NEWTON PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES OF PUBLIC HEARING AND WORK SESSION
JULY 23, 2013
1. Call to Order: Chairman Barbara White called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. In attendance were: Chairman Barbara White; Vice Chairman Jim Doggett; Planning Board members Frank Gibbs and Fred Gabriel; Alternates Mary Allen, Roger Hamel, Jim Holland, and Sandra Estabrook; BOS ex-officio Charles Melvin; and Circuit Rider Planner Jennifer Rowden. Minutes were transcribed by Administrative Assistant Rick Milner.
2. 125 Development NH Corp. in Plaistow, NH requests a public hearing for a site plan review (site plan for Lot 27-4 Phase II construction) at the Southern New Hampshire Industrial Park commercial subdivision located on Puzzle Lane. The property is referenced as Tax Map 14, Block 1, Lot 27-4.
Matthew Leidner of Civil Design Group, LLC was present to represent the applicant.
Mr. Leidner presented to the Board a site plan for Phase II construction on Lot 27-4 within the Southern New Hampshire Industrial Park commercial subdivision located on Puzzle Lane. The property is zoned as light industrial/commercial. The proposed area of construction is undeveloped at the present time except for a septic system connected to Phase I of the development. The site plan proposes to construct the following:
- 6,080 sq. ft. commercial/industrial building with 11 parking spaces
- 91,000 sq. ft. commercial/industrial building with 158 parking spaces
- Storm water management areas
- Fire lane and berm in back of the larger building.
Mr. Leidner noted the following details associated with the proposed site plan:
- 116 parking spaces in front of the larger building would be constructed initially and 42 parking spaces on the side of the building would be constructed only if needed at a later time.
- Loading dock access was designed based on the maneuvering capabilities of large trucks
- Earthen berm behind the building will have pine trees planted to provide screening
- Building and pole lighting design will have downward lighting to reduce glare and prevent lighting spill over the property lines
- Multiple smaller storm water management areas designed instead of one larger area.
Melvin asked for details regarding the berm behind the larger building.
Leidner responded that there would be an earthen berm with pine trees planted along the top.
Melvin stated that, as proposed, the berm did not conform to the original intent of the ZBA decision requiring its construction.
Mr. Leidner stated that the intention of the plan is to conform to the ZBA decision. The ZBA decision states a berm to be constructed. The plan includes a berm. The ZBA decision does not have any specific height measurements or construction feature requirements attached to it.
Hamel noted his concern that the slope dropping into the storm water management areas may be dangerous and not stable.
Leidner responded that he will discuss the stability issue with the Town Engineer. The slope proposed is common in this type of construction. However, he will review the possibility of adding fencing around the storm water management areas to alleviate any safety concerns.
Estabrook asked if the existing conditions section of the site plan was accurate.
Leidner responded that the existing conditions page included in the site plan used an earlier survey of the property. Some aspects of the site may have changed. However, the changes are minor. The existing conditions are similar to what is depicted on that page of the site plan.
Doggett asked at what grade the larger building would be located.
Leidner responded that the first floor finished elevation would be located at 163.5 feet.
Doggett suggested that security measures should be added around the larger drop-offs associated with the storm water management areas.
Doggett asked if septic system associated with Phase I is being used for Phase II.
Leidner responded that the septic system constructed during Phase I is being used for the two buildings in Phase I and the smaller building in Phase II. The larger building in Phase II will have its own septic system.
Gibbs asked if the proper well radius was depicted on the site plan.
Leidner responded that he would research the well radius issue.
Melvin suggested that the Board not move forward with any approvals for this site plan until the specifics of the previous ZBA decision regarding this property are clarified.
Hamel asked if the shielding on the parking lot lighting was sufficient to prevent lighting intrusion on abutters do to the fact that the construction area may be higher in elevation than the abutters land.
Leidner, referring to luminaire data on the lighting design page of the site plan, responded that the lights will not spill lighting glare onto the abutting neighborhood.
White asked for abutter comments.
Nancy Koslowski of Sargent Woods stated her concerns that lighting, late hours of operation, and noise and odors associated with excessive trucking traffic will have a negative effect on abutters. She suggested that the Board review measures to alleviate these problems.
Jaimie Fitzpatrick of Walnut Farm Road stated his recollection of previous Planning Board and ZBA meetings regarding:
- Construction of a berm and vegetation to block view of Lot 27-4 site for Walnut Farm Road abutters
- Safety concerns for young children in the area regarding an excessive slope coming down from Walnut Farm Road property lines to the proposed Lot 27-4 construction site.
Lawrence Koslowski of Sargent Woods asked if there will be hazardous materials associated with any future business on the property.
Milner read the applicable zoning ordinance section which prohibits the warehousing of biological and chemical materials and biological and chemical manufacturing.
Mr. Koslowski asked if there would be 24 hour / 7 day a week operations allowed for any future business.
White stated that the Board will research the hours of operation issue.
Richard Guarente of Sargent Woods stated his concerns regarding possible hazardous waste on site and excessive noise and lighting associated with late night hours of operation and trucking traffic.
Nancy Harland of Sargent Woods stated her concerns regarding late hours of operation and possible pollution caused by trucking.
Doggett moved to continue the public hearing to August 13, 2013. Second by White. Motion carried unanimously.
3. Other Board business.
a. Planning Board office copier contract review.
Milner informed the Board that the maintenance contract for the copier in the Planning Board office was due to be renewed. He presented two maintenance plan options for the Board’s consideration.
Gibbs moved for the Planning Board to accept the office copier maintenance Platinum Plan with an annual charge of $445.00. Second by Gabriel. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Planning Board operating budget expenditures review.
Milner presented the second quarter operating budget expenditure report to the Board.
c. Acceptance of minutes.
Doggett moved to accept the minutes of the July 9 meeting. Second by Gibbs. Motion carried unanimously.
d. Manifests.
White presented a NPREA manifest to the Board. The invoices reflected payment to the Town Engineer for technical review of the Kinsley Corner development and abutter notices for July 9 public hearing.
Gibbs moved to pay the NPREA manifest in the amount of $385.52. Second by Doggett. Motion carried unanimously.
e. Correspondence.
Doggett informed the Board that a committee had been established to create a plan for proposed uses at the 8 Merrimac Road town facility. Administrative assistance was needed for the new committee. Since this project fits within the stated goals of the Planning Board’s responsibilities for developing a Master Plan and Capital Improvements Plan, he suggested that the Board donate funding for the administrative position from the Board’s operating budget.
The Board came to a unanimous consensus to set aside funds from the Board’s operating budget and donate these funds to support a portion of the administrative assistant expense for the Merrimac Road facility committee.
4. Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned at 8:48 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Rick Milner
Administrative Assistant
Newton Planning Board
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