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Planning Board Minutes 12/16/14
Minutes of Meeting – December 16, 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.

14 High Street: Site Plan Review
Present were:   Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
                Matt Smith, Bohler Engineering
                Austin Turner, Bohler Engineering
                Jeffrey Dirk, Vanasse Associates
                Scott Vlasak, Bruce Hamilton Architects

The Board met with the applicant to discuss the proposed conditions.  

Atty. Giannetti noted that there were discussions during previous hearing regarding the sign height.  The zoning in this location permits a 20 foot high sign.  However the applicant is willing to have the plan conditioned with a sign height not to exceed 15 feet.  Ms. Burke cautioned that there must be a clearance height of 4 feet from the base of the sign.  It was agreed that if any issues arise regarding the design of the sign the applicant will come back before the Board.  Mr. Daigneault asked that they try to keep the sign as pleasing to the surrounding area as possible.  

The exterior of the building was also discussed.  Mr. Vlasak showed the Board an updated plan for the exterior of the building.  He explained that they have added some vertical elements to the building that will break up the façade in order to address abutter comments.  Mr. Daigneault asked what the exterior of building #2 will be and asked that the applicant make an effort to have it fit in more with the surrounding buildings.  Mr. Smith stated that the applicant will most likely come back before the Board to modify the site plan once there is a tenant; the Board added this as a condition.  Mr. Vlasak stated that they will make an effort.  

Condition #1 - The applicant asked that their engineer of record be added to the group attending the pre-construction conference.  Ms. Burke stated that this is fine she explained her reluctance to include the applicant’s engineer as it is the applicant who would pay for their time not the Town.

Condition #6 - The applicant added when members or agents of the Planning Board enter the project site it be during normal construction hours and they be accompanied by the Owner’s representative at all times.  

Condition #10 – The applicant requests that they be added to the list of those notified immediately if any discrepancy is found between the approved plans and the existing regulations.

Condition #12 – The applicant added that a proposal for the services for full time on-site inspection be provided to the developer prior to the commencement of construction.  

Condition #13 – This condition has to do with the signal timing and coordination of lights as well as traffic and parking.  The Board worked with the applicant to refine and clarify the verbiage.  

Condition #14 – This condition states that all deliveries be made during off peak hours.  The applicant would like the phrase “to the maximum extent practicable” added.  

Mr. D’Amelio asked for clarification regarding the retaining wall.  He noted that he wanted the applicant to come back before the Board with the proposed materials for the wall.  Mr. Smith agreed.  

Dirk Underwood, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to approve the plan entitled “Site Development Plan for First Bristol Corp.” as drawn by Bohler Engineering of Southboro, MA dated July 22, 2014 last revised December 16, 2014 and authorize the Agent to sign 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 at the pre-construction conference.
  • Hours of operation 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 the work.
  • A copy of this Decision and al final approved Plans shall be kept at the Project Site.
  • Members 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 or the Applicant’s contractors.  Members or agents of the Planning Board shall conduct said visits during normal construction hours and shall be accompanied by the Owner’s representative at all times during visit.  
  • The Erosion Control Plan as approved attached shall be adhered to and governed.  
  • There shall be a stone construction entrance whenever construction vehicles enter and exit the site.
  • A copy of the final Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan shall be provided to the Planning Board prior to commencement of construction begins.
  • 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, the Planning Director, Owner’s representative and engineer of record will be notified immediately.  The DPW Director, after consultation with the Planning Director, Owner’s representative, and engineer of record 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, engineer of record, the Planning Director, a representative of Waterman Design Associates (WDA), the DPW, the Police Department, and the Fire Department.  
  •  The Site Development Plans shall be revised per the Overlay Site Plan presented to the Planning Board at the 12/02/2014 hearing.
  • The Stormwater Operation and Maintenance Plan and Long Term Pollution Prevention Plan shall be adhered to in perpetuity including inspections and cleaning of the catch basins, stormwater quality units, and underground infiltration system.  
  • There will be full time on-site inspection during all excavation and the installation of all underground utilities.  If the DPW is unable to provide this inspection, the Town’s consultant, WDA, will provide the service at the Developer’s cost.  A proposal for said services shall be provided to the Developer for review prior to the commencement of construction and performance of inspectional services.  
  • Prior to the issuance of any occupancy permit, all traffic improvements at the Main Street / Manning Street / Broad Street intersection and traffic signal timing /coordination improvements at the Broad Street / South Street / Vila do Porto Boulevard intersection as identified in the traffic study by Vanasse & Associates Inc. and reviewed by the Town’s consultant, Ron Müller & Associates shall be implemented, subject to review and approval by the Director of Public Works.
  • On street parking on the south side of Main Street, shall be modified in consultation with the Director of Public Works with the intent to allow vehicles travelling eastbound on Main Street to maneuver around vehicles turning left into the project site.  
  • Final design of intersection improvements should include increased vehicle clearance times (yellow and all-red) and reevaluation of reintroduction of “No Turn on Red” signage.
  • Add DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION sign and pavement markings (box) at the Main Street and High Street intersection.
  • Add DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY sign and pavement markings (box) at the Main Street and site driveway intersection.
  • To the maximum extent practicable, all deliveries to the site should be made during off-peak hours (9AM – 3PM; 7 PM – 7 AM).
  • Prior to the issuance of any building permit the type of material for the retaining wall shall be submitted to the Planning Board for review and approval.
  • The Landscape Plan shall be updated to relocate woody shrubs outside proposed snow storage areas or replace woody shrubs with perennials or ornamental grasses.
  • Prior to the issuance of a building permit for building #2 (the proposed bank building), the owner will return to the Planning Board for review of the building elevations, additional signage and any modifications to the overall site plan associated with this portion of the project.
  • The proposed site sign shall be a maximum height of 15 feet.  
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous

2 Fox Road: Waiver of Site Plan Review
Present were:   Jack McQuilkin, JM Associates
                John McCarthy, Applicant / Property Owner

Mr. McQuilkin explained that this property is a 28 acre parcel at the end of Fox Road near the Berlin town line.  The applicant is proposing to put in a bus terminal for bus storage.  In order to get access to the property the road will have to be widened by approximately 11 feet at its widest for a distance of 420 feet.  The turning radius will also have to be widened as well.  A storage area for the buses will need to be cleared.  It will be located adjacent to the building.  The storage space being proposed for the buses will a 33,000 square foot graveled area.  Once the land is graded out and the trees removed the terminal will be just under an acre which is 3.6% of the lot.  

Mr. McCarthy explained that the buses being stored at Hudson, Marlborough and Assabet school buses and there are approximately 80 of them.  There will be light maintenance performed on the buses such as oil changes and an occasion replacing of lights.  This work will be done in a garage not out in the open.  

Mr. D’Amelio asked if the building is set up with the appropriate infrastructure for oil changes.  Mr. McCarthy said yes.  Ms. Burke stated that auto repair on the site would require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The by-law states that motor vehicle repair facilities include those painting, repairing or storing of disabled vehicles.  Mr. McCarthy said no repairs would be done it would simply be maintenance and no disabled vehicles would be stored at this location.  Ms. Burke noted that whether this meets the threshold for a special permit is ultimately the decision for the Building Commissioner.  If he determines that it does than the site plan review cannot be waived.  However if it is deemed to not require a special permit than the Board can waive the need for site plan review.        

Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to waive site plan review for the “Plan of Land in Hudson, MA” as drawn by JM Associates of North Reading, MA 01864 and dated November 17, 2014 pending if it is deemed by the Building Commissioner that a special permit for automobile repair is required from the Zoning Board of Appeals the applicant will come back before the Board and with the following findings:

  • The proposed project does not generate any additional parking.
  • The project does not have significant impact on the property upon which it is located.
  • There are no adverse impacts to abutters.  
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous

Brigham Hill III – Phase I: Bond Reduction Request  

Ms. Burke explained that the when the last bond reduction was considered by the Board the DPW did not have the correct phasing plan.  Therefore the amount that the bond was reduced to was incorrect.  The correct amount to remain in the bond is $158,878.50.  

Mr. D’Amelio wants the same number of trees planted.  He argued that the number of lots may have been reduced however the area of land remains that same.  The Board agreed that they expect the same number of trees as originally planned.  

Bob D’Amelio, seconded by Tom Collins, to reduce the bond for the Brigham Hill III, Phase I Subdivision to a remaining amount of $158,878.50 and with the stipulation that the same  number of trees be planted that were required in the original subdivision approval.

Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous

Minutes

Tom Collins, seconded by David Daigneault, made a motion to accept the minutes of December 2, 2014, as corrected.

Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.

Adjournment

Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, moved to adjourn at 8:15 PM.

Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous


Document List December 16, 2014

Documents
Location
14 High Street proposed conditions
Planning Office
2 Fox Road, site plan review waiver request and plans
Planning Office
Bond reduction request Brigham Hill III – Phase I
Planning Office
Minutes of December 2, 2014
Planning Office




Cc:     Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner