TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
CITY HALL, TAUNTON, MA 02780
(Meeting held at Maxham School, 141 Oak St., Taunton, Ma. )
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DATE: December 3, 2015
BOARD MEMBERS: Bob Campbell, Chrmn. Dan Dermody
Anthony Abreau, V.C. Arthur Lopes
Manuel Spencer, Clerk Joshua Borden
John Reardon
ADVISORS: Mark Slusarz, City Engineer
Kevin Scanlon, City Planner
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Roll Call: Borden, Reardon, Lopes, Abreau, Dermody, Spencer, and Campbell present. Also present was Mark Slusarz, City Engineer. Meeting opens at 5:31 PM
Josh made motion to approve minutes of Nov. 5, 2015. Seconded by Dan. All in favor.
Cont’d. Public Hearing – Form J – 405 Richmond Street - Waiver of frontage requirements – submitted by Deanna Lee
Letter requesting a continuance until next month.
Motion made and seconded to continue until next month. All in favor. Note: there will only be 4 voting members due to recent election.
Josh made motion to revert out of the regular order of business seconded by Dan. All in favor.
Winthrop Heights – Update on completion - reduction of surety -
Mr. Richard Feodoroff was invited into the enclosure. Last month they were here for lot release and after confirmation from the City Engineer that the roadway was completed the lot could be released. Mr. Feodoroff stated the road and sidewalks are paved. There are a few minor issues with the sidewalks. He stated the inspector was happy with the result. Mr. Feodoroff commended Jack Gasper, Hyde Paving for an excellent job. Clerk Spencer read letter from City Engineer indicated he recommends reducing surety to ng $27,000 and release remaining monies. Letter from City Planning concurring with the City Engineer.
Arthur made motion to release last lot & reduce the surety to $27,000 based on the City Engineer’s letter. Seconded by Josh. All in favor.
Public Meeting – Site Plan Review – Silver City Galleria Mall – for parking lot revisions and building and landscaping as part of the proposed Bristol County Community College and Round
Ken Darling, Operation Manager was invited into the enclosure. Clerk Spencer read DIRB comments into the record which was placed on file. Mr. Darling stated due to the changes at the mall with Round One and the updated cinemas they decided to re-design the entrance. They eliminated 24 spaces but has in excess of 200 spaces available. Manny asked why the reduction of spaces? Mr. Darling stated because they have less seating (but more comfortable seats) in the cinema. Dan asked where BCC is going to be located? Mr. Darling answers going into the former Old Navy Space. Dan said so you are adding some anemeties and re-designed entrance which is good idea. Manny has no issues with the proposal. No one in favor or opposed.
Manny made motion to approve with DIRB comments, seconded by Dan. All in favor.
Condition #1) That the plans dated November 17, 2015 shall govern with the following additional conditions:
Condition # 2) A set of updated plans shall be submitted that conforms to all of the requirements of this decision before any building permits will be issued. Two sets are required.
Condition #3) This decision shall not supersede any previous approvals except as specifically shown on the submitted plans.
Condition #4) Two sets of As-Builts shall be submitted upon completion of all work on site and shall include certification and stamps by a Design Engineer (PE) and Land Surveyor (PLS) stating that the development has been built according to the approved plans. Plans shall show at least all of the information on the proposed plans referenced in condition #1 above and all utility As-builts.
Condition #5) The striped walkway shall be 8 feet wide.
Sabbatia Landing – Elimination of Sidewalk in front of building 4 & 5 – Need to determine if minor or major change.
Carlos Melo was invited into the enclosure. Chairman Campbell stated that last month they were here because the City Engineer suggesting waiving the sidewalks for buildings 4 & 5 because it would cause drainage problems. The residents were notified of this meeting for input. The Board needs to determine if it’s a minor or major change. Letter from residents of condo, Bruce & Helene MacDonald, Unit 501, Tom Kellier, Unit 504, Michael & Beverly Allard, Unit 505 and Stephen & Angela Santos, Unit 401. They request the Board, if they waive the sidewalk to install curbs in place of sidewalk. Several members wanted the sidewalks but after receiving the City Engineer’s report they would be in favor of waiving. There was some discussion to waive sidewalk and
have contractor pave driveways as suggested by Mr. Melo. There was some discussion if the residents wanted the existing walk ways to be cement instead of asphalt.
Josh made motion to find it to be a minor change and waive the sidewalks for buildings 4 & 5 in exchange for the contractor paving the driveways. Seconded by Manny. All in favor.
Prospect Hill Preserve – Copy of Letter from residents requesting for street acceptance.
The Planning Board was cc’d on a letter that went to the Council for street acceptance. Letter from Deborah Bourvette, 30 Heritage Drive asking about the homeowner’s association. Letter from City Engineer and City Planner was read into the record. Manny stated it’s very clear in the documents these streets were NEVER to be the responsibility of the City. The homeowner’s association is responsible.
Josh made motion to send letter to residents stating these streets are to remain private and send them information regarding condo docs. Chairman Campbell stated the current Trustee (the developer) is responsible until it turned over to the association.
Pinehurst Roadway Improvement Plan- Request to release lots 1, 2, & 3 . holding 0 surety
Josh disclosed that he had done work for the applicant but has no conflict and can act on this. Christopher Moniz, Partner of Pinehurst Development was invited into the enclosure. Clerk Spencer read letter from the City Planner recommending releasing lots 1,2,3 upon receipt of $12,800 on the recommendation of the City Engineer.
Dan made motion to release lots 1,2,3 upon receipt of $12,800 of surety. Seconded by Tony.
Bob asked if there was going to be any drainage for corner lot and Mr. Moniz said they will address that.
Public Meeting - Site Plan Review – 775 John Quincy Adams Rd. - to allow a 4,782 sq. ft. addition and site renovations submitted by Taunton Lodge of Elks #150.
John DeSousa, SeaCoast Consulting LLC was invited into the enclosure. Dan stated this would be a preliminary review as there will be new plans submitted. John stated after some discussion they will be providing new plans. They will need to go back to the DIRB as the plans have changed and their comments are based on old plans. They added more overflow parking, gazebo, BBQ and some motorcycle parking. John stated the new plans show movement for the RV (45’ recreation vehicle) Arthur asked how many spaces? John answers originally there was 92 (which they received variance for waiver from ZBA) and now there is 148 spaces. John said they are 20 spaces short but they have variance to cover that. Manny asked if they added the 20 spaces how much
would it cost? John answers about $10,000 including the removal of trees, grubbing and prep. area. It was asked what is the capacity of the existing building? John answers 235 and they only have 54 spaces now. John stated they could show more parking but asks if they could put it as future phase. The Elks cannot do it all at once due to financials. Tony asked if the building has sprinklers and John answers yes and they will expand that. Tony asked what is the exiting water service and it was not known because the site was developed under the State DPW, not local DPW. The nearest hydrant is across the street. Mark asked where is the location of second driveway? He suggests showing grades and 4% slope. John stated the walkways has to be ADA compliant. John stated the soils are good.
John stated he will submit new plans and will have to come back after DIRB reviews it.
Letter from John Artesani - Oaklawn Avenue – proposing a sewer easement instead of digging up road .
Clerk Spencer read letter from John Artesani into the record. John Artesani was invited into the enclosure.
He is asking if the Board would consider him bringing sewer to his lot through an easement. He stated when he talked to the DPW they suggesting bringing sewer up from School Street and then he would have to pave it. He owns corner lot and he would bring sewer through an easement. Tony stated they don’t approve spaghetti lines and what about the water ? Tony stated it’s the City’s policy to leave stubs when doing sewer. After some discussion Tony stated he would really have to do a sewer extension. Josh pointed out that he needed the Mass. State Plane Coordinates on Form J Plans. It would be less expensive if they cut road than a sewer extension. He was informed the Variance is only good for one year but he could, before it expires, ask for a 6-month
extension. The City Engineer suggested he go to the Water Dept. so they can mark out where water is. Mr. Artensani’s choices are to bring sewer from School Street and repave street or from Whitsboro Street and see if he could possibly wait for moratorium to be over without variance expiring.
Dan thanked the Board, City Engineer and P.B. Secretary for all her help during the past 16 years. He stated it was his pleasure working with all of them.
John also thanked the Board and Secretary for all their help.
Josh echoed Dan’s comments.
Chairman Campbell wished them all well.
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Meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM
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