Salem Planning Board
Minutes of Meeting
March 5, 2009
A regular meeting of the Salem Planning Board was held on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 312, Third Floor, at 120 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts.
Those present were: Chuck Puleo, Nadine Hanscom, Gene Collins, Tim Kavanaugh, Christine Sullivan, Tim Ready, Dave Weiner. Absent: John Moustakis, Pam Lombardini. Also present were: Danielle McKnight, Staff Planner and Stacey Dupuis, Clerk.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the February 5, 2009 meeting were reviewed.
There being no comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Nadine Hanscom to accept the minutes, seconded by Dave Weiner and approved (7-0).
Public Hearing- Personal Wireless Service Facilities Special Permit- Omnipoint Communications, Inc. (a wholly owned subsidiary of T-Mobile USA, Inc.) 181 North Street (Map 27, Lot 1200. Attorney Scott Lacy – The proposed project includes the installation of six (6) antennas on the roof of the existing condominium building and ancillary radio equipment cabinets located within a ground-level fenced leased area. Attorney Scott Lacy
As requested at the last Planning Board meeting, Attorney Lacy presented photos to Board members. The photos included views of existing conditions from Simon Street side; a future view of the building with a chimney superimposed, an approximate representation of what it would look like. He also provided information from T Mobile, which explains that the site will comply with Federal standards and contains comparisons of emissions generated from this project and from other household items.
Issue Opened up for Public Comment
Karen Piotrowski, 181 North Street asked about decibel levels and emissions. Attorney Lacy explained that the decibel level would be 46-56 db, quieter than a refrigerator, and emissions will be less than 1%.
Ms. Markarian, 181 North Street, pointed out that although they took a vote in their building for this project and it passed, those opposing were only slightly outvoted. She wanted to state for the record that not everyone in the building and neighborhood is for this project because there are potential health risks, potential drop in realty value and it wouldn’t be desirable to look at.
John McDonald, 61 Buffum Street, is opposed to this project. He feels the building is not taken care of now and adding on a chimney will make it even more unattractive to look at.
There being no further comments, a motion was made by Gene Collins to close the public hearing, seconded by Tim Kavanaugh and approved (7-0).
Christine Sullivan mentioned that she read an article in the Boston Globe about the healthcare risks of such a project. Although she’d like the Board of Health to look into this, Chuck Puleo explained that neither the Planning Board nor the BOH have jurisdiction over this, they can’t deny based on the health risks.
There being no further comments, a motion was made by Gene Collins to approve the Special Permit, seconded by Tim Ready and approved (7-0).
Public Hearing – Site Plan Review, Wetlands and Flood Hazard District Special Permit & North River Canal Corridor Mixed Use District Special Permit-Riverview Place LLC, 72 Flint Street, 67-679 Mason Street & 71 Mason Street (Map 26, Lots 0091, 0095 & 0097) (former Salem Suede Property) – Attorney Scott Grover
Attorney Scott Grover, representing Riverview Place, said that last week the DRB issued it’s recommendation to the Planning Board without any condition, and, they were pleased with how the project has evolved. This meeting will be to discuss traffic issues and next meeting will be to discuss civil engineering issues. They will be meeting with the Board of Health on Tuesday, March 10th.
Steve Livermore, Architect, explained that they have increased the garage spaces from 203 to 252 spaces; the appearance of the garage would be the same as it was in the previous design; and it will now be 3 flat garage floors. They have reduced surface parking to 38. The parking for Flint St. residents will be in the same lot as before. The entrance into the building on Flint St. is 24 ft wide and is two-way. This same entrance is designed to discourage a right-hand turn onto Flint St.
Chris Huntress, Landscape Architect, said that with the reduction of spaces, there is reduction of pavement but an increase of green. He provided to Board members Landscape & Lighting plan that includes an inventory and sheets on plants, flowering, photos which show a variety of plants over a time period. There will be no fence behind the back of houses on Flint St. There were some minor lighting changes from the previous plan and Chris explained some of this. At the parking lot for Flint St. residents, there is a walkway with streetlights on each side. They may change those lights to ornamental lights. Chuck Puleo asked that they bring an updated page 2 of the plans to the next Planning Board meeting. There will be lights on the building, especially at entranceways, and these
will be included on the plan as well.
Jeff Maxtutis, Traffic Engineer, said the outstanding issue of backing out of the Flint St. driveway was accomplished by the applicant by moving some parking spaces. Chuck wondered if a rumble strip or signs could be put in to discourage the right hand turn onto Flint Street. Attorney Scott Grover said since the site plan is being re-done, he will ask for signage plan be done as well. Jeff Maxtutis said they are not proposing any speed bumps, as there’s not a long stretch of lot to allow cars to speed up. Chuck Puleo suggested they look at options for minimizing speed since they will be promoting pedestrian access on site. Rumble strips are an option but they tend to be loud which may not be desirable at a residential site. Christine Sullivan was concerned that the angle of the curbing at the
entrance on Flint Street would not be strong enough to suggest a left turn and discourage illegal right turns. Jeff Maxtutis explained that the curb will be raised granite 6” high and angled sharply to make it difficult to turn right. Christine suggested that going from Mason St, down Flint St and turning left into the site should be discouraged as well. Another concern is the entrance on Mason St which is a narrow entrance. Jeff Maxtutis explained that the intersection of the entranceway/Mason St/Tremont St does not meet site and stopping distance, so they suggest signs to improve this, a signal would greatly improve this. Chuck Puleo asked about the lighting during nighttime on Mason St, and the possible placement of a stop sign (if approaching Tremont St coming from North St) at Mason & Tremont Streets. Jeff Maxtutis explained that stop signs are not meant to be a calming device but more to create a right of way and if they place a sign there,
it may create some confusion. However, they will consider this.
Discussion of placing a traffic signal at the Mason St/Tremont St intersection took place. John Mirabito of BETA group said ideally a signal on Mason & Tremont Streets would be best, but cost is a concern (about $200,000). If a traffic signal there isn’t possible because of cost, they recommend advanced warning signs. Scott Grover reminded them that this project doesn’t add a significant amount of traffic.
Issue Opened up for Public Comment
Jane Arlander, 93 Federal St., is concerned with pedestrians crossing the driveway entrance on their way up Mason Street, cars coming out may not yield to them. Many people walk that way towards the park.
Sonia Penta, 89 Flint St, pointed out that signs for turning/not turning at Walgreen’s on Boston St go ignored, no one pays attention to them, she feels that signs at this project would probably go ignored as well. She feels people don’t respect signs and won’t do much good. Also, she feels this is not a kid-friendly site because most apartments are only one bedroom. What about fewer, bigger apartments?
Lori Stanley, 77 Mason St, agreed with Jane’s comments about pedestrians crossing the Mason St. driveway. She wondered why the developers eliminated a fence on Flint St. Steve Livermore and Scott Grover explained that the grading changes and the houses get higher on Flint St, so they thought it would be better for those neighbors to have a view of landscaping instead of a fence. The said if the Board and neighbors want a fence, they can add it in.
Nick Nowak, 336 Essex St., is concerned with the left turn out of the parking lot. He feels that if it’s angled too much, people won’t be able to see to their right.
Morris Schopf, 1 Cambridge St, said that discussing the two intersections (of entrances on Flint & Mason St.) is absurd because they both qualify for a traffic light due to the 309 car spaces this project will have. There will be too many cars with no satisfactory way into the property and he feels this needs to be improved.
Jane Arlander handed out a listing of motor vehicle accidents over the past two years in the area. There were 93 accidents, 51 of them involving personal injury or damage over $1,000. Chuck Puleo mentioned that the neighbors could advocate for a stronger presence in that area to slow down traffic, such as police stopping people over a certain speed limit. Tim Ready added that if they add enhancements such as signs and striping, they would be enhancing safety.
Darrow Lebovici, 122 Federal St, said that the traffic situation on Flint St. is absolutely one of the worst in the city, adding a car a minute at peak hours would make it worse. He informed members that one of the neighbors took some video of the traffic at that area; it will be posted online, and asked the Board members to please view it and take it into consideration.
Dave Weiner wondered if a signal is warranted at the Mason St. driveway. Jeff Maxtutis said the driveway volume doesn’t warrant a signal, Tremont St. does. It was suggested that the City pay for half the signal, the developer the other half. Jeff said that they have suggested signal timing, driveway structure to discourage traffic away from Flint St, etc. Also, they offered to pay a portion of the signal at Tremont St. Scott Grover added that the City Council has to decide to put a signal in, not the Planning Board. While Dave would like the Planning Dept to bring this into discussion, Chuck Puleo suggested taking the next step and get estimates on cost. Scott Grover thinks if they agree to contribute some money it should be put that in escrow. If they wait for the
City to decide about a traffic light, it would probably take too long. Christine wants to see a complete signage plan.
Meg Twohey, 122 Federal St, asked about Flint St. driveway and Oak St, people might try to cut across them. She also inquired about whether the garage would have a roof. Steve Livermore said the garage will not have a roof but it won’t be visible from the apartments, he wasn’t sure about the visibility from Mason St. As far as the Flint St driveway/Oak St., the City may want to consider putting in a meridian strip on Flint St.
There being no further comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Gene Collins to continue the public hearing on March 19th, seconded by Tim Ready and approved (7-0).
Old/New Business
- Request to extend Special Permit granted to North River Canal LLC for the property at 28 Goodhue St. - Danielle McKnight read a letter from Councillor Paul Prevey requesting the Board to impose a condition on the extension for the owner to clean this site. Anthony Roberto, one of the owners stated that the site was cleaned after the last clean up request. It was recommended that he have the site cleaned up again and then contact Councillor Prevey to check the site once it’s done. Danielle had another letter from Councillor Sosnowski. His letter questioned the Peabody Flood Mitigation Plan as to whether it will affect the project at this site.
There being no further questions or comments regarding this matter, a motion was made by Dave Weiner to extend the special permit for six months, seconded by Christine Sullivan and approved (7-0).
- Beverly Co-Op Bank- Christine Sullivan spoke with Bill Howard regarding screening. All materials are in hand, as soon as they are able to get onto the roof, they’ll do it.
- Chuck Puleo would like the intersection in front of the Homeless Shelter to be investigated because there are temporary stop signs and there should be permanent ones there.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the Planning Board this evening, a motion was made by Dave Weiner to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Gene Collins and approved (7-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Stacey Dupuis, Clerk
Salem Planning Board
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