MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC MEETING
MARCH 12, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patricia Halpin, John Baker, Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Mark Brodeur, William Italiano, Ron Thunberg
PROPOSED ZONING CHANGES: VOTE TO APPROVE
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted to accept with changes the first five proposed amendments of the Building Inspector to the Zoning Bylaws (concerning sign permitting for public, civic and non-profit organizations; provisions for off-street parking; requirements for home occupations; sign permitting; sign licensing) and recommend these amendments to Town Meeting.
Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted not to recommend the sixth proposed amendment to Town Meeting (concerning Section 3.5.B.3 Site Plan Review).
Mr. Brodeur will return to meet with the Planning Board on March 25th to further discuss criteria for Site Plan Review.
Shell Gas Station: Plans were received from Ayoub Engineering for the Shell gas station on Route 12. These plans were neither stamped nor certified. Mr. Brodeur will contact the engineer and request that he certify the plans and inquire whether these are as-built plans. Mr. Brodeur stated that he believes the gas station owner wishes to install an auto vacuuming area. Ms. Paré cautioned that they are tight on space and there are problems with queuing for the car wash. The owners were also supposed to improve their signage for traffic. Mr. Brodeur agreed that there is a need for signage and striping.
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ANR: BILOTTA-KUNKEL, 25 FAIRBANKS STREET
Mr. Thunberg presented an ANR plan for Ms. Lisa Bilotta-Kunkel for the division of her property on 25 Fairbanks Street. He submitted two Form(s) A, the application fee in the amount of $400 and six copies of the plan with one mylar. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Baker, it was voted, four ayes, to sign the ANR plan. Mr. Vignaly recused himself.
ANR: GERMAIN: 142 FAIRBANKS STREET
Mr. Thunberg also presented an ANR plan for 142 Fairbanks Street, property owned by Debra Germain that was divided into two lots, of which Lot B will not be a buildable lot. A mylar, the filing fee, six copies of the plan and two Forms(s) A were also submitted. Upon motion of Mr. Baker and second of Mr. Salate, it was voted, four ayes, to sign the ANR plan. Mr. Vignaly asked to be recused.
HONEY DEW DONUTS: REVISED PLAN
Following a final review by the DCR, the plans for Honey Dew Donuts were revised. The applicant has inquired whether there is a need to file an amended application for Site Plan Review. Ms. Paré inquired whether all the changes could be put on an as-built plan. Mr. Vignaly noted the addition of bio-cells and trench drains, which don’t change the pavement and are associated with the new stormwater management bylaw. Ms. Paré stated that VHB should not have to do a large review but the Planning Board needs to write a letter to the applicant, informing him that he must file an amended site plan application. The Planning Board has a responsibility to its abutters to allow them access to this new information via a public hearing. The amended application needs to be accompanied by a $600
application fee and an $800 engineering review fee. Mr. Baker stated that the Planning Board was “up front” with the applicant that he should wait until final review by the DCR before closing the public hearing with the Planning Board. These are substantial changes, Mr. Baker stated, as well as great enhancements to the plans.
EXPEDITED PERMITTING
The Board of Selectmen has requested a response from the Planning Board by March 14th concerning their opinions of the state’s proposed “expedited permitting” process. Ms. Paré noted that it is a complex process, which requires that all owners be in agreement. Mr. Vignaly stated that the Board seems to be in general support of the idea, but the implementation process needs to be better defined. Most applications for Site Plan Review that come before this Board are completed within three months or less. Ms. Halpin stated that the BOS are thinking about the newly rezoned area north of Route 190. Ms. Paré stated that we have to apply for grant money to define the process and questioned whether this would be the role of the Building Inspector. Mr. Vignaly stated that he
sees no benefit to the town except for a speeded up time frame, which really isn’t necessary. Mr. Baker
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stated that he sees this proposal as one that is more aptly applied to larger cities. Ms. Halpin will email Mr. Gaumond with the Planning Board’s opinion.
SHARED SERVICES
Ms. Halpin met with Mr. Gaumond and gave him the list of shared services that was prepared by the Planning Board, with the assistance of former member, Ms. Elise Wellington. She also submitted the secretary’s job description. This information will go to the “Shared Services” committee. Ms. Halpin explained why the position of the secretary to the Planning Board is not one that lends itself to being “shared”. Mr. Gaumond stated that he supports a line item for salary for this position but wants a breakdown of the request for $2,000 for “supplies”. This money will go towards legal ads in the newspaper published for zoning changes, attendance at conferences for members of the Board and membership in the Mass. Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards.
MAY TOWN MEETING
Ms. Paré will write up the final, proposed changes to the Zoning Bylaws for Town Meeting, which are: changes to the CCRC District to include the Industrial Zone; a requirement for an affordable component to any CCRC development and changes to the language involving associate ZBA membership, as well as the proposed changes recommended by the Building Inspector.
OTHER BUSINESS
As-built plans for Century Drive are being reviewed by Mr. Amico.
Ms. Paré has reviewed the Easement prepared by the attorney for Merrimount Subdivision, Paul Sushchyk. She noted that the only difference between this document and that of Kopelman & Paige is that a “Subordination of Mortgage” is missing from this proposed easement. Mr. Sushchyk also forwarded a proposed Article for Town Meeting. It appears that the attorney has satisfactorily completed the necessary documents. Ms. Halpin will email the Conveyance and proposed Article to Town Counsel. She will also inquire of Mr. Sushchyk whether a Subordination of Mortgage clause is necessary.
Mr. McCormick has inquired when he will be receiving the refund of his remaining engineering review fees for One Seventy-Five LLC. Mr. Vignaly noted that $2,500 is required to cover inspection fees, but the remaining balance can be refunded. He also noted that Mr. McCormick should receive a copy of the email received from Town Counsel concerning the definition of a “Business Center”.
Thanks to Ms. Paré for preparing an excellent “Annual Report” for Fiscal Year 2007 for the Planning Board.
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Mr. Salate stated that he may be able to attend the 2008 Spring area meeting of the Mass. Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards, to be held on April 24th at the Castle Restaurant in Leicester.
The DCR will hold a seminar on “Low Impact Development Tools” on April 10, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the DCR office, 180 Beaman Street.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
Economic Development Task Force will meet Thursday with the BOS and discuss the proposal to create an “economic development zone” with Boylston.
Mr. Vignaly reported that he will have a draft revised “Open Space Plan” ready in two weeks. Ms. Paré will will assist in making discs.
Forms to apply for funds from the Community Preservation Act are now on the web. The funds cannot be used for maintenance but can be used for demolition if the demolition will create open space. The funds can also be used to post bonds for the purchase of open space, Mr. Salate reported.
MINUTES/BILLS
Invoices from the T&G and VHB were approved for payment. Upon motion of Mr. Salate and second of Ms. Paré, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting of February 27, 2008. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Date Accepted:__________ By:___________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_____________________
Susan Abramson
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