MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD PUBLIC HEARING
WACHUSETT REALTY LLC: SITE PLAN REVIEW, CLINTON SAVINGS BANK,
306 WEST BOYLSTON STREET
AUGUST 8, 2012
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Frieden, Patrick McKeon, Chris Olson, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Richard Hayward Jr., Robert Oliva, Christian Klein, Wayne Amico, David Femia
All documents referenced in these Minutes are stored and available for public inspection in the Planning Board office, 127 Hartwell Street
The public hearing was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Rob Oliva from David Ross Associates represented the applicant, Wachusett Realty LLC (Clinton Savings Bank). Mr. Oliva submitted the requisite receipts from the certified mailings to abutters of the Notice of Public Hearings, as well as the tear sheets from the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. The Notice was published on July 25th and August 1st. Mr. Oliva discussed the scope of the project. The building renovation at 306 West Boylston Street will house the Clinton Savings Bank. An ATM machine and teller drive-up window will be added to the south side of the building. The parking lot will be regraded to accommodate these additions. A large landscaped island will also be added at the rear of the south parking lot. Concrete walks
will be added and one ramp will be made handicapped accessible. Two parking spaces on the north side lot will be handicapped accessible, out of a total of 24 parking spaces. Application has been made to the ZBA for a Special Permit for the drive-up window and a hearing will be held on August 23rd. The Conservation Commission has already reviewed the project and issued a negative Determination with conditions. The DCR also reviewed the plans and found them to be exempt.
Mr. Frieden asked whether, with the regrading of the parking lot, car lights might be angled such that they shine into the back neighbors’ yards. Mr. Oliva stated that, due to the tree line and the slight grade change, the effect should be minimal. A retaining wall will be
Minutes of the Public Hearing 2.
August 8, 2012 – Clinton Savings Bank
constructed at the rear of the property where adjoining property slopes to the parking lot. Mr. Vignaly questioned the stability of the wall and if there is adequate space at the top.
Mr. Wayne Amico from VHB, Inc. addressed the Board. His original review letter was issued on July 26, 2012. On August 7th, Mr. Oliva responded with a letter requesting certain waivers from the requirements of Site Plan Review and, with another letter, responded to issues raised by VHB in their review letter. Mr. Amico stated that the applicant needs input from the Board before he prepares his final plans. Mr. Amico first reviewed the letter requesting waivers. He is satisfied with the first two requests (contours provided at 1’ intervals and lines of existing abutting streets and driveway locations). In support of the third requested waiver, the applicant supplied architectural plans with the application package. Under Section 3.6-E.2, Mr. Amico agreed that traffic islands were not
necessary within the two driveways. A painted yellow divider line will clarify access and egress to the site.
The waiver from Section 3.6-E.5 requests that parking spaces within the 10’ front-yard setback be retained because they are an “existing condition” and this project is a “change in use”. Retaining these spaces will also limit the amount of construction on the site. Ms. Paré stated that she preferred not to see parking in the setback, because it is not allowed under the town’s Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Oliva replied that he is concerned with removing the spaces because it will require more construction. The applicant is trying to reuse the site and building, not build new. Mr. Vignaly noted that there is also parking within the setback in the north lot. The Planning Board requires 18 parking spaces and 24 are now proposed. Mr. Vignaly agreed that he also wants
the four spaces out of the front setback. The Planning Board is trying to improve the appearance of Route 12 and moving the spaces further back will help by having a grassy area closer to the street. The paving is in the state right-of-way at one point. Mr. Amico suggested that more employee parking could be created on the upper edge of the south parking lot. Ms. Paré inquired whether 24 spaces will be enough? Mr. Hayward, representing Clinton Savings Bank, stated that he believes 24 spaces will suffice. Stop signs and “Do Not Enter” signs will be added to facilitate interior flow.
A waiver from Section 3.6-E.8, requiring drainage calculations showing compliance with DEP Stormwater Guidelines, was also requested. Mr. Oliva argued that the total impervious area will be reduced and therefore peak rate and volume of runoff will be reduced. He stated that, as a redevelopment project, the work will not be held to the same standards as a new project. The project meets Stormwater Guidelines ”to the extent practicable”. He stated that a redevelopment project needs to meet standards 1, 8, 9 and 10 only. In the area under reconstruction, Mr. Amico stated, all standards need to be met (solids treated). It is the Planning Board’s decision whether they wish to require calculations for the entire site. Mr. Oliva stated that it all “comes down to the TSS removal rate”. The island has been added and, with the requirements of an Operations and Maintenance Plan, the site will be kept swept, which will also improve TSS removal. Mr. Vignaly stated that the Planning Board
needs something to show that the standards are being met to the maximum amount possible and that conditions are being improved. The
Minutes of the Public Hearing 3.
August 8, 2012 – Clinton Savings Bank
whole area drains to a single catch basin on Route 12. Many basins along Route 12 get overloaded during a heavy rain period. He stated that the applicant should give the Board something to show that the basin can handle the flow, i.e. a quantitative number. Mr. Vignaly also inquired how the ground will be treated where the pavement is removed. After years of being impacted by the cement, it needs to be aerated if grass will successfully grow on the site. He requested that the Board be shown how new vegetative areas will be treated. Mr. Vignaly noted that this was successfully done at the Dairy Queen by creating two depressions (small ditches) to slow the run-off.
Mr. Klein, architect for the project, pointed out that there is an existing sidewalk along Route 12 which is almost buried under grass, due to disuse over the years. If the sidewalk is deemed to be functional, a 30’ walkway will need to be built, connecting it to the building, in order to be in compliance with handicapped accessibility regulations. Mr. Oliva pointed out that the sidewalk is not on land owned by the applicant. Mr. Vignaly urged the applicant to consider improving the sidewalk and stated that it would be an “easy” application to the state to get the improvement to the sidewalk approved. Mr. Amico stated that, if the sidewalk is improved, it will not need to be maintained by the bank. He urged Mr. Oliva to think about a sidewalk proposal and present it to the Board at the next meeting.
Mr. Amico then discussed the location of the traffic signs, including the two stop signs. He noted that vegetation will provide a good buffer for the abutters. In the south end of the lot, there is a tall bush screen and at the back, a tree line comes to the pavement. No landscaping is proposed at the northern end of the lot. Small decorative trees are proposed for the island. Ms. Paré requested that some small decorative trees be added along the land abutting the south parking lot. Mr. Oliva stated that he would consider this, but was concerned with screening the ATM, making it a security issue. Mr. Vignaly stated that dumpster screening should not be a chain link fence, but Mr. Hayward stated that a dumpster may not be needed.
Ms. Paré then read the Notice of Public Hearing and comments received from other town boards or departments. Approval of the project was received from the Building Inspector, the Police Department and the Board of Health. Mr. Frieden inquired whether there were any questions from the audience. Mr. David Femia, 86F Sterling Street, asked why the bank was moving. Mr. Hayward stated that the new location would provide more room for the bank’s operations and would add more parking.
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. McKeon, it was unanimously voted to continue the public hearing until September 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Date Accepted:________________ By:________________________________
Patrick McKeon, Clerk
Submitted By:_________________________
Susan Abramson
| 
