MINUTES OF THE PLANNING BOARD CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
CAF REALTY: LIQUOR STORE, 21 FRANKLIN STREET
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW
JUNE 12, 2013
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Frieden, Chris Olson, Karen Paré, Vincent Vignaly
MEMBERS ABSENT: Patrick McKeon,
OTHERS PRESENT: David Femia, Wayne Amico, Michael Faucher, Lori and Dan Caravalho, Paul Sushchyk, Charles Faucher, Joe Evangelista, Ali Khorasani, John Grenier
All documents referenced in these Minutes are stored and available for public inspection in the Planning Board office, 127 Hartwell Street.
The continued public hearing was opened at 7:05 p.m. by the Chair, Mr. Frieden. Mr. Grenier submitted the tear sheets from the legal advertisement of public hearing published in the Telegram & Gazette, as well as the receipts from the certified mailings to the abutters. Mr. Grenier stated that he and Mr. Khorasani had met with Chief Minnich to try and resolve traffic issues at the site. It was agreed that the exit onto Franklin Street from the parking lot will be right turn only. It was also agreed to make the driveway access wider with a double solid line. The Stop Signs and One Way signs will be separate.
Mr. Khorasani explained how he recalculated the trip generation data. The use of trip rates for a Free Standing Discount Store that were used for analysis in the Traffic Impact Study should account for the worst-case scenario. It was assumed that all trips use the Route 12 driveway. The total number of trips entering and exiting the site is calculated at 93. The “Level of Service” for traffic exiting the street continues to be “C”. Therefore no traffic problems are expected at this driveway. Mr. Khorasani also submitted collision diagrams for the Board’s reference. Mr. Vignaly inquired whether two cars could be lined up to exit onto Route 12 at the same time, each going in a different direction. This would not be possible as there is only one lane for exiting, Mr. Khorasani
explained.
Mr. Amico described the review process. VHB’s first review was completed on April 29th. On May 20th, they received a response to the comments letter from Mr. Grenier, as well as a letter asking for a waiver from Section 3.6-E.9 of the Zoning Bylaws and a Stormwater Management Report. Copies of a Police Department Memorandum were also received as
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21 Franklin Street – June 12, 2013
well as a copy of a letter from the abutters, the Caravalhos. A Site Development Plan of nine sheets was also submitted. VHB responded to these submissions on June 6th and received Mr. Grenier’s further response letter today.
Mr. Amico stated that the Waiver request was reasonable (to allow the illumination security light in the rear of the building to extend five feet beyond the lot onto the property of the strip mall). The striping and signing met the requirements but a signage package should be submitted for any proposed building or standing sign. A condition of approval should be that a copy of the Mass DOT permit be submitted. The stormwater calculations were sufficient and the trip generation figures were analyzed on a conservative basis. It should be noted that no special events should be allowed during peak hours.
On page 19 of his June 6th review letter, Mr. Amico expressed the opinion that a white vinyl fence, as requested by the abutters, would provide a better screen from headlights shining onto the abutter’s house than the 5’ arbor vitaes being proposed. Mr. Grenier responded that expenses on the project keep piling up and the applicant feels that the cost of a fence would be prohibitive. Ms. Paré stated that the problem with arbor vitaes is that the parked car lights will still be shining onto the neighbor’s second floor, as the plants mature and spread, which could take years. Mr. Vignaly stated that he would like to see a fence ten feet back from the loading dock as well, to prevent the spread of trash. Mr. Sushchyk stated that his client won’t tolerate trash blowing around. The
applicant agreed to install a fence along the edge of the parking area.
The applicant has submitted a Stormwater Operations and Maintenance Plan but VHB also recommends that they submit a maintenance checklist twice annually to the appropriate town department. Mr. Sushcyck submitted copies of a letter and emails that were exchanged between him and West Boylston Square Realty Trust indicating that they were not interested in collaborating on a walkway between the mall and the liquor store. Although VHB recommended a guard rail be installed on the eastern side of the lot, given the 2:1 slope, Mr. Grenier stated that the applicant will install a six inch vertical Cape Cod berm instead. Mr. Vignaly asked that the Board then be given a cross-section of the slope where most of the cars will be parking. Mr. Vignaly also ascertained that there will be a shade for the lighting fixture and that the
basin will be constructed to be two-and-one-half feet from the bottom to the berm, in order to accommodate a 100-year storm.
Ms. Caravalho, 17 Franklin Street, stated that, in spite of assurances that the lines of communication will be kept open with the abutters, she has heard nothing from the applicant or his engineer. She and her husband have repeatedly asked for a fence and a guard rail. Mr. Caravalho stated that they asked for a fence from the get-go and also not to push snow down near the loading dock. The fence should extend all along the eastern side of the lot to help control noise, debris and keep kids from cutting through. Mr. Sushcyck stated that the fence “won’t decrease the noise” because the site is on a busy highway. Mr. Vignaly disagreed and stated that fences are used all the time to control noise on highways. Mr. Vignaly also questioned whether the applicant had considered installing
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sidewalks. Mr. Grenier and Mr. Faucher both replied that the cost is unaffordable. Mr. Evangelista added that they would be a safety hazard because they would be sidewalks to nowhere but the road. After consulting with Mr. Faucher, Mr. Sushcyck proposed a “wrap fence” to be continued down towards the loading dock, where the line of arbor vitaes is shown on the current plan.
Ms. Paré stated that new plans are now required to detail the changes discussed tonight. Mr. Grenier stated that the changes are not substantive and he will have them ready by tomorrow. At the next meeting, he will bring five copies to be signed. He was reminded to include a cross-section of the slope.
Upon motion of Ms. Paré and second of Mr. Olson, it was unanimously voted to continue the public hearing until June 26, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.. Mr. Vignaly will prepare a draft Approval for that meeting. He will note therein that in compliance with the General Bylaws of the town, the requirements of the stormwater regulations were reviewed and approved. Other conditions will include submitting a copy of the access permit from the DOT and the submittal of a sign package, when and if a business sign is installed.
Date Accepted:_________________ By:_____________________________
Patrick McKeon, Clerk
Submitted By:________________________
Susan Abramson
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