Meeting Minutes
Planning Board
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Newbury Town Hall
Members Present: Kathleen Pearson, Chair; Linda McCamic; John O’Connell; David Powell; 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 D. Powell to approve the minutes of July 18, 2012 as written. The motion passed with a vote of three in favor (O’Connell, Pearson, and Powell) and two abstentions (L. McCamic and J. Weis, who were not present at that meeting).
B. 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 for further informal discussion of a proposed two-lot subdivision at 245 High Road. The Board discussed observations made during a site visit held on August 30, including existing drainage issues and the likely impact of the roadway and stormwater management design on existing trees along the south edge of the property. K. Pearson noted that two significant waivers were being requested – one for the length of roadway (1,200 ft. instead of 500 ft.) and one for the width of the right-of-way (24 ft. instead of 50 ft.) – and asked how these waivers would be in the public interest or benefit the environment. L. Mead and J. Hargreaves presented changes
that had been made to the plan to address these concerns. Even with the proposed changes, the Board members concluded that the potential negative impact of the development was significant and did not feel they could encourage the applicant to go forward with completion of the design.
C. Site Plan Review Application – 101 Newburyport Turnpike:
Alan Roscoe of Hancock Associates appeared on behalf of Angelo Ciardiello, ERA Equipment, to file a Site Plan Review Application for a proposed contractor’s yard at 101 Newburyport Turnpike. The Board requested that Mr. Ciardiello come to the next meeting to provide more information about his operation, prior to the public hearing.
Motion: A motion was made by J. Weis and seconded by J. O’Connell to accept the Site Plan Review Application of Angelo Ciardiello, ERA Equipment, for the property at 101 Newburyport Turnpike. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion: A motion was made by J. O’Connell and seconded by J. Weis to hold the public hearing for the Site Plan Review Application for 101 Newburyport Turnpike on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 7:45 p.m. at the Newbury Town Hall. The motion passed unanimously.
D. Associate Planning Board Seat:
George Morse of 11 Colby Lane expressed interest in the vacant Associate Planning Board Member position and met with the Board to answer any questions the members might have about his background and experience.
Motion: A motion was made by J. Weis and seconded by J. O’Connell to recommend that the Selectmen appoint George Morse of 11 Colby Lane to fill the vacant Associate Planning Board Member seat for a one-year term. The motion passed unanimously.
E. Colby Lane – Road Acceptance:
The Colby Village Condominium Association is scheduled to meet on August 4, 2012 to vote to authorize the Trustees to request that the Selectmen place a new article on the Warrant for the Fall Special Town Meeting asking the Town to accept Colby Lane as a public way. Language for the vote and procedure for the Warrant request were discussed.
F. Proposed Zoning Amendments for Fall Town Meeting:
Motion: A motion was made by L. McCamic and seconded by J. Weis to hold the public hearing regarding the zoning amendments being proposed for the Fall Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, September 19, 2012, at 7:30 p.m. at the Newbury Town Hall. The motion passed unanimously.
G. New Business:
M. Taylor reported that she has been working on the RFPs for the sale of the Woodbridge School and the Yellow School and has started research for development of a Solar Energy By-Law.
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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