MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING
MAY 13, 2009
SURABIAN REALTY APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Lawrence Salate, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico, Patrick Healy, Andrew Surabian, Erin Moudios, Nick Moudios
Ms. Halpin opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Ms. Paré read the Notice of Public Hearing that was published in the Telegram & Gazette on April 29th and May 6th. Mr. Patrick Healy, engineer from Thompson-Liston Associates who represented the applicant, submitted receipts from Certified Mailings of notices sent to abutters. Mr. Healy explained the scope of the proposed project to the audience. Two buildings are proposed at 184 – 186 West Boylston Street, one of which will be 6,000 sf and house either a retail/restaurant/banking establishment, or a combination of those (with a potential for a drive-thru window). The other (sited closer to Route 12) will consist of 2,900 sf and be the appropriate size for a retail establishment. The project was presented to the
Conservation Commission and received an Order of Conditions as there will be some work done in the buffer zone. Parking is proposed for 37 cars in the area of the 6,000 sf building and for 12 cars in the area of the 2,900 sf building. The shared parking situation in the existing lot makes it difficult to assign spaces to particular tenants. Additional parking will also be added in the back of Salter College and the southwest corner of the existing lot. The shopping plaza driveway entrance off of Route 12 will be reconfigured to aid in pedestrian and vehicular traffic within the site but there is no proposed change to the location and reconfiguration of the signal and approach. Stormwater drainage will be improved with hoods added to 13 of the 16 existing catch basins, as well as two rain gardens to infiltrate the water. Several additional landscape areas are also proposed along the street and on landscape islands. No details for signage can be provided
at this time, as no tenants have been contracted, however, signs will be placed on the proposed buildings as well as the “ladder” sign at the front of the property. Mr. Healy presented a lighting plan, which will be reviewed by Mr. Amico.
Minutes of the Planning Board Public Hearing 2.
May 13, 2009 – Surabian Realty
The applicant requests waivers from Plan Standards and Design Standards, as detailed in the letter of April 2, 2009 from Thompson-Liston that accompanied the application. In response to the request to waive the requirement for interior walkways and pedestrian paths within the area, where no construction is proposed, Mr. Vignaly stated that, after the project has been completed, he would like to see where people are walking, and have crosswalks painted in those areas.
Ms. Paré then read comments from other town boards and departments. The Building Inspector, Board of Health and Police Department all approved without comment. The Water Department, by letter dated May 4, 2009, approved with modifications and conditions enumerated in the letter. By email dated May 13th, Mr. Westerling stated that his comments were limited because the project is on a state highway, which is the jurisdiction of MassHighway. He did state that the developer will have to pay privilege fees for the connection of additional sewer services and any excavations within the layout of Route 12 will have to be approved by MassHighway.
On May 12th, VHB submitted a review letter for the project. Mr. Amico referred to that letter in his comments, which he stated were mostly minor. He asked that the Board consider a waiver to make the entire site compliant with Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Amico did not receive a copy of the Functional Design Report (“FDR”) that was issued when the traffic signal was originally installed. He queried how the traffic expansion was evaluated. Mr. Healy stated that the FDR was not updated because cars now entering the lot stay longer than they did when there was a super market at the site, thus creating less flow. Mr. Amico stated that he would like to review the FDR. A traffic study may still be warranted. Changing the timing on a traffic signal requires that a traffic memo be submitted to
MassHighway with details of current use vs proposed use.
The lighting and landscaping both appear to be adequate. Mr. Amico will drive by the site tonight to evaluate whether the current lighting seems to be such that it is not reflecting on neighbors’ properties. The use of shoebox style lights that reflect downward generally functions well. The crosswalks seem to be a good compromise, Mr. Amico stated, and added that the retention wall will need a building permit. Mr. Surabian stated that there have been no drainage issues at the intersection on Route 12, however, there have been problems at the site of the current island. These will be addressed during the proposed expansion. Mr. Healy stated that he may need to seek an amendment to the current MassHighway permit. He added that it will not be necessary to export fill but he is not sure how much fill
will be needed.
New striping may be needed at the entrance, Mr. Amico stated. Ms. Paré noted that sidewalks need to be considered. Other boards in town are emphasizing the importance of sidewalks along Route 12. Mr. Salate questioned how many lights are at the site now and what percentage of lights will be in the new style. Mr. Healy stated that one light will be
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May 13, 2009 – Surabian Realty
relocated and the new style (non-glare and directed downward) will be installed surrounding the buildings. Mr. Vignaly noted that the sumps must be deep enough to have the hoods operate correctly. Mr. Surabian stated that the basins were cleaned in the fall, but will be done again during the construction process. A maintenance plan needs to be in place, Mr. Vignaly added. The rain gardens will also need to be maintained, Ms. Paré noted. Mr. Vignaly asked whether there are areas for land islands. Mr. Surabian stated that the cost for those would be prohibitive. There will be two new screened receptacles for trash, one of which will be fenced. Ms. Halpin asked where the snow would be stored. The current location in the middle of the lot obstructs traffic and is unsightly. Mr.
Healy noted areas abutting the perimeter of the property where the snow will be stored.
No questions were asked by members of the audience. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Salate, it was unanimously voted to continue the public hearing until June 10, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.
Date Accepted:___________ By:_____________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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