive a copy of the recorded Variance decision issued by the Hudson Board of Appeals for the rear setback violation.
Prior to the issuance of a building permit the Planning Board must receive proof that the slope easement has been addressed. The Board reserves the right to have Town Counsel review said proof.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
Minutes
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to accept the minutes of February 7, 2012, as written.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Rodney Frias, moved to adjourn at 7:45 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List February 21, 2012
Document |
Location |
Extension Request – 26 Houghton Court |
Planning Office |
Application and Plans for 511 Coolidge Street |
Planning Office |
Minutes of February 7, 2012 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
