Minutes of Meeting – January 6, 2015
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, Rodney Frias, Dirk Underwood, Tom Collins, David Daigneault, and Jennifer Burke, Planning Director.
568 Main Street, Site Plan Review, Cont.
Present were: Stephen O’Connell, Andrews Survey & Engineering
Jennifer Connolly, Connolly Traffic Consultants
Christopher Yates, Atty. at Law
Robert Collings, Property Owner
Paula Thompson, Waterman Design Associates
Mr. O’Connell began by noting that the plans and the stormwater management have been reviewed by the Town’s consultant, Waterman Design Associates (WDA). Ms. Thompson supplied comments to the applicant and Mr. O’Connell has prepared responses to the six comments. She did add that the comments were minor technical issues.
There are no noticeable changes to the plans with regards to WDA’s comments. Most of the comments related to stormwater report edits and revisions. The plans do however show a change that resulted from consultation with the two closest abutters on Hunter Ave. Earth berms have been created to act as a sound and visual barrier at the far end of the property at the abutter’s request.
Gladys Beaudette, 84 Hunter Ave. spoke against approving this project. She feels that this will negatively impact the area.
Tom Green, 2 Gately Ave., stated that his understanding is that this is not a public road but to be used more as a driveway to the Collings Foundation. He asked if the road will be wide enough to accommodate bicycle access as this road abuts the rail trail at two different sections. Mr. O’Connell said that the applicant is not prepared to answer this question as this is the first time this issue has come up.
John Lage, 90 Hunter Ave. is one of the two abutters that requested the barrier. He stated that what is being proposed is not what was discussed and he feels that they were not given adequate time to review the changes to the plans. He explained that what is being proposed makes things worse as many trees will need to be removed to accommodate the size of the berm. Mr. Collings stated the berms could be moved back and narrowed if that would satisfy the abutters. Mr. D’Amelio suggested narrowing the top of a ten foot high berm to 5 feet with a 2 to 1 slope and moving it as close to the road as possible. He believes this would result in a gain of approximately 15 to 20 feet further from the property line and keep that area wooded while still maintaining the swale. Mr. O’Connell agreed to
make the changes.
Mr. D’Amelio referenced an opinion that the Board sought from Town Counsel regarding what the Board can consider during its deliberation of this plan. The opinion states that Hudson regulatory Boards cannot exercise any direction or control over uses or sighting structures that are located in Stow nor can Stow do the same for Hudson.
Ms. Connolly went over the summary items from the peer review conducted by Ron Müller. One of the recommendations was to trim the roadside vegetation in order to achieve 445 feet of site distance at the intersection of the driveway. He also suggested that the Hudson Police Department should make determinations about Police Officer controls during special events. The site driveway should be constructed providing at least two ten foot wide exiting lanes. The applicant agreed with the recommendations.
Ms. Beaudette asked if the Town was going to prohibit gravel removal from the site. Mr. D’Amelio stated that one of the conditions of approval will state that no removal of gravel from the Hudson side will be allowed.
Mr. D’Amelio noted that due to the fact that Ms. Thompson only received the updated plans today she has not had time to review the changes. He stated that he is hesitant about closing the public hearing as it will not allow the public to comment on the changes. Mr. Underwood cited his concern for this as well. Mr. O’Connell stated that this would be at the risk to the applicant and they would be willing to bear the burden of the consequences. Mr. Collings and Atty. Yates left the room to discuss their options.
The public hearing was adjourned.
Tree Removal Hearing
Mr. D’Amelio convened the Public Hearing.
Two trees along Main Street and one tree on Brigham Street have been flagged for removal. The trees have been deemed dead and potentially hazardous and should be taken down by the DPW. The trees are as follows:
Main Street (FROM FOREST AVE TO #471)
28” MAPLE
20” MAPLE
83 Brigham Street 15” MAPLE
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to close the public hearing.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to approve the removal of the following trees:
Main Street (FROM FOREST AVE TO #471)
28” MAPLE
20” MAPLE
83 Brigham Street 15” MAPLE
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous.
34 Tower Street, Site Plan Review
The Board is in receipt of an email dated January 2, 2015 from Karina Quinn requesting withdrawal of the submission for site plan review for 34 Tower Street without prejudice.
Rodney Frias, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to accept the withdrawal of the site plan for 34 Tower Street.
Vote: 5-0-0, Unanimous
Mr. Frias left the meeting.
568 Main Street, Site Plan Review, Cont.
The public hearing reconvened.
Atty. Yates stated that the applicant is willing to take the risk of closing the public hearing. The applicant feels that all the comments from WDA have been addressed. Atty. Yates asked that it be made clear in the conditions that the berms will be moved west so as to supply an additional 25 feet of space between the berms and the abutters and that the plans presented this evening do not reflect this.
Mr. D’Amelio clarified that the top of the berm will be narrowed to 5 feet at the top and move it as close as possible to the road. After some discussion it was decided that the hearing would be suspended to allow the applicant to meet with Mr. Lage to try to resolve the issues at hand.
The public hearing was adjourned.
Brigham Hill III, Discussion
Linda Di Liddo, Fossile Construction
Ms. Di Liddo has come before the Board to discuss a possible partial street acceptance. Ms. Burke stated that she had spoken with Tony Marques and he said it is up to the Board as to how they wish to proceed with the request. However he did say that he would prefer to wait until November. He did say that if the Board decided to go forward he would work with the Board. Mr. Underwood stated that he feels uncomfortable accepting only a portion of the road.
The Board ultimately agreed to hold off until November 2015.
568 Main Street, Site Plan Review, Cont.
The public hearing reconvened.
Atty. Yates informed the Board that after meeting with Mr. Lage the following terms were agreed to:
- As large of a natural buffer as possible with a minimum of a 40 foot buffer from the berm to the abutters property lines at 88 and 90 Hunter Ave.
- The maximum height of a 10 foot berm and a minimum height of an 8 foot berm.
- A maximum width of 5 feet at the top of the berm.
David Daigneault, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to close the public hearing for 568 Main Street.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous.
The Board will meet on January 20, 2015 at 7:00PM to discuss a decision.
Adjournment
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, moved to adjourn at 8:20 PM.
Vote: 4-0-0, Unanimous
Document List January 6, 2015
Documents |
Location |
Memo from DPW regarding tree hearing |
Planning Office |
Application for site plan review and plans for 34 Tower Street |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
