Minutes of Meeting – September 2, 2014
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 p.m., Bob D’Amelio called the meeting to order.
Present: Bob D’Amelio, Dirk Underwood, Tom Collins, David Daigneault, Jennifer Burke, Planning Director and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
14 High Street: Site Plan Review
Present were: Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Matt Smith, Bohler Engineering
Jeffrey Dirk, Traffic Engineer, Vanesse & Associates
David Morrello, Project Manager
Paula Thompson, Waterman Design Associates
Mr. Smith began by briefly introducing the project to the Board. The proposed project sits on the 2.9 acre site along Main Street. The proposal is to take down the three buildings that currently sit on this site (the elementary and high school as well as a modular classroom). They will construct parking for the church on the northerly side of the site which will supply 104 parking spaces to St. Michael’s church. The developer has an agreement with Rite-Aid to construct a 14, 500 square foot pharmacy on the site. The plans show a 2,800 square foot building with a drive-thru in which they would like to house a bank, however there is not a tenant for this building yet.
There is a grade change of almost 25% from the front to the back of the site which does not allow for a lot of room regarding where the building can be erected. Three full access driveways for the pharmacy will be located on Main, Manning and High Streets. Driveways for the church parking lot are to be located on Manning Street and High Street. There will be a 10 foot wall which will separate the two properties.
There will be parking in front of the building when coming on to the site from Main Street. There is a drive-thru with two windows on the easterly side of the Rite-Aid. The loading will occur at the rear of the building and a trash and recycling area will be provided on the north easterly corner of the site. The drive-thru for the bank building will also be along the westerly side of the site.
A drainage report has been submitted which shows that the project has been designed according to the states standards and its storm water management policy.
Mr. Dirk noted that a traffic study had been submitted to the Board which will be turned over to the Town’s peer review consultant. The traffic engineers spent a lot of time looking at the signalized intersection at Manning, Broad and Main Street and the impact the project would have in this area. They studied whether the left turn from Main Street could be reintroduced however after looking at this area they found it can not as it would cause more vehicle queuing at this location. Some of the signal equipment will be replaced as the computer system in these signals is very out of date. Retiming the signal could help to reduce the amount of queuing at the signal.
Mr. Dirk also explained that fire trucks are not able to take the turn from Main Street to either Manning or High Street. Chief Blood said in order to make those turns the truck has to either jump the curb or the person on the other side of the road must move. Mr. Dirk is proposing that the intersection be redesigned to accommodate fire trucks, school buses and snow plows.
Part of the project will include the restriping of parking spaces along the frontage of the property this will result in a net gain of two spaces.
Jennifer Lilley, 15 High Street asked about landscaping on the site. Mr. Smith explained that the trees shown on the plans will be planted as well as other shrubs and low level plantings. He offered to look at Ms. Lilley’s house specifically and work with her on this issue. Ms. Lilley then asked about the signage for the business. Ms. Burke informed her that the Town does have a sign by-law however it would not preclude the applicant from erecting a lighted sign.
Suzanne Adams, 17 High Street noted her concerns for where the trash pad is proposed. Mr. Smith explained that the trash area will be concealed as it will be between six and ten feet below grade. The trash pad will not support the other building being proposed.
Frank Dutt, 248 Main Street asked if the entrance on High Street is necessary. He cited the current traffic conditions as reasons it should be eliminated.
There was a discussion regarding the number of proposed parking spaces. Atty. Giannetti noted that the project is in the C-1 Zoning District and therefore does not require the applicant to supply any parking.
Mr. D’Amelio stated that he has gotten some calls regarding moving the building forward. He is requesting that the Town’s peer review consultants take a look at this and see if it is possible. He also requested that our traffic consultants review the study that was submitted.
Hugo Guidotti, 5A Autumn Drive urged the Board to approve the site plan as the sale of this property would help resolve some financial issues that St. Michael’s parish has.
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 14 High Street until October 7, 2014 at 7:00 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Dirk Underwood, seconded by Bob D’Amelio, made a motion to accept the minutes of August 19, 2014, as written.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
Adjournment
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, moved to adjourn at 8:15 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List September 2, 2014
Documents |
Location |
Site Plan Application & Plans for 14 High Street |
Planning Office |
Minutes of August 19, 2014 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
