MONSON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES DECEMBER 16, 2014
MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Hatch, Kevin Haley & Tara Hengeveld.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Karen King & Craig Sweitzer
ALSO PRESENT: Dan Laroche, Town Planner
Leslie Duthie met with the Planning Board to discuss the list of acceptable plants that was included in the recently approved Commercial Development Landscaping bylaw. The Monson Tree Committee has used an expanded list for the street trees and back yard trees that are being replanted due to tornado damage. The Committee felt the expanded list provided a greater diversity and provided a good mix of street trees and ornamental trees.
Paul Hatch questioned if the list was for use on public property and sub-divisions.
Dan Laroche stated the PVPC provided the original list maybe that list should be removed from the Bylaw and instead make the expanded list of trees a rule in the Planning Board regulations.
Leslie Duthie stated they were not looking to put fruit trees along Main Street, rather to have a greater variety to choose from making sure they were appropriate for a particular location. The list contains mostly native species.
Leslie Duthie stated switching hats she would like to discuss the Open Space Plan. The plan in place now must be updated to allow the Town to continue to receive grants from the State. She stated the Draft Open Space Plan is not too dissimilar from the one currently in place, there are new maps, updated facts and figures, and the goals and objectives are listed. The plan will carry the Town through 2021. Leslie Duthie stated she was looking for a letter of support from the Planning Board.
Dan Laroche stated this was not a binding plan, there are no zoning changes in this document it is mainly to allow the Town to continue to apply for and receive grants.
Leslie Duthie stated the goals have not changed, the biggest change is the promotion of agricultural activities. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission have done a lot of work on the draft.
Kevin Haley stated he would like to read the document.
Paul Hatch and Tara Hengeveld agreed they would like to read the document before writing a letter of support.
Dan Laroche questioned if the Board would have a letter for signature at the next meeting?
Kevin Haley stated that Craig Sweitzer and Karen King should be given the opportunity to read the document.
Tara Hengeveld stated she would take the plan and return it to the office for the next Board member.
7:30 Paul Hatch convened a public hearing for a Special Permit for an Estate Lot on property located on Cote Road, identified on Assessors Map 053, Parcel 002A owned by Evan & Karen Carrara and read the legal notice as it appeared the Republican newspaper the weeks of December 1, and 8, 2014.
Evan Carrara stated he applied and was approved for an Estate Lot on this property in 2007 but the housing market tanked and they did not move forward with anything, now they want to move forward with the project. The plan is exactly the same as 2007 and the biggest concern for the Board back then was the run off from the driveway.
Tara Hengeveld stated since 2007 the Town now has a stormwater management bylaw.
Paul Hatch stated it is a long driveway with a culvert but the plan does not show where the water goes from there.
Evan Carrara stated the land is flat.
Paul Hatch stated his concern that the collected water would be conveyed down to the road and where does it go from there, onto the Town road?
Evan Carrara stated the land is flat it will evaporate into the soil.
Paul Hatch stated the plan shows a 5% grade, the water will flow toward the road.
Dan Laroche suggested a level spreader at the bottom of the driveway. He questioned the Town requirements for stormwater management on an estate lot?
Paul Hatch stated he did not believe that stormwater management came into play. In 2007 he abstained from voting on this project because of his concern regarding water running onto a Town road, and looking at the plan, and seeing that nothing has changed he has the same concerns and will again abstain from voting.
Dan Laroche stated it is up to the Highway Department to say if this is adequate or not.
He questioned if a copy of the application was sent to the Highway Surveyor, John Morrell?
The secretary stated a copy of the application along with a copy of the plan was distributed to the Highway Department, Fire Department and Police Department.
Kevin Haley stated in order for the project to be approved four members of the Board must vote to grant the Special Permit.
Tara Hengeveld stated she would not be able to attend the regularly scheduled meeting of January 20, 2015.
Following a discussion between the members present and the applicants it was decided to re-schedule the regular meeting of the Planning Board to Tuesday January 13, 2015. The two absent members will be contacted to make sure the Board has all members present.
Evan Carrara submitted a written request to continue the hearing for an Estate Lot on Cote Road to January 13, 2015.
Tara Hengeveld moved to approve the minutes of November 18, 2014 as presented.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
8:00 Tara Hengeveld moved to adjourn.
Kevin Haley seconded the motion.
It was so voted, unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda A. Hull
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