PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
September 29, 2003
The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, September 8, 2003, in Memorial Hall, 3rd floor, City Hall, Marlborough, MA 01752. Members present: Chairperson Barbara L. Fenby, Clerk Colleen M. Hughes, Philip J. Hodge, Raymond R. Peters, Robert Hanson and Clyde L. Johnson. Also present: Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple.
MINUTES
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the minutes of the meeting, September 8, 2003.
CHAIRS BUSINESS
Update by Director of Planning Lima
Mr. Lima advised that October 25, 2003 will be the date of the Annual Master planning Forum. The theme of this year’s forum will be “Healthy Community Initiative”.
An Economic Development Committee has been formed. Mr. Lima advised that they have a focus group of 22 individuals that will hold four meetings a year.
There is also a housing plan underway. Tonight was the first meeting of the affordable housing committee and Mr. Lima hopes that they will be able to have an impact on the affordable housing stock in the city. One of their proposals will be to amend the current retirement community zones to include the requirement for affordable housing. Currently the city requires that all multi-family developments include a 15% affordable component with the exception of the retirement communities.
Mr. Lima also asked the Board if they are still interested in pursuing the “pork chop lot” or “hammerhead” lots. Mr. Hodge, who sits on the Zoning Advisory Committee, admitted that he is still interested in the concept but there was a member of the advisory committee who was adamantly opposed to the idea. The Board would like to review the work done to date on the wording for the amendment. Mr. Lima will provide the Board with a copy of the draft language.
Draft Web Site Page
The Board is satisfied with the work done to date for the web site page for the Planning Board. Mrs. Wilderman advised that as things change or other idea’s come to mind we can add or delete any information at will.
Scenic Road Hearing
A hearing date of October 20, 2003 was determined for the Scenic Road application of Leslie Kmetz of 43 Berlin Road.
Scenic Road Hearing
A hearing date of October 20, 2003 was determined for the Scenic Road application of Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder for the construction of a six car gravel parking lot on Stow Road to access trails at the Mello Family Meadow and Cider Knoll conservation land.
Scenic Road correspondence from Tree Warden Chris White
Mr. White advised the Board that a number of dead trees have been removed as hazards. He provided the Board with a list of the trees and locations and has further advised that replacements will be planted at the proper locations.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLANS
Central Mass. Engineering – Gulbankians
Mr. Parente presented the Board with two plans for the Gulbankian’s site; one for the residential piece and one for the commercial piece. This is in preparation of an agreement between the Levon and Donald Gulbankian.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plans for the residential land to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003.
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plans for the commercial land to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003.
Russell Street
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plans to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
8:00 Extension of Overlay Zone
Attorney William Pezzoni, on behalf of his client, David Franchi, sent correspondence to City Council President Dennis Hunt advising that as the statutory 65 day period for the Planning Board to hold a hearing has expired, he is requesting a new hearing before the City Council and Planning Board. The hearing, when scheduled, will be held jointly.
(***The City Council has since scheduled the joint hearing for November 3, 2003.)
8:15 Scenic Road Hearing 210 West Hill Road
The Planning Board of the City of Marlborough held a public hearing on Monday, September 29, 2003, at 8:15 p.m. in Memorial Hall, 3rd Floor, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough on an application to do work on a Scenic Road. Members present: Chairperson Barbara L. Fenby, Clerk Colleen M. Hughes, Philip J. Hodge, Edward F. Coveney, Raymond R. Peters, Robert Hanson and Clyde L. Johnson. Also present: City Engineer Patrick M. Clancy.
Clerk Hughes read a copy of the proposal advertisement.
Public Notice
A public hearing will be held before the Marlborough Planning Board at 8:15 P.M. on Monday, September 29, 2003 in Memorial Hall, 3rd floor, City Hall, 140 Main Street, Marlborough. This notice is published in accordance with the requirements of the Code of the City of Marlborough, “Scenic Roads Act”, and MGL Chapter 40, section 15C. The hearing is being held with respect to removal of wall within the limits of the public way for construction of new driveways.
Project Name: 210 West Hill Road wall removal
Applicants Name: Francis R. Miele
140 Walnut Street
Shrewsbury, MA
Extent of Work: Removal and reset stonewall for two proposed
Driveways at 210 and 218 West Hill Road.
Paul DiTullio made a brief presentation on behalf of landowners. He showed pictures of where the proposed driveways will be going. The small section of rocks to be removed will be used for the extension of the wall. One tree is being removed but it is being removed by the power company as it is interfering with their lines and out of his control.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To approve the application for work on a scenic road with the understanding that the rocks that comprise a portion of the wall will be re-positioned along the rest of the wall and that Mr. DiTullio will provide pictures after the work is complete.
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
Update by City Engineer
Mr. Clancy advised that there has not really been any substantial changes to the updates. He has still not heard from anyone regarding Fiddlehead. The Board asked Mrs. Wilderman to draft another letter to them.
The Water’s Edge subdivision is still working on issues. However Mr. Clancy did advise the Board that he has done considerable work on the roadways, sidewalks, etc. There is still a problem with the slope at the open space and the trail work has not yet been completed.
Slocomb Lane: request for reconsideration of the roadway
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Benchmark Engineering and from Mr. Bennett of the Marlborough Savings Bank and to approve the change to the roadway design for Slocomb Lane.
Fahey Street: request for extension and bond reduction
Mr. Clancy advised the Board that the schedule that had been submitted by the development for completion of the roadway was not accurate. A number of issues that showed on the completion schedule for September have not yet been completed and it is doubtful that they will be completed by Tuesday. Mr. Clancy would like to see a corrected schedule and would not recommend beyond a two-month extension.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To advise Mr. White to speak with the City Engineer and provide a revised completion schedule for the next meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003.
Correspondence from Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder
Ms. Ryder has received another inquiry from a homeowner asking what work can be done in the perimeter buffer zones in Open Space Developments. It is a question that comes up frequently and it does not appear to be clearly stated in the Open Space regulations.
Mrs. Wilderman asked the Board to consider severely limiting the work that can be done to make it easy. Within the past few weeks the building department has been inundated by requests for utilization of the buffer space and it might be easier to simply disallow any interference in the natural buffer.
The Board asked Mrs. Wilderman to draft a statement to that effect for the next meeting on Monday, October 20, 2003.
Mr. Hanson commented that the information as approved might be a good thing to put on the web site.
PENDING SUBDIVISION PLANS: Updates and Discussions
Definitive Old Orchard Heights
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Stephen E. Poole of Consolidated Design Group and to extend the time for consideration of this subdivision for an additional sixty days.
Definitive O’Leary’s Landing
Mr. Clancy advised the Board that the plans now meet with his approval. There is one minor change that the engineer needs to make on the mylar but it is nothing that should keep the Board from approving.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To approve a waiver from the Subdivision Rules and Regulations Section III.B.d – Comparative Impact Analysis.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To approve a waiver from the Subdivision Rules and Regulations Section V.C.2 – Utilities as there is no gas service within 800’ of the site.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To approve a Definitive Plan of a Subdivision known as O’Leary’s Landing. Note that there are two (2) approved waivers. The Planning Board will endorse the definitive plans after the twenty (20) day appeal period, provided no appeal has been recorded and a covenant has been submitted and approved by the Planning Board. Name of owner: Auger, O’Leary & Provost, 207 Berlin Road, Marlborough, MA 01752. Engineer: Connorstone Engineering, 276 West Main Street, Northborough, MA 01532.
Definitive Acre Bridge Estates
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Mr. Garafalo and to approve the extension of time for consideration of this subdivision until November 3, 2003.
DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION SUBMISSION
Definitive Subdivision Eager Court
A public hearing date of October 20, 2003 was scheduled for this one lot subdivision.
SIGNS
Exxon Station “Gourmet Donuts”
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the recommendation from Building Commissioner Stephen F. Reid and to ask the station owner to provide the Board a complete sign summary of all of the various signs, banners, notices, etc that currently applied to the faces of the buildings, pumps, pump islands, freestanding signs, etc.
Upon review of that summary the Building Commissioner and City Planner will be able to provide this Board with a recommendation for appropriate measures to bring all signs on the site into conformance as well as to provide a possible compromise for the additional signage.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Peters, 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 8:40 p.m.
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