MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
HELD SEPTEMBER 9, 2009
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairperson Lawrence Salate, Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Joseph Evangelista, John Grenier
DISCUSSION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR INCENTIVE HOUSING
Ms. Paré presented for discussion a draft “Rules and Regulations of the West Boylston Planning Board for Incentive Housing Special Permits”. She stated that a public hearing will need to be held once the Board has revised this document. Revisions and deletions discussed tonight will be made to the draft and discussed again at the next meeting of the Board. In particular, Ms. Paré will review the Zoning Bylaws to see if the Planning Board needs added authority to charge fees for the application review. It was decided that the applicant needs to submit seven copies of the application to the Board of Selectmen, Housing Partnership, Housing Authority, Town Clerk, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Building Inspector and the Planning Board. Additionally, Ms. Paré will contact Mr. Gaumond in order
to obtain models of the Regulatory Agreement, Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (deed rider) and Monitoring Services Agreement, which form Appendix A. of the document.
DISCUSSION OF CONCEPTUAL PLAN: EVANGELISTA
Mr. Joe Evangelista, owner of a parcel of land on the corner of Franklin and West Boylston Streets, attended the meeting with his representative, Mr. John Grenier, who had prepared a conceptual plan for the parcel. Before proceeding, Mr. Evangelista requested input from the Planning Board on the plan. It includes a gas station with eight pumps as well as a convenience store with a drive-thru window for coffee, etc. The store will stock groceries and sundries. The building consists of 3,200 sf with parking in front as well as eight additional spaces on the Franklin Street side of the lot. Mr. Evangelista acknowledged that he will be applying for a Special Permit from the ZBA for the drive-thru window and a permit from the Board of Selectmen for the gasoline tanks.
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September 9, 2009
Ms. Halpin noted that the Chapter 40B project will be directly behind this area and screening will be necessary. Ms. Paré stated that this is a terrible location for a gas station as traffic at that corner is heavy and there may be a need for a traffic light. A traffic study will be necessary. Mr. Evangelista stated that he needs to either sell or develop the property and the town does not need another strip mall. Mr. Vignaly noted that access would be better if traffic flowed in from Route 12 and out onto Franklin Street. He stated that parking in front of the building is a problem and suggested that just one street be picked to be front. Ms. Paré added that a gas station is not something that will add to the beautification of Route 12, which is a goal of the Master Plan. Mr. Evangelista stated that
it will not be necessary to file with the DCR. Mr. Vignaly said the project is situated near a wetland and an existing stream, so a wetlands biologist should review the plan. Mr. Evangelista stated that all utilities are available and this is an allowed use with a Special Permit under the Bylaws. This would be a great location for a Town Hall, Ms. Halpin noted. Mr. Evangelista stated that he would be agreeable to talking with some members of the Municipal Planning Committee and see how they view the idea.
HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN
The Town-wide Planning Committee agreed to sign the Agreement with CMRPC to use their services to produce a Housing Production Plan. The CMRPC will meet with various stakeholders in the community, probably one representative per Board, to gather their input. Mr. Vignaly stated that CMRPC won’t actually start the project until October but will send a package of materials to the town to start gathering information. Mr. McKeon stated that the Plan is estimated to take 180 days to complete. Ms. Paré noted that the Planning Board does not want to take over this project but will work to assist the Housing Partnership in the effort. An email was received from Mr. Gaumond, responding to some of the question raised by the Planning Board following their discussion at the last meeting. It seems that there
is a need to get the numbers for the construction and sales of existing affordable units. The ZBA’s responsibility is solely for comprehensive permit applications, not the monitoring of affordable housing, which is the responsibility of the Housing Partnership.
Ms. Paré stated that the Housing Partnership and the Housing Authority met with the Town Wide Planning Committee (“TWPC”) at their last meeting. According to the Housing Authority at that meeting, there is a long wait for the affordable housing on Maple Street. There are only twelve units there for families and the Housing Authority has no plans to expand at the site. Ms. Paré also reported that a member of the TWPC discussed other ways to increase the numbers of our Subsidized Housing Inventory besides building units. It is possible to rehabilitate or reuse existing housing using a “project-based Section 8” certification. While normally the Section 8 certification follows the resident, in this case the certification would stay with the project. The town is currently
benefitting from the presence of Section 8 project-based housing that, while counted in West Boylston’s numbers, is monitored and maintained by Worcester.
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September 9, 2009
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
Master Plan Update: Ms. Paré reminded the members of the Board that they are to meet with the Town-wide Planning Committee on October 6, 2009 to discuss updating the Master Plan, particularly, the Land Use Section. She stated that this is to be an update, not a complete rewrite. Ideas on updating will be discussed at the next meeting of the Board.
Open Space Implementation Committee: Mr. Vignaly stated that members met with the Agricultural Committee and it was a productive meeting. The Agricultural Committee has some new ideas, including a community garden.
OLD BUSINESS
16 Woodland Street: The application for Site Plan Review from 16 Woodland Street was formally withdrawn and will be resubmitted after plan modification and application before the ZBA.
NEW BUSINESS
Municipal officials are invited to a DEP Stormwater informational gathering in Oxford on September 15th.
On September 24th, there will be a workshop at Mt. Wachusett Community College on “Understanding and Preparing for Chapter 61 Right of First Refusal Opportunities”.
MINUTES/BILLS
An invoice was approved for payment to VHB for engineering review services. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the August 12, 2009 Meeting.
At 9:20 p.m., upon motion of Mr. McKeon and second of Ms. Halpin, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:____________ By:__________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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