Minutes of Meeting – December 2, 2014
The Hudson Planning Board met at the Town Hall, 78 Main Street, Hudson, Massachusetts.
At 7:00 PM, 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.
John Lage, 90 Hunter Ave, requested to audio record the meeting, Mr. D’Amelio said no.
14 High Street: Site Plan Review
Present were: Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Ron Mueller, Müeller Associates
Paula Thompson, Waterman Design
Matt Smith, Bohler Engineering
Austin Turner, Bohler Engineering
Jeffrey Dirk, Vanasse Associates
Scott Vlasak, Bruce Hamilton Architects
The Board is in receipt of an opinion from Town Counsel stating that Mr. Frias cannot vote on this petition as he was not in attendance at the first meeting in which testimony was heard. Atty. Giannetti noted that the applicant will proceed without Mr. Frias.
Mr. Smith stated that there were three changes/modifications to the plans. He noted that they have updated test pit information and there is also new information regarding the configuration of the driveway entrance.
Mr. Müeller reviewed the site plan and the traffic study for the Town. He briefly went through some of the issues he found that needed either more information or further analysis.
The applicant is proposing to make improvements/changes to the signal timing and phasing changes to the lights at the intersection of Broad, Manning and Main Street. Mr. Müeller suggested that since the intersection to the south is directly impacted by the lights in this area it should be studied. This was done and it was determined that this intersection will function at a higher level once the improvements have been implemented. He also suggested longer clearance intervals at the lights at Broad and Manning Street after reviewing a collision diagram supplied by the applicant.
Traffic exiting the site onto Main Street to the east has a difficult turn to make, especially during peak hours; therefore Mr. Müeller suggests that some of the traffic be rerouted through the Manning Street driveway making a left at the signal. This analysis has been done and it showed that it does not degrade the level of service at this intersection.
Some of the changes being proposed have to do with reducing the cycle length at the intersection that is currently at 145 seconds to 100 seconds as well are reducing the pedestrian crossing to 18 seconds from 25 seconds. These changes will contribute to an improved level of service and operations at the intersections.
The applicant is also proposing to increase the turning radius at the corner of Main and Manning Street which will improve truck access at this intersection. New signal equipment will be installed. All of these changes will contribute to an improved level of service and operations at the intersections.
Mr. Müeller has suggested that the first two parking spaces along Main Street be eliminated to allow cars to go around vehicles attempting to turn left into the site. Six spaces will be added along the north side of the street which do not currently exist which will result in no loses in on street parking.
The driveway at High Street will be narrowed and assigned as exit only to eliminate back ups on Main Street.
There are two drive-thru lanes proposed at the back of the bank building. The maximum queue at teller and ATM lanes is four to five vehicles which can easily be accommodated at the back of the building. However when there is a maximum queue situation there the bypass lane will be eliminated. He has recommended signing and striping changes to the drive-thru, which were added to the plans. Similar signage was also added to the pharmacy drive-thru.
Mr. Müeller asked that the engineers look at changing the location of the internal intersection and moving it away from the Main Street entrance in order to avoid blocking access into the bank building.
Trucks exiting the site will have to cross the yellow line on Main Street. Because of this Mr. Müeller suggests all deliveries be off peak hours.
The intersection improvements should be made a condition of approval.
The queue on Main Street frequently backs up well beyond High Street. Mr. Müeller suggests that striping “Do Not Block Driveway” be added at the entrance and exit on Main Street. This will help improve access to the site as well as High Street.
Arthur Redding, 3 Redco Road expressed concern regarding the elimination of the two parking spaces. He cited increased danger to pedestrian crossing. Mr. Müeller explained that the crosswalks will be eliminated at this location. Mr. Dirk stated that the crosswalk is unsafe and this change was made as a safety decision. He said that as the project nears completion they will look at adding additional parking spaces.
Andy Massa, 15 Michigan Drive asked for clarification regarding the location of the entrance. He then asked what trees will be taken down on the site. Mr. Smith stated that all the trees will need to be removed.
Thomas Moses, 1 Lower Road spoke in favor of bringing the buildings forward. He cited aesthetic reasons as well as ensuring continuity of the streetscape. He also noted that the entrance and exit on Main Street is a mistake.
Hugo Guidotti, 5A Autumn Drive spoke in favor of the project and urged the Board to approve this site plan.
Mr. Smith explained some of the changes to the site plan. In reviewing the project both firms had concerns with the stop sign that is proposed on the bank side of the property. The four way intersection that was proposed could cause some problems with cars coming into the site from Main Street and wanting to take a left if there was a queue. The stop bar at the sign has been moved further ahead however the sign has been left in the same location. Curbing and circulation on the other side of the site has modified in order to allow for a more direct route onto Manning Street. An island on the site has been eliminated to facilitate traffic flow within the site.
Paula Thompson reviewed some of the comments. She noted that there are proposed property lines between the Rite Aid site and the church parking lot which have been added to the plans. The applicant will need to file an ANR plan with the Board to show the cross easements for drainage and utilities.
Required internal radius dimensions are 20 feet for all internal driveways. Not all of the dimensions are at the required radii however Ms. Thompson does not feel this is a big issue as it is all internal to the site.
The sign dimensions are all within the Town’s by-law regulations and requirements. There is a message board beneath the sign. A photometric plan has also been submitted. It does show some spillage onto High Street and Manning Street.
Ms. Thompson suggests that a stone construction entrance be added wherever there is a construction entrance/exit onto the site.
She also suggests that an operation and maintenance plan for the two storm water quality units which will treat any run off from impervious area before it goes into the Town’s system remain in effect in perpetuity.
Kevin Davis, 13 Manning Street asked for further explanation regarding the lighting plan and spill over. Mr. Smith stated that shielded LED lights are being proposed for the site and the design is much more contained than the current lighting in the church parking lot.
Mr. Smith addressed the statement made earlier regarding why construction of the building is not being proposed on the street. He explained that the grade differentials are so substantial that you cannot get the driveways to come down into the site and meet the site with the buildings being at the elevation of the roadway. This scenario also introduces a lot of awkward movements into the site. This is just not practical. The Town’s peer review consultants agree that it is not feasible.
The wrought iron fence along the front of the site will remain and be maintained in kind.
Brendan Parker, 7 Stratton Road expressed his concern regarding having two driveways on Manning Street. He stated that this could potentially slow down the traffic and believes that the lighting improvements will not help. Mr. Dirk explained that one of the driveways is for the Rite Aid site and the other is for the church parking lot. The applicant will be making improvements to the corner radius, the road will be widened and the curb will be softened to make exiting and entering easier.
Mr. Parker also asked if there is a requirement regarding green space. Mr. Smith and Ms. Burke both agreed that this complies with the zoning by-laws in Town.
Mr. Redding asked what the buildings look like. Mr. Vlasak explained that the building is a 23 foot high masonry exterior building. There are some lighter colored articulations in the masonry along the sides of the building to add to the aesthetics as well as to break up the façade.
Charles Randall, 76 Park Street asked what the impact to traffic will be. Mr. Dirk explained that this will generate approximately 30 trips during peak hours per hour. Ralph Crowell, 250 Main Street stated that this would be less that the traffic that was generated during pick up and drop off times when the school was open at this location.
Mr. Parker asked that the Board urge the applicant to have the façade of the building be in keeping with the regulations of the Historic District. Mr. Redding agreed and went on to say by creating a better design this could work better for everyone. Frank Dutt, 248 Main Street suggested using windows along the sides of the building to help break up the façade.
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault made a motion to close the public hearing for 14 High Street.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
The Board will meet at its meeting of December 16, 2014 to discuss a decision.
568 Main Street: Site Plan Review
Present were: Stephen O’Connell, Andrews Survey & Engineering
Jennifer Connolly, Connolly Traffic Consultants
Christopher Yates, Atty. at Law
Robert Collings, Applicant
Mr. D’Amelio convened the Public Hearing.
Atty. Yates explained that he is representing the Collings Foundation which is a non-profit 501c3 educational foundation. The Foundation owns property and a museum in Stow and is proposing to construct a 2,200 foot service road in Hudson which would be the main entrance during event hours. This would redirect all of the traffic out of the Lake Boone neighborhood that currently services the visitors to the Collings Foundation.
The Internal Traffic Committee (ITC) held its hearing on November 21, 2014 and approved the site plan with four conditions. The conditions are as follows:
- That the lane width at the entrance be 36 feet for 100 feet.
- The road shall be bit concrete for the first 40 feet.
- A lockable gate shall be installed at the road entrance per the Police and Fire Departments.
- Construction in Hudson shall not exceed 3 months.
Atty. Yates explained that the entrance to the road will be moved closer to the two neighbors on Hunter Ave. The applicant has plans to work with the two neighbors and is willing to work with the property owners to create a buffer to protect them from the construction as well as the ongoing use of the service road.
Mr. O’Connell explained the property located at 568 Main Street will be used to construct a road with access to a proposed museum on the Collings Foundation property in Stow. To the west of the road is the Kane Industrial Park, Shemin Nursery is east of the proposed road and to the north is a residential area. The road entrance will be 36 feet wide per the ruling of the ITC. The road will be 3 lanes, two of which will be provided for entering and one will be for emergency vehicles or any vehicle that wishes to turn around before entering the site.
As part of the design of the roadway there are storm water management controls in place. The vegetative clearing will be kept as minimal as possible. There is an existing high point in the road at the Town line which will help collect storm water into an existing depression on the Stow side.
There is a small sign being proposed at the entrance to the site. Some vegetative clearing to improve site distance for the sign will be done.
Mr. D’Amelio asked for clarification on the days of operation. Mr. Collings stated that it would be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday form 10 AM to 5 PM from May to October. The road would be closed during the off season months with a locked gate per a condition of the ITC.
Mr. D’Amelio noted that the Board is in receipt of letters regarding this petition and one of them indicated that this road will be used as a mining operation for the removal of gravel from the site in Stow. Mr. Collings stated that there is no gravel removal involved in this project. Mr. D’Amelio then asked if trucks will be going back and forth out of Stow removing gravel. Mr. Collings said no.
The Stow entrance will be maintained but not as an entrance for the general public.
Mr. D’Amelio asked how will the lanes coming in and going out of the road be delineated. Mr. O’Connell said the road will be striped but also during events they will utilize cones. They also anticipate the use of a traffic control officer. A pre and post event meeting will be held regarding how traffic will be and was handled during the event. The two lanes coming in will be reversed at the end of the event for exiting.
Ms. Connolly reviewed some of the traffic analysis points. She noted that traffic counts were done in September and October to get a baseline for analysis. The typical traffic during the months the museum is open will be approximately 7 trips per hour on a Saturday. Traffic generated during the week will be very minimal as it would only be used to serve the twelve employees exiting and entering the site. Typically the road functions at a level of service (LOS) C but during peak events it would drop to an LOS of E/F.
The road will only be built if the Stow Planning Board approves the construction of the museum building.
Mr. Daigneault asked if the existing road would be used in conjunction with the new road to alleviate traffic for the events. Mr. Collings said no; only in the event of an emergency.
Tom French, Barton Road Stow asked if the road is going to be kept open during the winter months when the museum is closed. Mr. O’Connell stated that access to the road will be year round but only during the six months its open it will be open to the public.
Robert Mello, 88 Hunter Ave. noted that his house is one of the houses at the entrance point.
He stated that without approval from Stow no one knows what this road will be used for. He cited increased traffic, noise and emissions as reasons he does not want to see this approved.
Peter Christmas, Barton Road, Stow read a letter urging the Board to verify the facts that the applicant presents. He also stated that he is against this petition. Others who also spoke against this petition are:
Pam Beck, 8 West Avenue
Linda Cornwell, 122 Barton Road, Stow
Ron Gerhardt, 222 Barton Road, Stow
Dirk Heart, Barton Road, Stow
Barbara Clancy, Barton Road, Stow
John Lage, 90 Hunter Ave commented on the additional noise this would generate. He also noted that the detention basin will be no more than a breeding area for mosquitoes. He suggested that the applicant erect a fence for safety reasons.
Atty. Yates cautioned the Board to concentrate only on what is permissible in Hudson.
Mr. D’Amelio explained that this plan will be sent to the Town’s peer review consultants for the traffic, engineering as well as storm water and drainage.
Mary Lage, 90 Hunter Avenue asked for clarification regarding what vegetation will be cleared. She then asked that the applicant what type of barrier will be used during construction as a barrier for the abutting properties. Mr. O’Connell stated that there is a natural buffer of vegetation by way of the nature of the location, erosion control barriers will be utilized as well as orange construction fencing being erected. The dust will be controlled by storm water pollution prevention requirements set forth by EPA regulations.
Guy Beaudette, 84 Hunter Avenue asked if Mr. Collings owned the property in question. Mr. Collings noted the sale is contingent on the approval of this site plan.
Ms. Lage noted that she wants not only temporary fencing but also permanent fencing erected by the applicant as a buffer.
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 568 Main Street to January 6, 2015 at 7:00 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
Tom Collins, seconded by David Daigneault, made a motion to accept the minutes of November 18, 2014, as corrected.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
Adjournment
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, moved to adjourn at 10:15 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List December 2, 2014
Documents |
Location |
Applicant and plans for site plan review, 568 Main Street |
Planning Office |
Letters from abutters re: 568 Main Street |
Planning Office |
Traffic peer review 14 High Street |
Planning Office |
Minutes of November 18, 2014 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
