MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
SURABIAN REALTY SITE PLAN REVIEW
JUNE 10, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patricia Halpin
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico, Christopher Pallotta, Andrew Surabian, Patrick Healy
Robert McLaren, Robert Claise
The Chair, Mr. Salate, opened the Continued Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m. Mr. Healy addressed the meeting on behalf of the applicant. He stated that he had been working with Mr. Amico and submitted a response letter to VHB on Monday, the 8th (dated June 6, 2009) including revised plans and supplemental information on Groundwater Mounding as well as a Stormwater Operation and Maintenance Plan. The terms of a prior Easement between Surabian Realty and Checkerboard limit the number of permitted parking spaces to 601, so the plans were revised to eliminate 13 spaces behind Salter School on the north side of the parking lot. There remain three issues raised by VHB which have not as yet been addressed. They include a note on the plan that loops may require repair/replacement during construction. The truck turning
template is a problem as is pipe velocity at design flow. Mr. Healy stated that there is such low velocity (less than 3 feet/second) that calculations are not needed to show that the velocity meets minimum/maximum requirements. A revised traffic report was submitted and additional sidewalks were added. The applicant will not put any sidewalks on Route 12. He wishes to avoid dealing with MassHighway, because that would entail the submission of design plans, an application permit fee and facilitating an agreement between the Town of West Boylston and the developer, incurring additional time and costs. There is a guardrail on the south side of the entry which would prohibit the construction of a sidewalk there. Mr. Vignaly noted that the Planning Board has been encouraged to require applicants to install sidewalks and the area on Route 12 abutting this site would be an especially appropriate place for them. Ms. Paré commented that it is important
that the Town set a written policy on the issue of sidewalks that will apply to all developers.
Minutes of the Planning Board Public Hearing 2.
June 10, 2009 – Surabian Site Plan Review
Mr. Amico addressed the Board and stated that, in an effort to help the applicant close the public hearing tonight, he reviewed the supplemental information that was submitted on Monday and wrote two response letters. The final review letter will be written and
forwarded to the Planning Board following tonight’s meeting. Mr. Amico then discussed his letters, dated today, including the Traffic Report review in which he concludes that the
revised traffic analysis demonstrates that the driveway will “operate at a good level of service under future Build conditions” and no modifications to the intersection are required. The lighting plan is adequate as well as traffic patterns. Mr. Amico agrees that building sidewalks on state land create a burden because of having to deal with MassHighway. Turning issues for trucks are a problem. Turning movements were provided for a SU-30 accessing the parking area for the 2,900 sf building. It appears that the truck cannot exit the area without backing into the main driveway. Mr. Healy agreed that it is tight and stated that, if a fast food restaurant is constructed, different parking calculations will be required. There are no regulations concerning the screening of a transformer. As a
condition of approval, Mr. Amico recommends that a plan (engineered wall drawings) for the retaining wall be submitted to the Planning Board. Mr. Amico then reviewed further drainage issues and commented that the applicant will need to consult with Mr. Westerling concerning the model number for the grinder pump unit.
The easement between Checkerboard and the owner was written to oversee flooding conditions of the detention basin. Ms. Paré noted that a problem could be created for the applicant if the Planning Board’s Approval is written to include only 601 parking spaces. In the event that the easement is rewritten to allow for more parking spaces, a condition should be added to the Approval allowing for future expansion up to 615 spaces.
Mr. Vignaly noted that he walked the site and, on the northern side where the pipe discharges, there are piles of sand in excess of 3’ high. This area needs serious maintenance. The southwestern corner near the Safety Council is full of sand and litter. Mr. Surabian stated that he has his staff go through the area and clean out the sand every year. Trash is picked up on a weekly basis, but people continually dispose of it. Ms. Paré inquired whether an Order of Conditions was issued by the Conservation Commission. It has been issued. Mr. Vignaly inquired whether the plan for erosion controls is adequate and Mr. Amico confirmed that it is. Mr. Salate inquired whether the applicant would consider expanding the sidewalks along Route 12. Mr. Surabian replied that these buildings are
being erected to deal with traffic problems on the site and for aesthetic purposes, not as a money-maker. Such an extension of the sidewalks would be too expensive to undertake for this project. Mr. Amico added that, for 200’ of a 6’-wide sidewalk (which would include moving the guardrail and getting the permit from MassHighway), the cost could be as high as $20,000. Mr. Vignaly asked whether the applicant would consider putting down crushed stone on the area where the sidewalk would otherwise be used.
Minutes of the Planning Board Public Hearing 3.
June 10, 2009 – Surabian Site Plan Review
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to close the public hearing but allow for further discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Healy will complete the final revisions to the plan and submit the mylar to the Planning Board for signature. Mr.
Amico will complete and submit his final review letter, with the understanding that there will be no further submittals. Mr. Salate will contact Mr. Gaumond on the topic of a sidewalk policy to be established between the town and developers.
Date Accepted:_____________ By:__________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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