These minutes are not verbatim – they are the secretary’s interpretation of what took place at the meeting. – Open Meeting Law, G.L. c. 30A § 22.
Board Members: Marc Garrett, Paul McAlduff, Larry Rosenblum, Bill Wennerberg, and Tim Grandy
Planning Board Alternate: Ken Buechs
Staff Members: Lee Hartmann and Valerie Massard
Recording Secretary: Eileen Hawthorne
Administrative Notes:
Minutes:
The Board approved the minutes* of December 19, 2011 as presented.
The Board recommended approval of ZBA 3656– David and Janice Rushforth, 53 & 55 Clifford Road, Map 47, Lots 36A-3 and 36A-4 for a Special Permit to waive the rear setback requirements.
The Board received the following documentation* for the review of this case:
Staff report dated January 5, 2012
Locus Map
Plan showing Lot Line Reconfiguration, dated December 1, 2011
Larry Rosenblum moved for the Board to approve the minutes of December 19, 2011 and to recommend approval of ZBA 3656; the vote was unanimous (5-0).
Marc Garrett recused himself from voting on the following Administrative Note:
B568 – Nicks Rock Road (Balboni)
Plan* and Covenant* Endorsement
Paul McAlduff moved to for the Board to endorse the covenant and subdivision plans for B568 – Nicks Rock Road (Balboni); the vote was (4-0) with Marc Garrett not participating.
Site Plan Review
Balboni, Mary B. Lane, Map 83, Lot 13-21
The Board received the following documentation* for the review of this case:
Staff report dated December 19, 2011
Locus Map and Photographs
Building elevation schematics
Site Plan
Marc Garrett recused himself from sitting on this review and joined the audience.
Bill Shaw, Associated Engineers, described the location of the property on Mary B Lane, within Camelot Park and reviewed the site plan which detailed the proposed landscaping, parking and building layout for a 100’x120’ warehouse with a 4,000 sq. ft. mezzanine and 28 parking spaces that would house a refrigeration company. Existing drainage and water stubs, pavement and sidewalks are already on-site. Oil and gas traps are located within the property for drainage and there is on-site septic system. Mr. Shaw noted that the site is relatively flat, therefore there would be very little grading required.
Jeff Metcalfe, Architect, presented the design for a pre-engineered structure that would be similar to existing buildings within the industrial park. The building façade would consist of vertical siding with a shallow pitched roof, and split faced block in the front. The color combination consists of beige/gray siding and the split faced block will be contrasting with dark brown aluminum windows.
Valerie Massard noted that the site backs up to the DPW’s vehicle maintenance barn and there is no screening between the properties. Ms. Massard also noted that there are no existing buildings on the opposite side of the cul-de-sac. She stated that the proposed building is consistent with existing buildings in the Camelot Industrial Park. Ms. Massard suggested that the trash receptacle/dumpster location should be shown on the plan and that the planting of Norway Maple trees be replaced with a species that is not on the State invasive species list.
Larry Rosenblum asked for an explanation on the proposed circulation within the site.
Mr. Shaw explained that the circulation has been designed to provide two access points for trucks: one would require the truck to travel around the building and back up to the loading dock and the other option would be to travel to the end of the cul-de-sac and back into the loading dock.
Larry Rosenblum moved for the Board to notify the Building Commissioner that the proposed building is acceptable and that the site plan complies with the minimum requirements of the zoning bylaw after the following points are addressed:
The trash receptacle should be shown on the plans and adequately screened from view with either plantings or decorative fencing.
The proposed tree plantings are unacceptable (Norway Maple is an invasive species). Another tree species which is native and non-invasive must be substituted. (A list of suggested/acceptable species is available in the Town of Plymouth Subdivision Rules and Regulations for reference.)
Prior to issuance of an occupancy permit:
- a Registered Professional Engineer must certify that the drainage system, driveways, curbing and parking areas have been installed in compliance with the Zoning By-law and the approved site plans.
- Compliance with ADA requirements must be documented.
- Lighting is to comply with the Dark Skies (Prevention of Light Pollution) Section of the Zoning Bylaw.
- Light poles should not exceed twelve feet in height.
The vote was unanimous (4-0).
Marc Garrett rejoined the Board.
Other Business:
“Topics not reasonably anticipated by the Chair 48 hours in advance of the meeting.”
Update
Trail Mapping
Valerie Massard and Malcolm MacGregor presented an update on trail mapping for bicycle and pedestrian paths and linkages throughout the Town.
The context of planning includes local, state and regional plans.
Local Connectivity Planning includes:
The ENSR Corridor Update which identifies Wishbone Wildlife Corridors as Myles Standish State Forest via Pine Hills to coast, Myles Standish State Forest to Ellisville Harbor and secondary corridors. The Rural Trails Concept Plan follows the ENSR Wishbone and identifies potential pedestrian trail links. The Plymouth Open Space Plan identifies future connections from Myles Standish via Pine Hills to coast, Myles Standish via Town Forest to downtown, Myles Standish to Ellisville Harbor and Center Hill Preserve, and Myles Standish to Cape Cod Canal. Other local plans include the Plymouth Comprehensive Plan and the Public Space Action Plan which focuses on the downtown area.
Planning and Implementation includes public input during meetings and hearings and Town Meeting action. Entities that would be involved include Community Preservation Committee, Planning Board, Open Space Committee, State Delegation and Agencies, Non-Profit partners, Village Center Steering Committees, Conservation Commission and Town Staff. The Town, through Town Meeting action and CPC and grant funding has already acquired several parcels of land for the creation of path connectivity, as has the State.
State and Federal goals are similar and include creating healthy communities, a “Complete Street” initiative, and creating safe routes to school for pedestrian and bicycles to schools. Local initiatives already implemented include bike racks that have been installed in the downtown area by PGDC; the Healthy Communities Initiative (Town of Plymouth and Jordan Hospital), creation of the Seaside Trail (North Plymouth), and outdoor tourism and recreational events initiated by Plymouth Outdoors (Chamber of Commerce).
In 2009, the State signed into law the Healthy Transportation Compact and Initiative which is focused on adopting best practices to increase efficiency to achieve positive health outcomes through the coordination of land use, transportation and public healthy policy. Existing State programs include MassDOT Project Development and Design Guide; Safe Routes to School; Transportation Enhancements; Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality; DPH Office of Healthy Communities which includes the programs Mass in Motion, DPH Municipal Wellness Grants, Communities Putting Prevention to Work Grants; Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act; and Leading by Example. State initiatives also include the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), Greenway Connections, and Bicycle Transportation Plan which includes an interactive map, and Phase 4
recommendations will eventually be included in the Regional TIP.
Regional Planning organizations include the Old Colony Planning Council, SRPEDD (SE Coast), Cape Cod Commission and MAPC (Greater Boston). Old Colony Planning Council has completed a Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity and Livability Study which has an interactive map. The Phase 1 study identifies levels of service for pedestrians and bicycles and the importance of carbon footprint reduction. The next steps include choosing routes for community bike networks, identifying “weak links” in bicycle or pedestrian networks, prioritize sites needing improvement, and evaluating alternative treatments during design (Phase 2 of 4).
Ms. Massard noted that many volunteers within the Town are working to identify gaps and show potential links for open space and pedestrian and bicycle paths.
Malcolm MacGregor that the existing Claire Saltonstall Bicycle Route which currently traverses the length of Long Pond Road and portions of Rte 3A is no longer conducive to bicycle traffic due to the volume of vehicular traffic. A relocation of the “Saltonstall” bike path could be accomplished by creating a path along Sandwich, Clifford and Jordan Roads, through Forges Field, the Town golf course up Bump Rock Rd to Myles Standish State Forest and then use the State Forest trails to Charge Pond Road. The relocated trail could then connect to the SRPEDD bike trail which comes across from Westport to the Bourne Bridge. The relocated bicycle trail would also provide safer pedestrian paths.
The Board was supportive of relocating or improving safety on the existing “Saltonstall” bicycle path and the efforts to connect the trail system throughout the Town.
Marc Garrett suggested involving the local bicycle clubs and bicycle shop owners in the process.
Marc Garrett reminded the Board that they would be meeting on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority for a public discussion on the 1820 Courthouse Reminder that the planning board will be meeting Wednesday with redevelopment regarding the future of the 1820 Courthouse.
Tim Grandy moved for the Board to adjourn at 7:55. p.m.; the vote was unanimous (5-0).
*On file with the Office of Planning and Development in project case files.
Respectfully Submitted,
Eileen Hawthorne Approved: January 23, 2012
Administrative Assistant
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