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TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
CITY HALL, TAUNTON, MA 02780
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DATE: OCT. 1, 2009 PAGE NO: 1
BOARD MEMBERS: 1. Daniel Dermody, Chrmn. 5. Richard Faulkner, Clerk
2. Bob Campbell 6. Arthur Lopes
3. Manuel Spencer 7. David Pimental
4. Tony Abreau
ADVISORS:
8. Kevin Scanlon, City Planner
9. Mark Slusarz, City Engineer
Roll Call: Spencer, Campbell, Abreau, Lopes, Pimental, Faulkner, and Dermody present. Meeting opens at 5:33 PM.
Dick made motion to accept minutes of September 3, 2009 seconded by Manny. All in favor.
Libby Estates – Request to release all surety (holding $48,000 and Lot 3) Yvon Nadeau
Clerk Faulkner read the City Planner’s & City Engineer’s letter into the record which was placed on file. It was noted the applicant is just asking to release all surety and keep Lot under covenant.
Bob made motion to release all surety ($48,000) to Yvon Nadeau, seconded by Tony. All in favor.
Public Hearing – Proposed Zoning Change – Said areas to be re-zoned include a portion of Industrial Park Rd. & Bay Street, more specifically: Lots 14-5, 14-4, 14-3, 14-2, and a portion of 14-1. Proposal is to re-zone properties from its present Industrial and Suburban Residential District to Business District. Submitted by Richard Shafer, et als.
Roll Call: Spencer, Campbell, Abreau, Pimental, Lopes, Faulkner, and Dermody present. Meeting opens at 5:38 PM. Atty. David Gay, Richard Shafer, Exec. Director, Taunton Development Corp., and Bob Field, Field Engineering Co. 4 Court St., Taunton, Ma. Letters from the B.O.H., Conservation Commission, City Planner. It was noted the City Planner’s letter wasn’t accurate to the zoning change? His letter indicated the change was from Suburban Residential District to Industrial. Atty. Gay stated his proposal is changing it from Suburban & Industrial to Business.
Bob made motion place Dept. comments on filed, and get clarification from the City Planner on his letter, seconded by Dick. Atty. Gay stated as the Board is aware a Zoning Change can be filed by a land owner, or a petition signed by 10 registered voters or a city department. It was noted this was submitted by petition signed by Dick Shafer and others. This property is owned by the TDC and the petition was signed by 15 registered voters. Atty. Gay stated the property is located across from Bridgewater Savings Bank. Atty. Gay stated presently there is a triangular shaped lot zoned Suburban & Industrial but most liked will not be developed for residential. Atty. Gay stated they had choice to change to Industrial Or business. They chose, due to the size and wetlands,
to change it to Business District. He stated it’s not large enough for an Industrial use. With the businesses across the street it makes more sense to change to Business. Atty Gay stated some of the uses allowed under the zoning ordinance is eatery with drive-thru, medical/dental office, retail. Atty. Gay stated they do have someone interested in putting a 20,000 sq. ft. office building having 2 floors and possibly a 2nd retail with small restaurant breakfast/lunch. However’ Atty. Gay pointed out that this is not spot zoning and wants the Board to look at the whole zoning change and not just base their decision on what he said might go in there. He stated what ever is permitted could go in there or if not, they would have to get ZBA approval. They might need to get curb cut and have to go thru the DIRB process. The TDC has other industrial sites they can sell but this parcel certainly isn’t conducive to an
Industrial use.
Dick asked if the property across the lot used to be Agricultural and did it automatically become part of the Industrial Park. Mr. Shafer answers yes, it used to be the corn fields. Manny’s question was about the exit which will be addressed at the DIRB stage. Bob asked why are they only asking for a portion of Lot 14-1 to be rezoned and not the whole lot? Bob Field stated they may need for detention basin. Bob Campbell suggesting whole lot as part of zoning change and putting building further down to gain access from Joseph Quinn Drive? Atty. Gay stated the lot doesn’t have much depth and after complying with all setbacks the building won’t have much depth.
Bob made motion to open public input, seconded by Manny. All in favor. No one appearing in favor or opposition to proposal.
Arthur made motion to close public input, seconded by Dick. Al in favor.
Arthur made motion forward a positive recommendation to the Municipal Council, seconded by Tony.
Vote: Faulkner, Spencer, Lopes, Pimental, Dermody, Abreau,……Yes
Campbell…………………………………………………………..No
Motion passed.
Hearing closes at 6:00 PM.
Manny asked Mr. Shafer about for an update on the Zoning Change relative to the Life Science Center and the recreation/ball fields? Dick stated he just received memo from Council for an update. He stated they are working on appraisal for the 206 acres zoned Industrial. He is working under Chapter 43D. Mr. Shafer stated once a P&S is on property then it will trigger the recreation fields. He stated it probably won’t be for another 6-12 months. Mr. Shafer stated it will be looked at when the acres need to be replaced. Manny asked that he keep the Planning board updated as there are many local organization who want this in the city. Mr. Shafer stated he is willing to work with everyone.
Special Permit-Site Plan Review – 57 Ashland St. – 4 unit dwelling - Need to forward a recommendation to the Municipal Council.
Kevin Crowninshield was invited into the enclosure. Letter from the City Planner was read into the record and placed on file. Mr. Crowninshield stated he purchased the house and has did a lot of work. The previous owners built an apartment over the garage and how he wishes to legalize and live there. This will help him afford to pay son’s college tuition. Chairman Dermody asked if this went to the ZBA. The ZBA approved this and now it needs to go the Council for Special Permit for 4 family. Bob asked about the parking and suggested parking in back of one another. The secretary informed them that under the zoning ordinance you cannot have “stacked” parking. Manny stated he doesn’t have an issue with this petition. This will help the petitioner
while enhancing the neighborhood.
Manny made motion to forward a positive recommendation to the Municipal Council, seconded by Arthur. All in favor.
Letter from Tibbett Engineering Corp. – Prequalified Consultants’ List for Land Surveying Services
Clerk Faulkner stated all members received letter in mail.
Tony made motion to add to the list, seconded by Dave. All in favor.
Mr. Faulkner wishes everyone luck in the upcoming election and Happy Halloween.
Motion to adjourn meeting at 6:15 PM.
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