MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING
JULY 11, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Frieden, Patrick McKeon, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Richard Hayward Jr., Robert Oliva
All documents referenced in these Minutes are stored and available for public inspection in the Planning Board office, 127 Hartwell Street
SUBMISSION OF SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION: CLINTON SAVINGS BANK, 306 WEST BOYLSTON STREET
Mr. Rob Oliva and Mr. Richard Hayward attended the meeting in order to present an application for Site Plan Review for Clinton Savings Bank, 306 West Boylston Street, the site of the former Friendly Ice Cream. They submitted the requisite filings fees, plans and application package. There will be a drive-up teller and ATM. Impervious pavement will be reduced and there will be no change to the curb cuts. Approval has already been received from the Conservation Commission. The public hearing was set for August 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
242 WOODLAND STREET: DISCUSSION OF INSPECTION ISSUES
A temporary occupancy permit has been issued for this site. At the June 13th meeting, Paul Conger, the developer, promised that he would submit to the Planning Board, by their meeting on June 27th , all outstanding documents and plans required by the Approval and the construction letter. Nothing has been received. Mr. Frieden will write him a letter telling him that he is in violation of this agreement and needs to submit all required documents by July 25th or the Planning Board will make arrangements for VHB to complete the missing inspections at his expense. Copies of the letter will be sent to the Building Inspector and the Town Administrator.
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SIGN BYLAW: DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
While researching digital signs, Ms. Paré stated that she found most towns prohibit them altogether. She stated that she does not want flashing signs and believes that they should not be changing their message every few seconds. Gas stations and movie theaters have legitimate reasons for having such signs because they need to change their message frequently. Mr. McKeon noted that they are expensive and doubts that the town will be inundated with applications for digital signs. An agreement was reached to permit the digital signs to be changed no more than three times per day and not lighted between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Banners were discussed as well. Light pole banners, the “town” banner and the sign on the town common will all be allowed. Mr. Vignaly queried whether their size should be limited to less than nine sf. Ms. Paré stated that the size of banners should be consistent and limited to the Business District. Under “Definitions”, “Banner” should be added and defined as a temporary sign, Ms. Paré suggested. Ms. Paré will research language used to define “town signs”.
Mr. Frieden suggested that there should be a section added on “non-allowed” signs, such as those described under “Item D. General Requirements, number 1.” which includes “No moving inflatable signs”. Under an “Allowed” section, Mr. Frieden suggested putting banners (such as those hung by the Municipal Lighting Plant), town signs and gas station signs.
Temporary/moveable sign permits may be issued to individual businesses by the building inspector for continuous periods of 30, 60 or 90 days but not more than 90 days in the aggregate per calendar year. In no case shall a business center sign exceed a total area of 80 square feet.
HOUSING PRODUCTION PLAN: DISCUSSION OF DRAFT
Mr. Vignaly presented and prepared a draft Housing Production Plan for the Board’s input. Ms. Paré’s comments included a suggestion that the chart on page 3 should include a graph with the percentage of change comparing Massachusetts, West Boylston and the USA, with the rate of change from 1970. The paragraph on the same page which starts “The town-wide population density…” contains the assertion that…”The population within the town is unevenly distributed.” Ms. Paré questioned where this data came from and suggested that data is needed to support this assertion. Table 4. on page 4 needs to be amended to show the correct number under the “Change” column. Ms. Paré asked how many units overall were permitted? On page 5, the paragraph
about Orchard Knoll will be moved to page 18, under “Subsidized Housing”. Table 6. on page 6 will not be included.
The first paragraph on Page 7 needs to be clarified in speaking of “relative hardships” for income earners over $100,000. Ms. Paré questioned the use of the word “Benefits” on Table 8. on the same page. Table 9., on the next page needs to define what the poverty
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level is now considered . Franklin Village is not included in the numbers of housing units discussed on Page 8. Mr. Vignaly stated that he will make the suggested changes and send out a “red line” version for review.
NEW BUSINESS
July 18, 2012: The Planning Board members will meet with the Board of Selectmen at 6:30 p.m. to elect a fifth member of the Planning Board. At 7:45, a member of CMRPC will be present to make a presentation about the “Central 13 Prioritization Project”.
August 15, 2012: The Planning Board has been invited to join the Board of Selectmen in a discussion of “sewer capacity issues”.
REPORTS FROM OTHER BOARDS: There were no reports from other boards.
PAYMENT OFINVOICES/REVIEW OF DRAFT MINUTES OF JUNE 27, 2012
An invoice was approved for payment to VHB for engineering services. Upon motion of Mr. Vignaly and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to approve as amended the Minutes of the June 27, 2012 Meeting.
At 9:40 p.m., upon motion of Mr. McKeon and second of Mr. Vignaly, it was unanimously voted to adjourn.
Date Accepted:______________ By:__________________________________
Patrick McKeon, Clerk
Submitted By:_______________________
Susan Abramson
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