MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
APRIL 14, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Lawrence Salate, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patricia Halpin
OTHERS PRESENT: Matthew O’Toole of Construction Dynamics, Gerardo Sarli
Mr. Salate called the meeting to order at 7:10 p.m.
GERARDO’S ITALIAN BAKERY
Mr. Sarli and his contractor, Mr. O’Toole joined the board to discuss changes to their Approved Site Plan for the business center they are constructing on Worcester Street. The Approved Site Plan calls for the relocation of an existing house on the property to the rear of the lot. Now they proposed to demolish the house and pave the area in the rear where the house was to be relocated. The mortgage holder expressed concerns that the presence of this old house on the property would make it difficult to rent the business spaces and rather than being a financial plus, it would be financially harmful.
The board agreed that demolishing the house actually makes for a better plan on this lot of limited size with wetland restrictions. Since there will be no increase in impervious area, there is no need to revisit the storm water design. Mr. O’Toole noted that the utilities for the house that were on the original plan will also not be constructed and that they plan to add parking where the house was to go. The rest of the Approved Plan remains the same.
Mr. O’Toole will provide a sketch of the new layout on the site and a cover letter with the intended changes: the house will be demolished and the utilities for the house not constructed; they will pave and stripe the area instead; there is no increase in impervious area. All of these changes will be included on the As-Built Plans.
Mr. Sarli discussed the issue of making use of the paper streets on either side of his property. He is anxious that these areas be improved so that they don’t detract from his new property. The board urged him to work with the owner of West Boylston Seafood who is working to resolve the legal ambiguities with the “owner unknown” properties. It would be better for all concerned if the abutting businesses could make use of these small parcels and the town could get taxes on them. He was advised that if he wants to add parking to the north, he will need an amended Site Plan review. Mr. Sarli also expressed his desire to bring in more diverse and upscale businesses to the town. He was advised to consult with the Economic Development Task Force to see
if they could help him in this regard.
CLUSTER ZONING
Mr. Vignaly provided the board members with an edited version of the Incentive Zoning Bylaw. He has re-worked the current bylaw into a new bylaw called Residential Cluster Incentive Development. The intent is to provide a mechanism for “cluster” developments, where the buildings could be clustered close together leaving larger areas of open space, and combining that with requirement to provide affordable housing. The board reviewed the draft document and discussed the implications and details of the proposed bylaw.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS
OPEN SPACE IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE: Mr. Vignaly reports that the OSIC has filed their Annual Report. They are continuing to work with the Greater Worcester Land Trust (through Mr. George Bernardin) and the West Boylston Water District (WBWD) to acquire the 5.4 acre Kent property on Lee Street to place this land under some form of development restriction. The property was appraised by an independent appraiser , and the owners currently expect a larger sum, so negotiations are still underway. The appraised value is the maximum that can be allotted under the CPC. The WBWD is willing to contribute to the purchase to protect the town wells adjacent to the land and there will probably be some private fundraising. The program at the MA DEP for source water land
acquisition will be investigated and may provide a grant for up to 50% of the appraised value of land and it is expected that the Department of Conservation and Recreation would support a request to the DEP under this program. However, given the economic conditions in the commonwealth, this program may not get funding this year.
At the last meeting of the Community Preservation Committee, the committee voted to allocate all of the money in the general fund as well as the $83,000 in the Open Space allocated fund for the Goodale Park Project. It was later determined that the 10% set-aside for open space is not eligible to be used for a recreation project. The CPC will meet again before the May Town Meeting to re-vote the amount to be requested for the project on the warrant.
ZBA: The board has received a copy of the ZBA report on their action on the Hanioti application at their March 11, 2010 hearing. The reports on their actions on the Manor Variance Application and the Franklin Street (3) Special Permits and Variance Application, also on March 11, 2010, have not yet been filed with the Town Clerk. At the public hearings on March 11, the ZBA voted to deny the Manor’s Variance request and to grant the Franklin Street Variance but deny all 3 of the Special Permits.
MEMBERSHIP
Mr. Vignaly was re-elected to the board for another 5-year term at the April 6th election. Since Ms. Halpin was not present, it was decided to wait until her return to re-organize the board.
MINUTES/BILLS
Upon a motion by Mr. Vignaly and a second by Mr. McKeon, the minutes of the Planning Board meeting of March 24, 2010 were approved as amended. Upon a motion by Ms. Paré and a second by Mr. Vignaly, the minutes of the Planning Board Continued Public Hearing for the Star Tower Application for a Special Permit and Site Plan Review on March 24, 2010 were approved as written. Upon a motion by Mr. Vignaly and a second by Mr. McKeon, the minutes of the Planning Board Continued Public Hearing for 16 Woodland Street Application for Site Plan Review on March 24, 2010, were approved as amended. Upon a motion by Mr. Vignaly and a second by Mr. McKeon, the minutes of the Planning Board Joint Meeting with the Housing Partnership on March 16, 2010 were approved as amended.
One invoice to VHB for services to Star Tower was paid.
Upon a motion by Mr. McKeon and a second by Mr. Vignaly, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.
Date Accepted: _______________________ By: ___________________________
Karen Fenerty Paré, Clerk
Submitted By: ________________________
Karen Fenerty Paré
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