These minutes are not verbatim – they are the secretary’s interpretation of what took place at the meeting. – Open Meeting Law – Section III.
Board Members: Marc Garrett, Paul McAlduff, Larry Rosenblum, Tim Grandy, and Bill Wennerberg
Staff Members: Lee Hartmann and Valerie Massard
Recording Secretary: Eileen Hawthorne
Administrative Notes:
Minutes:
June 14, 2010
B560 – Hillside Estates – Endorsement of Plan and Covenant
Form A Plans:
A4368 – B563 - Rosemont/Howard VOSD, Map 46, Lots 42, 43 74-80, A-1, B, C-1, and a portion of 19A – Creation of Lots C-2 (17,285 sf), C-3 (14,019 sf), C-4 (12,180 sf), C-5 (6,882 sf), 171 (6,400 sf), 172, (28,587 sf), 173 (17038 sf), 174 (7,802 sf), 175 (2,822 sf), 19B (55,278 sf) and lot line definition of Lots A-1 (34,656 sf), B (22,470 sf)
A4369 – Michael D Hatton, George R. Holmes Jr. and Eugene D Cobb, Black Cat Road, Map 90, Lots 22A (12.87A), 24 (4.27A) and 39 (40A) – Lot line adjustment to create lots 24-1 (4.63A), 22C (12.6A) and 39-1 (39.4A)
Paul McAlduff moved to approve the minutes of June 14, 2010 as presented; approve the endorsement of the plan and covenant for B560 – Hillside Estates; and determine that the following Form A plan is entitled to endorsement - Form A plan A4368; the vote was unanimous (5-0) on the endorsement of B560 and A4368 with the vote (4-0-1) with Bill Wennerberg in abstention on the minutes of June 14, 2010.
Paul McAlduff moved to determined that the following Form A plan is entitled to endorsement: A4369; the vote was (4-0-1) with Marc Garrett in abstention.
Committee Appointment
Industrial/Commercial/Office Land Study Committee
Jim Saunders was unanimously (5-0) appointed as the Planning Board’s citizen at-large to the Industrial/Commercial/Office Land Study Committee.
Presentation
“Firewise” State Forest Fire Patrolman
Mike Marquhardt, District fire Patrolman, presented a program entitled “Firewise Communities/USA”. The program encourages communities to become a recognized Firewise Community by completing an on-line request for contact by a Firewise representative; by holding a site visit with the representative and local fire officials; and by recruiting citizens to form a Firewise board or committee. The board or committee would review and accept a site assessment evaluation and create a plan with area specific solutions to its WUI fire issues; implement local solutions following a specific schedule; apply for Federal recognition as a Firewise community; and annually renew the recognition status. Mr. Marquardt encouraged homeowners to take small steps in protecting their homes from wildfire. The steps include clearing
the build up of pine needles, bark mulch, and leaves three feet around the base of the house; create a thirty-foot fire free area on all sides of the home; clear gutter of leaves and debris; trim any limbs on trees hanging over the house; “limb up” trees around the house by removing lower limbs that are 10 to 15 feet from the ground; use metal flashing at all connections points of structure attached to the house; clear trees and shrubs of dead material and keep them pruned; space trees and shrubs far enough apart to slow the spread of an approaching wildfire; choose deciduous trees rather than evergreens when planting close to the house; install glass skylights; store firewood away from the house; remove excess vegetation along roads and remove chipped wood immediately after cutting; use non-flammable (Class A) roofing materials; plant native wildflowers and fire-resistant plants; and keep property well irrigated. He also suggested that the Planning Board
encourage developers to use “Firewise” construction methods including using fire resistant construction and landscaping materials; design the location of the structure to reduce fuel exposure; and install sprinkler systems.
The Board was supportive of the program.
Marc Garrett asked if the state’s environmental agencies are supportive of the program, especially in areas that are environmentally sensitive.
Mr. Marqhardt replied that Tim Simmons form Natural Heritage has been consulted about the program in another town and was supportive of that project, but DEP has not reviewed the program. He again encouraged the individual homeowner to take small steps to protect their homes.
Lee Hartmann presented a map of 15,000 acres in Plymouth that burned in 1957. If a similar fire was to occur today, approximately one billion dollars of building would be in the fire’s path.
The board took a five minute break.
Site Plan Review (cont. from 6/14)
51 Obery Street
William Shaw, Associated Engineers, presented a revised site plan for a medical office building at 51 Obery Street. Mr. Shaw presented the differences from the previous plan in which the building has been moved further away from the street; the parking spaces have been reduced to 9 ft which eliminates the request for relief of parking requirements; the drainage has been changed to locate the rain garden at the rear of the property with the leaching facility under the pavement and the landscape plan has been revised accordingly.
Jeff Metcalfe presented the architectural changes; the boxed out windows were increased in size and include three windows instead of single windows. An eyebrow dormer will be added to two sides of the structure; the roofline has been revised, and the rafters have been extended. The color scheme of the building include a medium grey roof; light grey siding, white windows and trim and green accents on the bump outs and upper portion of the façade.
The Board was pleased with the changes.
Marc Garrett asked if there was any possibility for intercommunication of traffic between other projects in the area.
Mr. Shaw stated that if the abutting property were to change to commercial, the parking fields are lined up to allow for cross traffic.
Mr. Garrett requested that the potential of a parking connection be noted on the plans.
Larry Rosenblum moved for the Board to notify the Building Commissioner that the site plan complies with the Planning Board that the proposed change complies with the design standards of Section G and the minimum requirements of the zoning bylaw after the following issues are addressed:
The site plans have been altered, and shall conform to those presented at the meeting with a , revision date of June 15, 2010.
Signage is not yet designed, and shall conform or require a waiver per the OSOD bylaw.
Prior to issuance of a building permit: (1) the landscaping plan will be revised to reflect the altered parking and driveway layout to match the plan shown at the Planning Board meeting (attached hereto); (2) a note shall be added to the site plan noting the intention and capacity for the interconnectivity of this parking area to the sites to both east and west should they convert to a commercial/office use, allowing the use of existing ways for ingress/egress and thereby reducing the number of curb cuts on Obery Street.
The architecture of the building shall reflect the changes made by Mr. Metcalf, dated June 21, 2010.
Building materials/colors shall generally conform to that shown at the Planning Board meeting: Blue-gray roofing; grey clapboard siding, almond/off-white trim; and green accent areas around the windows. Mr. Metcalf verbally, and in plans displayed at the Planning Board meeting, described the exterior siding materials as shingles and clapboard for the proposed materials – the building’s exterior shall consist of suitable material, such as cedar shingles and siding or cement-board (such as hardi-plank) suitable for the neighborhood and in keeping with the design standards for the Obery Street Overlay District.
Final plantings and screening/ ornamental fencing shall reflect the intent, caliper, size, spacing and variety (flowering, seasonality, mature growth, evergreen/deciduous mix, etc.) as depicted on the Preliminary Planting Plan. The selection and layout of all proposed plant material shall be designated by, and bear the registration stamp of, a landscape architect registered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and proof of such shall be provided to the Building Commissioner prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
All trash receptacles and areas to be utilized by service/delivery vehicles shall be visually and, to the extent reasonably feasible, acoustically buffered from adjoining residences by one or more of the following; mounding, fencing, and planting. Any visual screening shall maintain a minimum of 75% of its effectiveness year round.
Walkway materials shall be pervious.
The parking lot and drive area, when added to the building area, shall not exceed 55% of total lot area, as per Section 205-75 of the Bylaw, the OSOD Overlay District design guidelines, Table 205-73.
The vote was unanimous (5-0).
Presentation
Courthouse Consortium/Plymouth Redevelopment Authority (PRA)
Dean Rizzo presented an update on the PRA progress toward the development of a reuse plan for the Courthouse and the courthouse corridor. The immediate goal is to stabilize and preserve the existing building while exploring the potential of a mixed use development. A Historic Survey report is proposed to analyze what portions of the corridor are historic and their conditions. A preservation feasibility and reuse study is proposed to develop guidelines for preservation. Design specifications are needed for fire suppression and security systems. Mr. Rizzo stated that the County Commissioner’s building is currently maintained and occupied by the commissioners. The project has been approved as a 43D expedited permit site which will be eligible for grant funding. The next steps to preserve and
adaptively reuse the buildings include the following:
Explore corridor redevelopment opportunities and process;
Create community supported concept design plans and financial models;
Establish preservation, design and development guidelines;
Create a strategic marketing plan and final redevelopment RFP;
Develop architectural reuse plans for the courthouse;
Identify opportunities for a public private redevelopment partnership; and
Identify and apply for various grants.
Paul McAlduff noted that a fire suppression system for the buildings could easily run in excess of $250,000 and that to bring the building into ADA compliance and construction of structured parking would also be expensive.
Tim Grandy noted that the type of sprinkler system (wet vs. dry) will depend on whether the heating system is being replaced. Mr. Grandy asked what types of grants will be applied for.
Mr. Rizzo stated that they will apply for a combination of grants and low interest bonding loans. The grants will include intermodal transportation; PWED; Mass Development; historic preservation, etc.
The Board wished the PRA and the Courthouse Consortium continued good luck with their endeavors to preserve a valuable piece of Plymouth’s history.
Tim Grandy moved to adjourn at 8:47 p.m.; the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Respectfully Submitted,
Eileen M. Hawthorne Approved: June 28, 2010
Administrative Assistant
| 
