Minutes of Meeting – August 18, 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: Dirk Underwood, Tom Collins, David Daigneault and Teresa Vickery, Clerk.
7 South Street, Site Plan Review
Present were: Charles Randall, Applicant
Ray Porier, Applicant
Paul Giannetti, Atty. at Law
Tom DiPersio, Engineer
Glenn Davis, Architect
Mr. Underwood convened the Public Hearing.
Atty. Giannetti explained that the proposed building site is currently a vacant lot that is sandwiched between the Amvets (west side) and the South Street Plaza (east side). The proposal calls for a four story commercial building on this lot. The property is located in the C1 District which does not have regulations regarding parking or set backs.
Mr. DiPersio explained that the lot is just over 27,000 square feet, two-thirds of the site is paved as it had been formerly developed. The rear portion of the site is wooded and adjacent to the river. There is no existing storm water drainage on the property.
The building will come right up to the back of the sidewalk on the front property line. There will be a single entrance/exit from South Street along the western side. Ten parking spaces have been created along the western property line. A 24 foot wide entrance egress is being proposed. There will be a parking lot in the rear on the building on the ground level which will provide 11 spaces. These spaces will be underneath the second, third and fourth floors of the building. These spaces will be reserved for tenants of the building. The parking lot will be designed in accordance with DEP regulations regarding storm water management.
Enhancements to the buffer zone are being proposed. The removal of some of the invasive trees as well as stabilization of some of the eroding slope areas and the inclusion of some new plantings will help to enhance the buffer zone. The existing foot path at the southern end of the site will be improved as well.
A fire flow pressure test has been performed as per the order of the ITC. This test showed sufficient water supply for fire suppression. The storm water system design has the roof drains discharging via an infiltration system at back of the site under the parking lot. The parking lot will pitch slightly towards the back and be collected into a catch system and through a treatment system and be infiltrated at the southern side of the building. Snow storage will be at the back of the parking lot on a small heated pad to help facilitate melting. Larger storms would have the snow being removed from the site.
A concrete walkway around the perimeter of the building is being proposed that would connect to the footpath. The existing sidewalk across the frontage will be improved with a brick type surface that will extend into the main entrance to the building.
Mr. Randall noted that there would be a 2 to 1 ratio of office space to retail space in the building.
Mr. Davis went of some aspects of the building design. The first floor of the building is 8,505 square feet in area this floor will be dedicated to retail uses. The second and third levels will be 13,085 square feet. The top floor is currently at 6,793 square feet however this could expand it by changing the slope of the gable roof. The total square footage of the proposed building is approximately 41,500 square feet.
The façade of the building was designed to mimic that of area buildings.
Atty. Giannetti stated that the applicant is working with a landscape architect to enhance the area along the river, perhaps adding some tables along the rivers edge.
Nick Pizzamento, 29 South Street cited his concern for the parking issue. There was a lengthy conversation regarding the parking. Mr. Porier and Mr. Randall stated that there is ample parking in the area and there are lots that are not being utilized. Mr. Randall also noted that the building is in the C-1 Zoning District which does not have any requirement for parking.
Chuck Armstead, Commander of the Amvets asked if an Environmental Impact Study has been done. Mr. Davis said yes.
Mr. Underwood asked who owns the parking spaces along the Amvets building that are currently used by Amvets patrons. Mr. Randall explained that he and Mr. Porier do however they have an arrangement which allows them to use those spaces after hours. They also agreed that if there are any events there they will try to accommodate them. However if the Amvets should sell the property the agreement will cease.
Mr. Underwood would like the project reviewed by the Town’s engineer. Ms. Vickery will arrange the peer review and the hearing will be continued until the review can be completed.
Tom Collins, seconded by Dirk Underwood, made a motion to continue the public hearing for 7 South Street to September 15, 2015 at 7:00 PM.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Minutes
David Daigneault, seconded by Tom Collins, made a motion to accept the minutes of July 21, 2015, as corrected.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Adjournment
Dirk Underwood, seconded by David Daigneault, moved to adjourn at 7:45 PM.
Vote: 3-0-0, Unanimous
Document List August 18, 2015
Documents |
Location |
Site Plan Application and Plans, 7 South Street |
Planning Office |
Minutes of July 21, 2015 |
Planning Office |
Cc: Town Clerk
Department of Public Works
Jeff Wood, Building Commissioner
| 
