MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING
JULY 8, 2009
AMERICAN RED CROSS PARKING EXPANSION
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Robert McLaren, Tony Pini, Robert Claise, Dan Feeney
Mr. Salate opened the Public Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Robert McLaren from the American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts introduced himself and Mr. Pini and Mr. Claise from the Red Cross and Mr. Feeney from Beals and Thomas. He explained that the Red Cross is proposing to expand the parking lot at their property at 2000 Century Drive. The Red Cross provides training to the public in a number of health related areas which are proving to be popular. Attendance at these classes has strained the capacity of the existing parking lot causing people to park on the grass and in the aisles. They are proposing to add additional parking spaces to handle this overflow.
Mr. Dan Feeney, from Beals and Thomas addressed the board and displayed the As-Built plan from the building project completed in 2004. The Red Cross is located on a 5-acre site in the Century Drive subdivision. Currently there are 80 parking spaces on this site. The parcel was “Master Planned” for the handling of stormwater during the subdivision approval.
The proposed project calls for the addition of 25 new parking spaces along the northern edge of the existing lot, bringing the total to 105 parking spaces. Twenty-three of these spaces will be perpendicular parking, with 2 parallel spaces. Two new light fixtures will be provided as well as 3 new red maple trees. The plan also calls for re-stripping of the handicap spaces and adding one more handicap space, increasing the number to 6 in according with ADA standards.
Mr. Feeney noted that the original project was reviewed by the Conservation Commission in 2003 but this proposed change does not require an additional review by the Commission since the work is outside of the buffer area. In addition, the project does not require Earth Removal Board permission since it falls under the exemption provided in the General Bylaw.
Mr. Feeney explained that the new parking spaces will be created by cutting into the hill on the northern side of the site. Test pit borings and subsurface investigations indicate that the bedrock can be avoided in this construction. However, if bedrock is encountered it may be necessary to re-configuration of the parking spaces from perpendicular to parallel. The applicant is requesting that a condition be added to the approval that would allow them to modify the orientation of the spaces and notify the Planning Board.
Wayne Amico, of Vanasse Hangen and Brustlin, reviewed the submitted plans and provided a letter to the board dated June 23, 2009 concerning the site plan application and the additional materials supplied by Beals and Thomas during the review. In this letter, Mr. Amico recommended approval of the plan with six conditions, five of which have since been met by the applicant:
- The applicant submitted revised sheets C5.1, C5.2 and C5.3 at the meeting.
- The applicant submitted an Erosion Control Plan on June 30, 2009.
- The applicant submitted to the board copies of the supplemental material that was provided to VHB.
- The applicant provided the photometric exhibit for the 2 proposed lighting fixtures.
- The applicant confirmed with information from the site work contractor, P. W. Brown, that the requirements of the Earth Removal Bylaw were met.
The final condition concerned the possible re-configuration of the spaces from perpendicular to parallel if the onsite conditions require.
Upon the motion of Ms. Paré and second by Ms. Halpin, the board voted, all in favor, to close the public hearing.
Date Accepted: _______________________ By: ___________________________
Karen Fenerty Paré, Clerk
Submitted By: ________________________
Karen Fenerty Paré
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