Meeting Minutes
Planning Board
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Newbury Town Hall
Members Present: Kathleen Pearson, Chair; John O’Connell; David Powell
Members Absent: Linda McCamic; John Weis
Staff Present: Martha Taylor, Town Planner
Chairman Pearson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
A. Meeting Minutes:
Motion: A motion was made by J. O’Connell and seconded by K. Pearson to approve the minutes of the July 10, 2012 joint meeting with the Selectmen as written. The motion passed with a vote of two in favor (O’Connell and Pearson) and one abstention (D. Powell, who was not present at that meeting).
Motion: A motion was made by D. Powell and seconded by J. O’Connell to approve the minutes of June 6, 2012, June 20, 2012, and June 27, 2012 as written. The motion passed unanimously.
B. ANR – 11 Lunt Street/7 Central Street – Lot Line Change:
M. Taylor presented an ANR prepared by Bob Grasso of Engineering Land Services LLC for a lot line change between 11 Lunt Street (the Yellow School) and 7 Central Street (Byfield Town Hall) in preparation for the sale of the Yellow School.
Motion: A motion was made by D. Powell and seconded by J. O’Connell to endorse the ANR for the lot line change shown on “Plan of Land located in Newbury, Massachusetts, Lot 1A, 2A & Parcel A, Drainage Easement A & B, 11 Lunt St. & 7 Central St.,” dated June 14, 2012 and prepared by Engineering Land Services, LLC for the Town of Newbury. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: A motion was made by J. O’Connell and seconded by D. Powell to waive the filing fee for the ANR. The motion passed unanimously.
C. Proposed Subdivision at 245 High Road:
Lisa Mead of Blatman, Bobrowski and Mead, LLC, and John Hargreaves of Engineering Land Services, LLC, appeared before the Board to address concerns brought up at their first meeting with the Planning Board on January 18, 2012, regarding this proposed project. Concerns discussed at that time included the proposed width and length of the roadway and the T turn-around, all of which would require waivers. Ms. Mead noted that she had met with Newbury’s Board of Fire Engineers, who also expressed concern about the width of the roadway and the T turn-around, as well as the bearing capacity of the roadway (it must be able to support the weight of the fire trucks). She said the plan has been revised to show a 20’ wide road ending in a cul-de-sac which meets the diameter requirements
of Newbury’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Discussion ensued regarding drainage and stormwater management and the condition of the existing driveway. Jennifer and Glen DeArmond, abutters, noted that there is one area where water drains onto their field and the driveway frequently becomes impassable and said they would like to make sure that drainage issues are properly addressed in any roadway design. The Board members agreed that a site visit should be conducted to observe existing conditions before discussing the project further.
D. Wilshire Road (24-28 Rolfes Lane) Subdivision – Request for Lot Release:
M. Taylor read a request from Mark DePiero, dated July 18, 2012, to release six lots – Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 – from the Restrictive Covenant dated November 29, 2011 now that the underground utilities and binder course have been installed.
Motion: A motion was made by J. O’Connell and seconded by D. Powell to release Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8 from the Restrictive Covenant, dated November 29, 2011, for the Wilshire Road (24-28 Rolfes Lane) Subdivision, per Mark DePiero’s written request dated July 18, 2012. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Colby Lane Road Acceptance:
The Colby Village Condominium Association Trustees will submit a request to the Selectmen that the Colby Lane road acceptance be placed on the Warrant for the Fall Town Meeting. Proposed Warrant language is to be sent to Town Counsel for review.
F. Proposed Zoning Amendments for Fall Town Meeting:
The Board reviewed the special permit questions that were discussed with the Selectmen at the July 10, 2012, joint meeting and agreed that they should be addressed at the Spring Town Meeting, rather than the Fall, except for changing “Electric power generation/distribution” to Permitted by Special Permit from the Selectmen (SPS) in all districts, to allow, in particular, for electric energy alternatives such as solar and water power.
Motion: A motion was made by D. Powell and seconded by J. O’Connell to submit the following proposed zoning amendment to the Board of Selectmen for referral back to the Planning Board for public hearing:
- Change “Electric power generation/distribution” under Industrial Uses in all districts to SPS (permitted by Special Permit from the Selectmen).
The motion passed unanimously.
G. 101 Newburyport Turnpike – Site Plan Review:
The Board informally reviewed a draft site plan for a potential Site Plan Review application for a proposed contractor’s yard at 101 Newburyport Turnpike.
On a motion made by J. O’Connell and seconded by D. Powell, the meeting was adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martha Taylor
Town Planner
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