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TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
CITY HALL, TAUNTON, MA 02780
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DATE: May 5, 2011
BOARD MEMBERS: 1. Daniel Dermody, Chrmn. 5. Richard Faulkner, Clerk
2. Arthur Lopes 6. Bob Campbell, V.C.
3. Tony Abreau 7. Manuel Spencer
4. Alan Medeiros
ADVISORS:
8. Mark Slusarz, City Engineer
- Kevin Scanlon, City Planner
Roll Call: Spencer, Lopes, Faulkner,Campbell, and Dermody present. Also present was City Planner Kevin Scanlon. Meeting opens at 5:38 PM.
Manny made motion to accept April 7, 2011 minutes, seconded by Bob.. All in favor.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
The Board discussed the summer schedule. Discussion took place whether to have July meeting on July21, 2001 instead of July 7, 2011.
The Board voted to re-schedule their July7, 2011 meeting to July 21, 2011 AT 5:30 pm. and NO August meeting.
Con’t. - Public Hearing - Form J Plan – Waiver of frontage – split one lot into three lots – for property located at 720 Glebe Street, submitted by James Kdan.
Roll Call: Spencer, Campbell, Lopes, Faulkner and Dermody present. Hearing opens at 5:38 pm
Kevin stated the proposal is for 3 lots on Glebe Street resulting in 2 more vacant lots. The applicant received ZBA approval and now they need to get Waiver of Frontage (Form J ) . This was continued last month for the applicant to meet with DPW and come up with some sort of roadway improvement plan. Kevin read communication from Tony Abreau, Asst. DPW Commissioner and letter from Daniel & Patricia Mitchelll, 1005 Glebe Street in opposition.
Dick made motion to place communications on file, seconded by Bob. All in favor.
Bob. Made motion to invite petitioner into the enclosure, seconded by Arthur. All in favor.
Atty. David Marcelino and James Kdan were invited into the enclosure.
Atty. Marcelino stated they met with Asst. DPW Commissioner Abreau and spoke to him twice on phone agreed to clear brush for a distance 150 feet on both sides equally a distance of 300 feet. Dick asked if that includes brush & trees? Atty. Marcelino answers all the overgrown brush on both sides.
Bob made motion to re-open public input, seconded by Manny. All in favor.
Opposition: Daniel Mitchell, 1005 Glebe Street stated he submitted letter. He stated the street is very narrow and 2 cars cannot pass and he was under the impression that when they built Atty. Marcelino’s house it was approved for one house only. Kevin stated that by putting that condition on previous roadway improvement plan that triggers re-review of which may require addition improvements. He stated what’s being proposed here is clearing of brush and it’s up to the Planning Board to see if that’s sufficient improvements. Mr. Mtichell stated this will open a can of worms for future problems. Opposed: Nelson Aguiar, 950 Glebe Street stated the roadway is only 13 feet wide and his mailbox has been hit 3 times. He asked if they do improvements are
people going to lose their stone walls, are they going to add street lights? He wanted to know exactly where they are clearing? Atty. Marcelino explains the approximate vicinity is near 820 Glebe Street after the water tower lot back to North Walker Street. Mr. Faulkner stated he lives in neighborhood and his concern is the safety. He stated 25 years ago there was a construction company that wanted to develop some land and they found ledge. Mr.. Faulkner stated their main concern should be safety. Bob asked the street lighting is under the purview of the Municipal Council. Bob stated there is adequate access and the addition of 2 houses will generate about 19 or 20 trips per day. He stated over the years houses have been built and no one person is responsible to remove rock and clear brush. He stated the condition on the previous RIP plan was for one house and if any additional houses were to go out there they would
need to come back here. Mr. Kdan received ZBA approval and adding 2 more houses is not going to be detrimental and he agrees with the DPW in that clearing the brush is sufficient. Deirdre Goddard, 995 Glebe Street, stated she just bought house 4 months ago and she wanted to know what they were proposing? Bob showed her on plans where they were planning on clearing brush. In favor: Dan Choiniere, 747 Glebe Street, stated he was purchasing one of the lots for his 14month old daughter so there won’t be any immediate development on this lot. Opposed: James Lawrence, 510 Burt St., stated the street is very narrow and there is ledge. He was wondering where they are going to clear because there is wetlands close by. He stated the whole role is chipped and they keep patching and it’s a real bad entrance. Kevin stated they may need to go to Conservation Commission. Bob stated he didn’t think so for
clearing brush. Manny asked if they can get 2 vehicle through? Atty. Marcelino answers they could get one fire truck down and 1 vehicle. Manny stated the problem is that we get to a point of allowing houses on an undeveloped street. Kevin stated from the sounds of it they have problem getting one vehicle down road. Manny has big concerns with safety and he didn’t’ want to approve anything and it come back to haunt us. Atty. Marcelino stated part of his RIP approval he conceded with the City and put emergency turnaround on his property. There is room for one fire truck . Atty. Marcelino stated 2 form A lots were recently approved in area of water tower. Atty. Marcelino stated those two lots will put pressure on road and they didn’t have to do any improvements. Atty. Marcelino lives at 685 Glebe Street and he has emergency turnaround. Bob stated the Safety Officer can view area and
see what part of the street they can focus on. Manny stated what bothers him is that there is no room for emergency vehicles. Mr. Faulkner asked Kevin for his opinion. Kevin stated it’s up to the Board? Mr. Faulkner wanted his opinion. Kevin stated he thinks there should be something concrete done but if they DPW looked at it and they were satisfied with it. He stated in his opinion, he would have liked something more for improvement but it’s ultimately up to the Board.
Bob made motion to find the access through the frontage is suitable and approved Form J & Roadway Improvement Plan. Seconded by Arthur.
Vote: Campbell, Lopes, ……………….Yes
Spencer, Faulkner, Dermody……..No
DENIED:
Atty. Marcellino states it’s unfair because two Form A Lots were approved without improvements and it’s not his client’s fault there is no consistent plan or this roadway.
Hearing closes at 6:30 PM
Public Hearing – Proposed Planning Board Fees – ANF (FormA) Preliminary Res Sub., Preliminary Comm/Ind. Sub.., Form J, Mobile Home Parks, Mod., Amendments, Rescission, and Definitive Sub.
Roll Call: Spencer, Campbell, Lopes, Faulkner and Dermody present. Meeting opens at 6:31 PM. Kevin stated he submitted his proposal for increase in the fee for the Planning Board. The Board thought the fee increases were appropriate and a lot less than some surrounding communities.
Arthur made motion to open public input, seconded by Bob. All in favor.
No one appearing in favor or opposed.
Bob made motion to close public input, seconded by Arthur. All in favor.
Bob made motion to approve the submitted fee schedule as presented, seconded by Arthur. All in favor. Hearing closed at 6:34 PM
Chairman Dermody informed the Board of the informational meeting regarding the Community Preservation Act in the City of Taunton tonight right after this meeting. Chairman Dermody stated he testified at meeting in Boston and has been fighting for this since 2006.
Bob made motion to forward a letter to the Municipal Council to let them know the Board in is favor of CPA in the City of Taunton.
Meeting adjourned at 6:35
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