MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES JUNE 17, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Craig Sweitzer, Paul Hatch, Kevin Haley and Tara Hengeveld.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen King.
7:00 The Board endorsed an ANR Plan for Lake Paradise Association Inc. for Parcel 2 on Lakeside Drive. Parcel 2 is NOT A BUILDING LOT and is conveyed from Ruth E. Pederzoli and The Robert and Doris Moran Family Trust to the Lake Paradise Association Inc.
The Board denied endorsement of an ANR plan for Lake Paradise Association Inc. for Parcel 1 on Lakeside Drive. Parcel 1 is NOT A BUILDING LOT and is denied endorsement because the plan shows two parcels of land that are identified as Parcel 1. The Board determined that it could be misconstrued as to which Parcel 1 was to be transferred.
7:15 Craig Sweitzer reconvened a Public Hearing for Site Plan Approval and a Special Permit for Storm Water Management for Tree House Brewing Co at 160 East Hill Road.
Craig Sweitzer stated at the hearing held on May 20, 2014 the Board identified the areas of concern and the hearing was continued to address:
- Way to address the remote parking either creating parking on same side of the road as the proposed brewery, or a plan that shows how patrons will traverse safely from one side of East Hill Road to the other.
- Lighting plan.
- Signage.
- A way to dissipate the energy coming from the overflow of the detention basin.
- The manufacture and distribution plan.
Roger Woods stated Tree House Brewing Co. submitted a revised plan that shows an 18’ x 18’ turnaround area that includes signage prohibiting parking in that space. The plan also shows a 50’ x 10’ stone rip rap level spreader to address the Boards’ concerns with the overflow from the detention basin. A lighting plan has been prepared and a depiction of the proposed signage.
Nathan Lanier stated the lighting is dark sky approved and as shown on the plan there will be four along the driveway, five on the building and two at the entryway. The plan also shows the location of the proposed signage. The business sign will be located at the entrance to the driveway.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the lighting would remain on all the time?
Nathan Lanier stated the lights would be on during operating hours and when closed motion lights.
Paul Hatch stated for clarity the operating hours proposed by Tree House Brewing Co., is 11:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Monday through Saturday during those times the normal lights would be on after 8:30 P.M. motion lights would be used for security.
Kevin Haley stated the lighting plan and retail area of the brewery are not on the site plan.
Nathan Lanier stated when the plan was prepared they had not made a definitive decision to put the retail operation in the new building, now that decision has been made.
Kevin Haley stated everything should be on the site plan.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the building footprint would stay the same when the retail side of the business is moved into the new building.
Roger Wood stated the building footprint would not change. He stated a total of 30 parking spaces have been provided on the same side of the road as the new building, 18 parking spaces will be located along the driveway 9 on each side with a turnaround area.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the construction details of the driveway?
Roger Woods stated it would be a gravel driveway with a total 30 parking spaces, 18 spaces along the driveway and 11 spaces behind the new building and 1 handicap space.
Craig Sweitzer read a memo from Town Planner Dan Laroche dated June 17, 2014 with comments of his review of the revised site plan dated 4/8/2014 and revised 5/28/2014.
The Board should make a determination that 30 spaces will be adequate to meet the needs of the proposed farmhouse brewery.
It is not clear how cars that are parked along the driveway are supposed to exit the property. There is no clear turnaround area shown on the plan.
There is no loading areas shown on the plan or doors on the building to load and unload materials/product.
The location of the entrances should be shown on the plan along with any proposed sidewalks. This will be needed to located designated handicap space(s).
How is the run off from the roof of the proposed brewery building being handled?
Craig Sweitzer questioned where the loading and unloading doors were?
Roger Woods stated there is a 12’ x 12’ overhead door for loading and unloading the product with a personnel door next to it and another entry door into the retail space.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the loading area was in conflict with the parking?
Nathan Lanier stated a box truck is the largest vehicle they use for the business.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the landscaping and sidewalks?
Roger Woods stated the area is wooded now and they would be keeping it wooded.
Craig Sweitzer stated the parking is all on the same side of road, details of the signage and lighting has been submitted that only leaves a description the brewery and distribution.
Nathan Lanier stated a floor plan of the brewery has been submitted and there is no formal distribution. Refillable growlers are purchased and refilled, there is no consumption on the property other than that allowed under the regulations for a farm brewery which is 2 oz. tasters. The new building will allow Tree House Brewing Co. to can its product.
Craig Sweitzer questioned who issues the licenses?
Dean Rohan stated the Massachusetts ABCC.
Paul Hatch stated if the Board were to approve the site plan this evening it would be subject to receiving plans reflecting the changes that includes the lighting plan, signage,
layout of the building and location of entrances to the building added to the plan. He stated this has the potential to be a very successful business, just a couple of weeks ago there were over 100 cars at a special event and East Hill Road was not built to accommodate that kind of traffic. Mr. Hatch suggested for Tree House Brewing Co. liability they consider having staff out in visible clothing to control traffic when they have a special event.
Craig Sweitzer stated he wanted to see a plan that included everything on the plan in a coherent manner.
Paul Hatch stated a note should be added to the plan that states no backing out would be allowed onto East Hill Road.
7:40 Paul Hatch moved to close the public hearing.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
7:40 Paul Hatch moved to grant Site Plan Approval subject to receiving a coherent set of plans that include the lighting, signage, building plan that includes location of entrances to the building and loading and a note on the plan prohibiting vehicles backing out onto East Hill Road.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so vote unanimous.
7:50 Craig Sweitzer convened a public hearing to review a petition for Site Plan Approval from James Harvey for property located at 246 Main Street. The petitioner proposes to operate an automotive repair and service garage. The property is zoned Central Commercial and is owned by Allan Coolong. The public hearing was advertised in the Republican newspaper the weeks of June 2, & 9, 2014.
James Harvey made a presentation to the Board stating he proposed to open a small automotive repair shop Monday through Friday operating hours 7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. The plan submitted with the application shows potential parking spaces, however it is not the intent to utilize all of the potential spaces in the front of the building. The parking in the back of the building would be used to avoid backing out onto Main Street.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the access to the property was from Main Street or Hampden Avenue?
James Harvey stated the access is from Main Street.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the size of the garage?
Allan Coolong stated he did not have the dimensions but the building has two bays and an office.
Craig Sweitzer questioned if the repairs would be in the building?
James Harvey stated yes, he would be working on his own and everything would be contained within the building. There are only two bays and one person working on the vehicles so parking would not be an issue.
Paul Hatch questioned if every car on the property would be a registered motor vehicle?
James Harvey stated they would unless a vehicle is brought in to be repaired to be put back on the road.
Paul Hatch noted a surveyed plan was submitted with the application.
Craig Sweitzer stated that no changes have been proposed to the exterior of the building.
Paul Hatch questioned how the waste oil and auto antifreeze would be handled?
James Harvey stated it would be stored within the building in five gallon drums and taken to an approved facility in Stafford Springs Connecticut for disposal.
Paul Hatch questioned if any other signs were proposed other than one on the building?
James Harvey state no.
Craig Sweitzer questioned the proposed lighting?
James Harvey stated he was not adding any lights.
Allan Coolong stated there are security cameras on the property.
Jennifer Murphy 9 Hampden Avenue stated she is an abutter and was glad to see that the building was going to be used.
Paul Hatch stated it would appear that no changes are proposed to the building or the site.
Paul Hatch moved to close the public hearing at 8:10 P.M.
Craig Sweitzer seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Kevin Haley moved to grant Site Plan Approval based on the plan and information provided to the Board.
Paul Hatch seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Craig Sweitzer stated approval from the Planning Board was for the Site Plan and other approvals may be necessary.
8:25 Paul Hatch moved to accept the minutes of May 20, 2014 as presented.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
The Board will have difficulty meeting a quorum for the July meeting because Tara Hengeveld, Craig Sweitzer and possibly Karen King will not be available.
Tara Hengeveld stated she would not be available for the August meeting.
Paul Hatch moved to cancel the meeting of July 15, 2014 subject to the Board receiving any time sensitive applications.
8:30 Paul Hatch moved to adjourn.
Tara Hengeveld seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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