TOWN OF MARION
PLANNING BOARD
August 17, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Thomas Magauran, Chairman
Joseph Napoli, Vice-Chairman
John Sweeney, Clerk
Patricia McArdle (7:30 p.m.)
Jay Ryder
Julia Deane Crowley
Steve Gonsalves
BOARD SECRETARY: Debra Paiva
ALSO PRESENT: Ricky Pursley
Lucy Napoli
Carol Sanz
Jeffrey Oakes
Tobey Burr
John Folino
Paul Iorio
Commencement – Chairman Magauran called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. and explained meeting procedure.
Approval of Minutes
Moved by Vice-Chairman Napoli and seconded by Member Ryder to approve the minutes of the July 20, 2009 meeting as written. VOTE: 7-0-0
Corrected minutes of the June 15, 2009 meeting were signed.
NOTE: Member McArdle joined the meeting at this time (7:30)
Discussion – Refunds from 53G account
Moved by Member Ryder and seconded by Vice-Chairman Napoli to refund $500 to Leo’s. VOTE: 7-0-0
Moved by Member Ryder and seconded by Vice-Chairman Napoli to refund $1665 to Jay Patel. VOTE: 7-0-0
Moved by Vice-Chairman Napoli and seconded by Member Crowley to suspend the regular meeting and open the public hearing for the Burr Brothers Site Plan Review. VOTE: 7-0-0
Site Plan Review – Burr Brothers, Inc., Front Street, c/o CLE Engineering
The public hearing notice was read into the record. Mr. Burr was present and was represented by engineer Jeff Oakes. Comments from the Chief of Police, Board of Health, and Marine Resources Commission were read into the record.
Mr. Oakes described the project. The property is located on Front Street; the site currently consists of seven buildings associated with a marina. The proposal is to provide additional indoor boat storage for the off-season. An existing building will be removed and replaced with a larger building attached to an existing office and shed, resulting in 12,000 square feet additional indoor boat storage. The existing crushed stone surface will be replaced with paved areas and water treatment quality structures. Comments from Field Engineering were received on August 3 and Mr. Oakes is still working on his response to those comments. A Notice of Intent has been filed with the Conservation Commission. Two waivers relative to drainage treatment (Subdivision Rules & Regulations Section
4600, 4.5.2 and 4.2.2) will be requested; Mr. Oakes agreed to submit a written request to the Planning office.
At Member Sweeney’s request Mr. Oakes provided a description of the drainage structures. Member Sweeney questioned the Board of Health’s requirement of a perc test at the drainage structure locations. Member Crowley asked how the project will impact shellfish; Mr. Oakes said it should have a positive impact as drainage is provided in areas where there currently is none. Chairman Magauran asked how this project relates to the band shell area on the adjacent lot and was told there is no relation. Member Ryder asked how much roof is proposed and how the roof runoff will be treated; Mr. Oakes said there will be 22,000 square feet of roof and the runoff will be directed to crushed stone trenches along the perimeter of the building. 23 parking spaces are required; Mr. Oakes has revised
the plan to show approximately 66 spaces.
The decision for this application is due by August 29; Mr. Oakes submitted a letter agreeing to an extension to October 19.
Member Sweeney asked if the size of the water service will be adequate; Mr. Burr said he believed it would be.
Member Sweeney asked if the sewer system included a pump and was told it is a gravity feed system.
Vice-Chairman Napoli asked Mr. Oakes’ opinion of the comments made by Field Engineering; Mr. Oakes said he has used the comments to make improvements to the plan.
Moved by Vice-Chairman Napoli and seconded by Member Crowley to continue the public hearing to September 8 at 8:00 p.m. VOTE: 7-0-0
Old/New Business
Discussion – 2015 Oversight Committee, c/o Steve Grima
NOTE: Chairman Magauran and Vice-Chairman Napoli are both members of the 2015 Oversight Committee
Chairman Magauran explained the history of the 2015 Report and the role of the 2015 Oversight Committee. Mr. Grima said the Oversight Committee would like to hire a consultant to work with the Town Boards to develop a mixed use bylaw. Member Crowley recommended that Mr. Cheney of the General Store be involved; Member Gonsalves recommended that business owners throughout the entire town be involved. Mr. Grima submitted a proposal including a description of need, goals, process, service, and budget ($16,000).
During the discussion the following issues were addressed:
Needs - Class A office space, levels of affordability
Budget – Member Ryder said the Planning Board should look to other Boards for funds to assist in the cost. Vice-Chairman Napoli asked if consultants had been approached and asked for estimates and was told yes; he voiced surprise that the estimates were less than $20,000.
Selection process – Member Crowley said potential consultants should make presentations before the Planning Board in an effort to ensure that local needs are met. Chairman Magauran agreed and said if presentations are not possible an RFP process should be followed.
Size of overlay – Member Gonsalves and Member Ryder both recommended the inclusion of additional nodes in a mixed use overlay.
Result of work – Member Magauran said the work done will be a significant component, or core, of a Master Plan for the town.
Member McArdle said the Planning Board developed a proposal for a Neighborhood Overlay District, which was supported by Town Boards and Commissions; she asked what the proposal will provide to the Board that it doesn’t already have. Member Gonsalves said the proposal needs to be sold (approved at Town Meeting) and residents need more information. Chairman Magauran said a consultant will help the Board provide a better model of what a developed project.
Carol Sanz said the Board doesn’t understand that not everybody wants change in Marion; Member Gonsalves said change is inevitable.
Member Magauran said he wanted the following three things: More levels of affordability; Jobs that would allow people to live and work in town; Better office space
Member McArdle recommended more structured language that would allow some change but not be so drastic that the small town character is threatened.
Chairman Magauran said the 2015 Oversight Committee is a facilitator group and he believes this process will help the Board achieve a better result in the bylaw process and gaining support at Town Meeting.
Private funds – Chairman Magauran said another option is to solicit private funds but there is a perception that contributors are “buying the report”. Member Gonsalves said he did not like the idea of private funds. Member Ryder suggested the Board establish a number within their budget and then solicit funds from other Boards. Chairman Magauran suggested the Board vote to approve an allocation of $14,000 that would be available to fund an RFP process; if it turns out that additional funds are required the Board can figure out whether to request more from the Board of Selectmen.
Moved by Member Ryder and seconded by Member Gonsalves to authorize an allocation of $14,000 from the Planning budget towards a consensus building process as being set out by the 2015 Oversight Committee to be participated in with the Planning Board throughout the whole process. VOTE: 5-1-1 (Member McArdle opposed, Vice-Chairman Napoli abstaining)
Member Ryder noted that the Planning Board is entitled to 20 hours of assistance from SRPEDD.
Chairman Magauran announced that the Executive Session on the agenda will be held at the next meeting.
Moved by Vice-Chairman Napoli and seconded by Member McArdle at 9:00 p.m. to adjourn. VOTE: 7-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
John Sweeney, Clerk
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