MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 13, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patricia Halpin, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Wayne Amico,
INSPECTION REPORTS
Gerardo’s: The foundation of the building has been poured.
Hillside Village: Nothing further has been received concerning the detention basin. Mr. Staiti never received the engineer’s report from the Condo Association.
Angell Brook: Mr. Amico convinced Mr. Staiti to delay further paving until Spring.
Surabian: No further traffic issues have been reported. VHB has heard nothing from Thompson & Liston re: inspection reports which they were supposed to have been transmitting to the Planning Board and VHB. He will contact Mr. Healey.
American Red Cross: As-builts have not yet been submitted. Mr. Amico will contact their engineer with a request that they submit as-builts now so the project can be closed out. Mr. McKeon suggested that, if there are problems getting developers to submit as-built plans after completion of their projects, perhaps the Planning Board should consider requiring them to post a bond at the start of the project to cover the as-built design. Mr. Amico made a further suggestion that the Approval contain language that states that the Planning Board will rescind the Approval if the as-built plan is not submitted within so many months. Ms. Halpin suggested that the issue be brought up and discussed with other members of CMRPC at their upcoming meeting.
REZONING ROUTE 140
Ms. Paré stated that she is not in favor of rezoning Route 140 to a limited industrial district. A new zone could be created, Mr. Vignaly suggested, as there are already some light businesses on that stretch of road leading up to the railroad (Temple Street). The town center should also be rezoned. If new railroad activity occurs, it should not be allowed in a single or general residence zone. Mr. Salate noted that there are two railroads which traverse the area: the Worcester/Providence that goes from Norton Co.
Minutes of the Planning Board Meeting 2.
January 13, 2010
to Holden and the Guilford Line (now PanAm) which goes to Ayer and Barbers Crossing in the other direction. A lot of Route 140 could be worked into a Village Zone district, Mr. Vignaly suggested. Ms. Halpin suggested that having a “streetscape” designed would aid the Planning Board in illustrating to residents what it envisions for a new zoning district. Perhaps a student at Clark University or WPI could take on this project for credit. Ms. Paré stated that the Planning Board first has to have a clear idea of what it wants to do before proceeding any further. The area under study would be from Goodale Street down to the railroad tracks on Temple Street.
CLUSTER ZONING: The discussion of Cluster Zoning was postponed until the next meeting.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
ZBA: Mr. Salate and Ms. Halpin attended the meeting of the ZBA at which the Oakdale Chapter 40B was discussed. The developer wishes to change the nature of the development to private condos, of which only 25% will be classified as “affordable” and count towards the town’s required 10% affordable housing market. The ZBA voted to approve the change. Mr. Salate stated that, if all 40B projects only yield 25% affordable units, the town would need about 1,000 new housing units before it reaches the 10% goal. Ms. Halpin noted that she understands more money is going to the state, earmarked for affordable housing, and this town should be making plans to use some of it to develop its own affordable housing units.
Housing Partnership: Trish Settles from CMRPC will be coming to the February 17th meeting of the Housing Partnership. Mr. Vignaly suggested that the Planning Board members speak with Ms. Settles about how the town can go about managing and operating an affordable housing complex. The town needs a “Housing Plan” to encourage the Housing Authority to build a LIP or Chapter 40B on town property on Maple Street, or property owned by the Meola’s on Route 12.
MINUTES/BILLS
An invoice from VHB for engineering services was approved for payment. Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to approve as written the Minutes of the December 9, 2009 Meeting of the Planning Board. At 9:30 p.m., it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:____________ By:____________________________
Karen Paré, Clerk
Submitted By:______________________
Susan Abramson
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