MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES DECEMBER 18, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Kevin Haley, Paul Hatch, Tara Hengeveld, Craig Sweitzer and Karen King
The Board endorsed an ANR Plan for Wayne & Laurie Evans, East Hill Road.
Dan Laroche Disaster Recovery Manager stated at the November Planning Board meeting the Board decided to change one of the parcels at 110 Main Street from Residential Village to Central Commercial. The parcel to be changed is the small two acre parcel at the front of the property. The parcel in the rear that has athletic fields will be left Residential Village. The Police Station and Town Offices can be built on a parcel zoned Central Commercial. The setback is 20 feet and that would work for the Building Committee. The properties on either side of 110 Main Street are zoned Central Commercial.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if a survey would be done?
Mr. Laroche stated a survey would be done but would probably not be ready by the time the Planning Board has to hold a public hearing for the change. That should not be a problem because the parcels are on separate deeds and a description can be done by the deed meets and bounds. Mr. Laroche stated he researched Towns that he thought were similar to Monson some towns do not have a minimum setback others like Belchertown have a minimum and maximum in the Central Commercial district and Greenfield has no setback requirements.
Paul Hatch stated Easthampton has some interesting parking requirements. “No off street parking required for buildings built before 1973, 25% expansion or new buildings must meet parking requirements.
Mr. Laroche stated there could be flexibility in the bylaws with reductions for parking requirements through a special permit with the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if there would be any issues with parking for the new building?
Mr. Laroche stated no because the building is to be constructed on the same lot and it is the same use.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the Board of Selectmen were responsible for moving the zone change forward?
Mr. Laroche stated the Planning Board would hold the public hearing. He questioned if the Board wanted to consider moving any other bylaw changes forward?
Craig Sweitzer questioned how the board felt about parking?
Mr. Laroche stated there would have to be some flexibility with parking.
Paul Hatch suggested the rear and side yards.
Craig Sweitzer stated he believed the side yard was valuable land and if parking was confined to the rear and side yards it would shrink the width of a proposed building and may make some parcels un-buildable.
Paul Hatch stated the green space would not be included in the setback.
Craig Sweitzer stated there should be some uniformity if there is to be a landscaped town green.
Paul Hatch stated there should be landscaping standards.
Dan Laroche agreed there should be landscaping standards and there should also be standards for sight distance issues.
Paul Hatch stated he liked the idea of no off street parking requirements for buildings constructed prior to 1973.
Karen King stated she liked the idea of allowing a 25% expansion of an existing building without requiring additional parking.
Kevin Haley stated he could see problems if a business went from a low intensity use to a much higher intensity use without increasing parking.
Paul Hatch stated that would be the business owners’ function to find parking so that his/her business prospers.
Karen King questioned handicap parking?
Paul Hatch stated he believed that should be left to the Building Inspector.
Kevin Haley stated logic would lead one to believe that a business owner would work on parking but there are going to be those who will just ignore it.
Paul Hatch stated then the business would fail.
Craig Sweitzer stated the old bowling alley building is a perfect example, a big building with no parking.
Karen King stated when the bowling alley was at its most popular parking along Main Street was crazy.
Kevin Haley stated he remembered it well and that was what he would like to avoid.
Dan Laroche stated there must be some flexibility for existing buildings if the Town wants to encourage reuse of the buildings.
Dan Laroche questioned what the Board would like to see with regard to parking etc.?
Tara Hengeveld suggested he put something into draft form and get it to the Board members before the January meeting.
Dan Laroche stated PVPC are supposed to be working on a mixed use bylaw.
Paul Hatch questioned who was contacting the property owners?
Dan Laroche stated he believed Ed Harrison was working on that.
Craig Sweitzer stated he was not available for the January meeting.
Karen King and Tara Hengeveld stated they would not be available for the February meeting.
Paul Hatch and Kevin Haley stated they would not be available the March meeting.
Karen King stated she would not be available for the April meeting.
Tara Hengeveld moved to accept the minutes of November 27, 2012 as presented.
Paul Hatch seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
8:15 Paul Hatch is the Planning Board representative on the Monson Developmental Reuse Committee and reported on the public meeting to consider the type of uses that residents of Monson and Palmer would like to see.
Mr. Hatch stated the next meeting is scheduled for January 16, 2013. At the last meeting it was evident that what residents of both Towns did not want to see was an institutional use such as a jail. The most preferred uses were academic uses, trade school, satellite college or university etc. The next step is a study to look at the market. Mr. Hatch stated he believed that whatever was proposed for the property it would be marketed in pieces, not as one whole parcel.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if it would be sold privately?
Paul Hatch stated the Town has to rezone the property to whatever use is decided. An academic use maybe a mixed use all of the property is considered marketable.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if he understood correctly that the property would be broken up into sellable parcels?
Paul Hatch stated there are buildings the Town may want, for instance the gymnasium is fairly new.
Kevin Haley questioned what was happening with the conservation land?
Paul Hatch stated the acreage down by power plant is agriculture use and there is a conservation restriction on some of the acreage but the vast majority of the developed site will be sold with the understanding that the Town would rezone the property.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if anything looked realistic?
Paul Hatch stated on the surface the proposed uses would work but the infrastructure is partially destroyed. The State has put concrete in the manholes on the property so if someone wanted to use the system it will be a major, major expense. The State has also turned off all the heat and sprinkler systems.
Paul Hatch stated it was a positive meeting and it was good to see residents of both Palmer and Monson in attendance.
8:30 Paul Hatch moved to adjourn.
Karen King seconded the motion.
It was so voted unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
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