MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES APRIL 20, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Hatch, Craig Sweitzer, Karen King and Tara Hengeveld.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Haley
Also Present: Harold Leaming, Building Commissioner and George Robichaud, Fire Chief, Donald Frydryk, Sherman & Frydryk and John Rahkonen.
Craig Sweitzer convened the meeting at 7:00 P.M. and the Board signed the bill schedule.
Pioneer Valley Planning Commission has requested the Board forward the name of the Planning Board member who serves as the Board’s representative on the PVPC.
7:15 Public Hearing to review proposed changes to the Common Driveway bylaw and the Estate Lot bylaw.
Craig Sweitzer read the legal notice as it appeared in the Republican newspaper the weeks of April 1, & 8, 2010 for changes to the Monson Zoning Bylaws, Common Access Driveway Bylaw Sections 6.21.2.2, 6.21.3.1(b), 6.21.3.1(g) and the addition of a new section 6.21.6 Waivers and a change to the Monson Zoning Bylaw Single Family Dwellings on Estate Lot Section 6.5.8(c).
Craig Sweitzer stated the Board would vote separately on each bylaw.
George Robichaud questioned the change to Section 6.21.3.1(b) a maximum grade of twelve percent (12%) what does 12% look like?
Craig Sweitzer stated in previous discussions he remembers it was said that parts of Ely Road are 14%.
Chief Robichaud stated he would have no problem as long as it was reasonable.
Craig Sweitzer stated the change would allow a waiver from the 12% grade but the Planning Board would certainly take into consideration different surfaces and possibly allow a paved driveway to be a steeper pitch than gravel.
Chief Robichaud stated in Section 6.21.6.1(a) reference is made to an electronic fire monitoring system connected directly to the Monson Fire Department. The Monson Fire Department has no provision for direct electronic monitoring everything goes through a call center.
Craig Sweitzer stated the language could be changed to “connected to the Fire Department through an appropriate call service”.
Donald Frydryk stated they included the requirement because if a waiver is granted for a length greater than the maximum allowed the earlier warning the Department has the more chance of saving the structure.
Paul Hatch stated he had a concern with the change to Section 6.21.3.1(g) relating to the provision that all stormwater runoff from the common driveway shall be contained on the property. He was not in favor of changing that.
Donald Frydryk stated if they could not contain all of the water on the property the proposed change would allow mitigation by stormwater management best practices to result in no net increase in pre-development peak flow compared to post-development peak flow.
Paul Hatch stated he was concerned with ice buildup at the intersection of the common driveway and the town maintained way and wanted to be sure language was included that no water would flow onto the traveled way.
Donald Frydryk suggested amending the language to “no stormwater from the common driveway shall be allowed to cross into or flow over the traveled portion of the public way”.
Paul Hatch stated there is nothing in the proposed changes that prevents or limits the Planning Board from attaching conditions requiring specific surface treatment for the common driveways that are not over a 12% grade.
Donald Frydryk stated they proposed limits to the amount of common driveway over 12% to assure better drivability.
Paul Hatch moved to recommend to the Board of Selectmen that an article should be placed on the warrant for the Town meeting to amend the Monson Zoning Bylaws Section 6.21 Common Access Driveways as discussed a copy of the full text is attached to these minutes and incorporated therein.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Paul Hatch stated the change to the Estate Lot Bylaw relates solely to the grade of the driveway and proposes a waiver for the maximum 12% grade. The current estate lot bylaw does not have the provision for a waiver and it would seem appropriate to add a new section. The wording for the waiver would be the same as proposed for the common driveway bylaw waiver.
Paul Hatch moved to make the changes to Section 6.5 Single Family Dwellings on Estate Lot as discussed by adding a new section 6.5.12 waivers and amending the language of section 6.5.8 to include language to allow the special permit granting authority to grant a waiver under certain circumstances.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:10 Sandra Auclair 320 Boston Road West. Ms. Auclair submitted a written request for a waiver from the Site Plan Approval process for the addition of auto detailing in a building that she leases for a mobile glass service.
Ms. Auclair stated they wanted to utilize more fully the space they currently rent for a glass service. At the present time the service they provide is off site and they use the building to garage the vehicles they use for the mobile glass service. If they can add auto detailing it would allow them to more fully use the building during the day.
Paul Hatch questioned if there would be any liquid waste associated with the work?
Ms. Auclair stated the vehicles would be washed with soap and water.
Paul Hatch advised Ms. Auclair to contact the Board of Health because he believed regulations administered by that Board would affect the proposed business.
Craig Sweitzer questioned how many parking spaces would be available for employees and for vehicles waiting to be detailed etc.
Ms. Auclair stated there is no dedicated parking.
Paul Hatch stated he was familiar with the area and the building is set back from the road and there is ample space for parking.
Harold Leaming stated he made a site visit and the area to be used for the auto detailing is currently used for storage. He stated he would agree with Mr. Hatch that there is ample parking area.
Paul Hatch questioned if all of the work would be inside the building because there should be no detailing of cars outside. He questioned how many cars would be on the premises at any one time to be worked on?
Ms. Auclair stated she did not believe there would be more than six cars at any one time.
Craig Sweitzer stated there are no exterior changes to the building, the auto detailing is an expansion of the glass replacement business and viewed as a companion services. The applicant would be limited to six (6) vehicles waiting to be detailed or waiting to be picked up on the premises at any one time. This waiver does not absolve the applicant from the necessity of compliance with all rules and regulations of the Board of Health and other Town Boards and Departments.
Paul Hatch moved to waive the requirements of Section 7.4 Site Plan Approval with the conditions as stated and for the reasons stated.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Board received a written request from Allan Coolong for a waiver from Section 7.4 Site Plan Approval to replace the existing plate glass window in his commercial building with light panes and to install new brick face siding to the front and 6.6 feet of the left side of the property.
There is no change to the footprint of the building and the proposed changes are not substantial in nature.
Paul Hatch moved to waive the requirements of Section 7.4 of the Monson Zoning Bylaws to replace the plate glass window and add brick face siding with the following condition:
The property in question is currently empty and prior to locating a business at 246 Main Street the applicant shall make application to the Monson Planning Board for Site Plan Approval.
The scope of the work proposed is minor in nature and will not change the footprint of the existing building, or substantially change the exterior façade.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
The Board received copies of the working draft of a solar energy bylaw. The members will review the draft and schedule time at a future regular meeting to change and refine the language of the bylaw.
Harold Leaming informed the Board that he had advised the owner of C J’s Restaurant on Boston Road that he must stop construction and apply to the Planning Board for Site Plan Approval for the structural change he was making to the existing building. Work had commenced without permits and without a construction supervisors license.
8:40 Karen King moved to approve the minutes of March 15, 2010 as presented.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
Voting aye: Craig Sweitzer, Karen King and Tara Hengeveld.
Paul Hatch abstained.
The motion passed by majority vote.
Karen King moved to adjourn at 8:45 P.M.
Paul Hatch seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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