The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, January 27, 2003, in Memorial Hall, 3rd floor, City Hall, Marlborough, MA 01752. Members present: Chairperson Barbara L. Fenby, Acting Clerk Philip J. Hodge, Raymond R. Peters and Clyde L. Johnson. Also present: City Engineer Patrick M. Clancy.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To nominate the current slate of officers for the next year and to close the nomination.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To elect Barbara L. Fenby as Chair and Colleen M. Hughes as Clerk.
MINUTES
Mrs. Wilderman will correct page nine of the minutes and they will be presented for approval at the next meeting.
CHAIR’S BUSINESS
Fairfield at Marlborough Correspondence
Mrs. Wilderman advised the Board that the hearings before the ZBA in Marlborough will start in February. She will get the exact date and time for the members information.
Change to Sign Ordinance
The City Council is now reviewing the proposed changes to the “Downtown” district in the sign ordinance, including its expansion to Granger Boulevard. It was explained that the proposed design review board will not have the authority to issue any variances from the sign ordinance but will only assist business owners to design signs within the parameters of the ordinance. Any requests for waivers from the ordinance would still have to be presented to the Planning Board for their decision.
Entranceway Zoning Performance Standards
Mr. Lima was unavailable for this evening’s meeting but he has provided the outline of what is to be proposed for the four major entrances to the City. It was the Board’s opinion that the proposal looks good but is missing any mention of the sign issues that have come before the Board in the past.
Chairperson Fenby asked that Mrs. Wilderman bring the sign issue to Mr. Lima’s attention. She also asked that he may wish to look at what the Town of Westwood has done with their entrance signs.
City Council Order #03-9890
A public hearing date of Monday, February 24, 2003 was set for the request to change the zone on Forest Street.
Planning Board schedule of meetings
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept the schedule as presented.
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
Update by City Engineer
City Engineer Clancy distributed an updated version of the subdivision map. There has been little change on the progress of the outstanding subdivision due to weather and time of year.
Waters Edge
Mr. Clancy advised that the detention basin issues are still under review and will not be settled until better weather. Mr. Ansari did complete a considerable amount of paving and roadway work.
On a motion by Mr. Peters, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple recommending a bond reduction and to recommend that the bond securing this subdivision be reduced from $529,000.00 to $310,000.00.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder regarding the condition of the trail system construction.
Orchard Estates III
The Planning Board reviewed and discussed the correspondence from Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder regarding the final construction of the trail and parking requirements for this site. The Board was in complete agreement with the concept of the developer assisting in the construction of the off-site parking at the trailhead. City Engineer Clancy asked that the Board request that Mr. Fossile assist in the actual construction rather than some type of payment schedule as he believes that it will probably be less expensive for the developer to do the work and also will eliminate the need for the city to put another project out to bid.
The developer’s representative, Robert Parente of Central Mass. Engineering, advised that he has spoken briefly to his client. The Planning Board will take no further action on this subject until Mr. Fossile has been advised and a plan completed. There will also have to probably have a scenic road hearing before construction, as well.
Hudson Street Crossing request for acceptance
Mr. Clancy and Mr. O’Malley explained what appears to be a misunderstanding the acceptance of the streets as referred to the Planning Board by the City Council. Technically the subdivision has never been in a “maintenance” period, although it was the developer’s understanding that it was.
Both the City Engineer and the Developer have reached an understanding and will have the topic before the Board at the next meeting on Monday, February 10, 2003.
Cider Mill Estate
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from City Solicitor Golden and to sign the covenant for this subdivision.
Fahey Street request for extension
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the request to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, February 10, 2003.
Westridge Estates extension request
City Engineer Clancy advised the Board that this subdivision needs to be completed in conjunction with Cider Mill Estates so he recommended the extension.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and endorse the request for a two year extension for the completion of this subdivision.
Gregoire Drive request for acceptance
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To recommend the acceptance of Gregoire Drive as a public way.
PENDING SUBDIVISION PLANS: Updates and Discussions
Definitive Plan Berlin Road
Mr. Parente presented the Board with a plan that contains language that will limit the larger parcel against any further subdivision. Board members were concerned that the language needs to be such that the restriction will be carried for any future sales.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To refer this plan and language to the City Solicitor for his opinion and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, February 10, 2003.
Definitive Plan Shorter Street
There was a brief discussion regarding a tentative plan presented by Robert Parente that addresses the emergency access issues. The Board members will do a site walk to familiarize themselves with the area.
DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION SUBMISSION
Acres Bridge Estates (off Cook Lane)
A date of Monday, February 24, 2003 was designated for the public hearing.
SIGNS
(City Engineer Clancy had to leave the meeting to give a presentation at the City Council meeting.)
Wayside Ford
Hazel Hopkins, a sign permit consultant, spoke on behalf of her client, Claude Levesque of Wayside Ford. They had made a presentation to the Board in a previous meeting. Essentially they were looking to remove two of the existing freestanding signs and replace it with one sign, as well as to simply re-face one smaller freestanding sign that directs the public to the service department. The size of the proposed freestanding sign exceeds the allowed size.
The Board had been inclined to agree with the owner that this would be an improvement to the site but had asked him and his consultant to meet with Building Commissioner Steve Reid to see if they could come to some sort of agreement about extending the landscaping strip from Mr. Levesque’s recently complete site.
Due to the existing parking and the turn radius needed for the car carriers coming on site, it was determined that the landscaping strip on the old parcel can only be seven feet (7’) wide and approximately eighty seven feet (87’) long. The Board agreed that this would certainly meet the intent of their request. It was also pointed out that when Mr. Levesque restructures his building in the future he will go through the site plan process at that time and all landscaping requirements will be fulfilled.
It was also determined that the Board had no problem with Mr. Levesque attempting to center his sign if it only involves a minor encroachment onto his adjacent property.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To approve the requested sign variance as it will greatly improve the appearance at one of the city’s gateways.
INFORMAL DISCUSSIONS
Eager Court
Tom DiPersio of Thomas Land Surveyors & Engineering Consultants, Inc. spoke to the Board on behalf of his client Barbara Jo Bliss of 45 Eager Court. Ms. Bliss owns land at the end of the existing Eager Court. Due to some personal setbacks it would appear as though Ms. Bliss must sell off some of the property and wishes to subdivide. However, she would be asking for a number of waivers from the subdivision rules and regulations:
· Right of way width reduced from 50 feet to 30 feet
· Length of cul de sac from 629’ (existing) to 730’
· No sidewalks installed
· Cape cod berm instead of granite
· Width of pavement from 28’ to 20’
Eager Court is an existing public way to a point. There is no cul-de-sac at the end…motorists use part of Santella’s property as a turn around.
Mr. Hodge said that the informal plan drawn up by Mr. DiPersio looks to be an improvement over existing conditions and while it may be a good trade-off the Board is hesitant to set a precedent. For instance, instead of eliminating the sidewalks entirely, this might be a good location for the “meandering” sidewalk effect.
There may be some other history on the site for past attempts for either subdivisions or variances. Mrs. Wilderman will check for the next meeting. Board members will also attempt to walk the site to familiarize them with the proposal.
It was agreed that the Board would be inclined to defer to the City Engineer on this topic.
COMMUNICATIONS/CORRESPONDENCE
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To accept and file all items listed under communications and/or correspondence.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To adjourn at 9:15 P.M.
A TRUE COPY
ATTEST: __________________________
Acting Clerk Philip J. Hodge
| 