PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
December 15, 2003
The Planning Board for the City of Marlborough met on Monday, December 15, 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, and Robert Hanson. Also present: Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple.
MINUTES
On a motion by Mr. Hanson, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the minutes of the meeting on Monday, December 1, 2003.
CHAIR’S BUSINESS
Letter to solicitor
The Solicitor’s office has not yet provided an answer to the memo requesting wording for stockpiling on construction site. It is expected that the new solicitor will respond after the first of the year.
APPROVAL NOT REQUIRED PLANS
West Hill Road
On a motion by Mr. Peters, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To deny approval for a plan believed to be approval not required of Richard and Jennifer Buroni, 308 West Hill Road, Marlborough, MA 01752. Name of Engineer: Thomas Land Surveyors and Engineering Consultants, 118 Forest Street, Hudson, MA 01749. Deed of property recorded in Middlesex Registry of Deeds, Book 33323, page 17. Location and description of property; land located south of West Hill Road and north of Berlin Road.
Acre Bridge Estates
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plan believed to be approval not required to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, January 12, 2003.
Royce Road
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Ms. Hughes, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plan believed to be approval not required to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, January 12, 2003.
Russell Street
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and refer the plan believed to be approval not required to the City Engineer for his review and recommendation at the next meeting on Monday, January 12, 2003.
SUBDIVISION PROGRESS REPORTS
Update by City Engineer
Assistant City Engineer Thomas P. Temple advised the Board that they will be using some down time during the winter to design a system that may alleviate some of the issues with outstanding subdivision. The Board noted that they will be happy to work to that end up to and including any bond takings as may be necessary.
Water’s Edge
The contractor has not contacted the engineering department to meet as agreed.
Forbes Avenue
The contractor has not contacted the engineering department to meet as agreed.
High Ridge Acres
The contractor has not contact the engineering department to meet as agreed.
Shorter Street
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Peters, it was duly voted:
To accept and file the correspondence from Assistant City Engineer Thomas Temple and to recommend that a bond in the amount of $5,000.00 be posted to secure the lot release for this subdivision.
PENDING SUBDIVISION PLANS: Updates and Discussions
Definitive Old Orchard Heights
Still under review by the engineering department and approval time has been extended until January 29, 2004.
Definitive Acre Bridge Estates
Still under review by the engineering department and approval time has been extended until December 31, 2003. Mrs. Wilderman will contact the developer to have him ask for another extension, as the Board will not meet again until January 12, 2003.
SIGNS
Request for sign variance: Romy’s Bakery
Walter Salvatierra has leased the building at 39 Mechanic Street (the old Kentucky Fried Chicken) and is renovating the property for a bakery. There is currently an existing freestanding sign at that location that was installed under a variance by the Board in 1993. Due to the unusual location of the building in proximity to the street and the fact that the site actually comprises two separate lots, any freestanding sign would be disallowed.
The 1993 variance became null and void at the time that the Kentucky Fried Chicken store closed. If the building was not as close to the street and their was a single lot, the proponent would be allowed a total of 29 square feet of signage. Mr. Salvatierra is proposing to replace the existing box with a sign that is 48 square feet. Additionally, the proposed sign would have a caricature of a baker above the sign that would add to the overall square footage.
Ms. Hughes admitted that from a marketing standpoint the caricature was a good idea to draw people into the store and requested that Mr. Salvatierra keep the caricature and drop the overall size of the sign. However, Mr. Salvatierra advised that his sign company; Gemini Sign, has already made the sign and he has paid for at least half of the sign.
On a motion by Mr. Hodge, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To grant a variance from the sign ordinance to allow the 48 square foot sign proposed. The proponent agrees to include the caricature of the baker as a flat wall sign rather than use it on the freestanding sign. In making their decision the Board cites the unusual circumstances of the property close to the street line, the lot delineation and the fact that this has been a derelict building right on the edge of the downtown district. Mr. Salvatierra has obviously worked hard to improve the site and should be assisted in this matter.
COMMUNICATION/CORRESPONDENCE
On a motion by Ms. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Hodge, it was duly voted:
To accept and file all items listed under communication and/or correspondence.
On a motion by Mr. Peters, seconded by Mr. Hanson, it was duly voted:
To adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
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