PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
December 1, 2003
The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, December 01, 2003, in Memorial Hall, 3rd floor, City Hall, Marlborough, MA 01752. 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: Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Peters, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the minutes of the meeting on Monday, November 17, 2003.
CHAIR’S BUSINESS
Update by Director of Planning Lima
Mr. Lima spoke briefly with regards to the on-going housing strategy. The intention of the newly formed housing committee is to try to stay ahead of the 10 % requirement. Mr. Lima would like to reserve approximately ½ hour at a future planning board meeting to discuss the issue in more detail and include the Board in future discussions.
Mrs. Wilderman explained that the Board’s meeting on December 15 might be too short. The first meeting in January will probably be on January 12, 2003 and Mr. Lima will be included on the agenda.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLANS
Central Mass. Lot 11 Danjou Drive
This plan was withdrawn by the proponent.
West Hill Road
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer this plan to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, December 15, 2003.
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
Update by City Engineer
Mr. Temple apologized to the Board but was unaware that he would be covering the meeting until late this afternoon so was unable to provide the normal report.
Water’s Edge: request for bond reduction
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple and to recommend that the developer meet with the Engineering Office before they take any action on the bond reduction request.
Forbes Avenue
Mr. Ansari is concerned that the subdivision has been completed for a number of years and the only reason that the streets have not yet been accepted were legal snafus only. He does not feel that he should be held accountable for repairing roadways that should have been accepted four years ago.
Chairperson Fenby assured Mr. Ansari that they would be looking into the record.
On a motion by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple and to recommend that the developer meet with the engineering office to discuss any outstanding issues.
High Ridge Estates: request for bond reduction and acceptance
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple regarding the outstanding work issues on this site.
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Coveney, it was duly voted:
To forward correspondence to Mr. Cato advising him to meet with the engineering department. Any outstanding issues for this subdivision will have to be completed no later than May 31, 2004 or the Board will take steps to take any outstanding bond monies to finish the roadway.
Millham Woods: request for pool in “no build” zone
On a motion by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To deny the application for a amendment to the Open Space special permit that would allow the construction of an inground pool and fence in the “no build” space at 39 Gregoire Drive.
Forest Trail
A brief discussion was held regarding Conservation Officer Ryder’s concerns with the size of some of the stock piles at this subdivision. Mrs. Wilderman also reminded the Board that this is an issue that continues to be an issue with no current ordinances or regulations to prevent the problem.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Johnson, it was duly voted:
To ask the City Solicitor for appropriate language that could be used by the Board in correspondence with the developer to advise them of what the Board considers unsafe practices and conditions, to document and re-iterate their liability in case of an accident.
Additionally Mr. Temple will prepare correspondence with Commissioner LaFreniere to discuss anything in excess of a 2:1 slope being potentially in violation of their standards.
Mrs. Wilderman will also have a discussion with the Site Plan Review Committee at the next meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 with regards to the on-going project by Fafard on route 20 east as it applies to the stockpiling issue.
Shorter Street
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the request for a bond amount to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, December 15, 2003.
SIGNS
Exxon Station “Gourmet Donuts”
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To approve the variance for the addition of a 2’ X 6’ sign on the freestanding pylon sign with the caveat that the site must continue to be in compliance. Should the non-compliant signs appear at any time in the future the proponent will forfeit this variance.
CVS
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and approve the variance to allow the CVS at 264 East Main Street to replace the existing sign panel with a message board sign.
The proponent understands that the variance in no way excludes the sign from adherence to all requirements for message board signs, i.e. no changes more than once an hour and no use of special effects (flashing, moving, etc.).
Rack and Roll
Ms. Hughes asked the Board to take a look at the directional sign that was approved for the Rack and Roll club to be located on the east side of the Joseph’s on Main building. It appears that the sign erected differs from the sign that was approved. Mrs. Wilderman agreed to review the sign.
COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hodge, 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 8:30 p.m.
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