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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-18 Planning Board Minutes Planning Board Meeting Date Approved By PB Department of Public Works April 18, 2000 Members Present: Alison Lescarbeau, Chairman Alberto Angles Richard Rowen Richard Nardella John Simons William Cunningham Others Present: Heidi Griffin, Town Planner Bill Hurciak, Director of DPW Jim Rand, Director of Engineering Amy Salomon, Planning Secretary The Planning Board meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. Discussion Historic Center Roadwa Prgkct: Bill Hmurciak explained the old center project. He stated that the proposal was presented to the Old Center Study Committee. He stated that the consulting engineer is Britton Associates. He stated that the Town is in the preliminary stages of the plan. He showed the Board the existing conditions and the proposed modifications. He stated that the roads need to widened in order to receive MA Highway funding. Mr. Rowen stated that he personally likes the existing road layout. It was the consensus of the Planning Board that they will make a favorable recommendation for the proposed plan at Town Meeting. 262 S. Bradford Street—Proposed Subdivision: Tom Zhouriko, proposed developer, explained the project to the Board. Mr. Rowen stated that this would be a 2 lot subdivision, therefore you would need to build a road and build two lots off the road. He stated that it must be proved that this subdivision is buildable according to our current regulations. Public Hearings 475 Dale Street: Ms. Lescarbeau explained why the Public Hearing was re-opened. She stated that an abutter contacted the Board and stated that he never received the original decision. Peter Hatem, representative for the applicant, stated that the issues are straight-forward. He stated that he is before the Board to ask that the decision be re-issued. Mr. Rowen stated that the best thing to do at this point is re-issue the decision. He asked Ms. Griffin if the decision could be re-issued as originally made? 1 .g Planning Board Aril 18 2000 Page 2 Ms. Griffin stated that it could. Mr. Simons moved, seconded by Mr. Angles, and voted 3-0 to re-issue the DENIAL for the Watershed Special Permit for 475 Dale Street. Chatham Crossin : Ms. Lescarbeau opened the Public Hearing by reading a letter from H. Sandy and Joanne Brown, abutters. (see attached) Ms. Lescarbeau stated that she apologizes if some abutters may not be able to attend this evening's meeting, however Public Hearings must be held on the advertised date. The only exception would be if it coincides with a Town election, which it did on March 215` Bill McCloud, engineer for the applicant, explained the proposal to the Board. He stated that the applicant, Jeffco, proposesto build two streets that will have duplex houses on them. He stated that all lots comply with frontage and area. He stated that the Conservation Commission has determined that there are no wetlands on the land. He explained that they propose to build an underground drainage detention area. He stated that many subdivisions use detention ponds, which are very unsightly as well as dangerous. He stated that the system they are proposing will be towards the front of the development, along Andover Street. He stated that the size of this system is 80' x 40' and it will be covered by 12" of topsoil. He stated that it can support the weight of a large truck. He stated that they are proposing a vinyl post and rail fence around the area. He stated that this system will more than adequately control all of the drainage. He stated that he knows of two of these systems that are working in Methuen. He stated that this is a relatively new system in this part of the country, but that it is popular in other parts. Mr. McCloud stated that 10' buffer will be added along the rear of the property. Doug Ahearn, Jeffco, stated that the feedback he has received form the neighbors is that they are more happy with a buffer than a fence, although a fence may also be constructed. Mr. McCloud showed that elevations. He stated that each lot will be its own condo association, and that there needs to be unanimous approval for exterior changes such as a new roof. Ms. Lescarbeau asked if lanterns will be provided. Mr. Ahearn stated that they will be provided. Dermott Kelley, traffic engineer, explained the traffic study that was done for the subdivision. He stated that 8,100 vehicles pass this street on a typical day. He stated that he used data for single family homes, since this uses more vehicles than duplexes would use. He stated that the toal number of trips is 14 in the morning and 22 in the evening. Ms. Lescarbeau asked if a traffic island is proposed for the entrance. Mr. Kelley stated that there is no island proposed. 2 Planning Board Aril 18 2000 Pae 3 Mr. Rowen asked is traffic backs up during the morning and evening rush hours in front of the proposed road. Mr. Kelley stated that, at worst, people exiting the street may have to wait for 2 traffic cycles in order to exit. Mr. Rowen asked how far away the Franklin School is. Mr. Kelley stated that it is approximately 800' —900' from the proposed road. Mr. McCloud stated that the names Chatham Circle and Nantucket Drive have been approved by the 911 operator. He stated that the houses will be numbered ahead of time. He stated that Nantucket Drive is 450' long and Chatham Drive is 410' long. He stated that the existing stone wall will be maintained, in addition to as many trees as possible. Bill Morin, 165 Berkeley Road, stated that the water table on Berkeley Road is very high, and that he is concerned with the loss of trees. He stated that he request that funds be put in escrow to compensate for any basement flooding. He stated that the more trees that come down, the higher the water tables. He also asked if any fill will be brought in. Mr. McCloud stated that test pits were dug, and the water table at the rear was 5'/z and it was 71/z at Andover Street. He stated that one side of Chatham Circle will need to be raised to be on the same level as the rest of the development. He stated that there will be less trees, but he stated that the drainage system will actually over-compensate for this. Carolyn Proulx, Berkeley Road, asked if the drainage system can accommodate 30,000 gallons per day. She asked if the houses will have basements. Mr. McCloud stated that no basements are being proposed. He stated that the drainage system can handle much more than this amount. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that the function of the outside consulting engineer is to ensure that there is no additional run-off from any new developments. 0 Mr. Morin asked if a bond can be placed for drainage problems. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that a bond cannot encompass anything outside of the development. Mr. Rowen stated that that is why the Town hires an outside consultant. Mr. Morin stated that this leaves him with no r"ourse. Mr. Rowen stated that, as a citizen, everybody has a recourse. He stated that the Board will do all they can to ensure that this project is done correctly. 3 ,� Plannin Board Aril 18 2000 Page 4 Ms. Proulx asked if the abutters could be allowed to go on the land and do their own test pits? 6 Mr. McCloud stated that they could not. Ms. Proulx asked what they will do about the decrease of the bats that live in the trees that will be removed. She sated that they eat mosquitoes that may carry diseases. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that anyone can put up a bat box in their property to house bats. Ms. Proulx stated that she was told that tonight's meeting was going to be tabled. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that this is not true. Ms. Proulx asked if another Public Hearing could be held with the Conservation Commission. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that Conservation has no jurisdiction over this property, since it has been determined that there are no existing wetlands on it. Eva Mackay, 181 Berkeley Road, asked if the Board takes into consideration the marketability of a proposed development. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that the Board looks at the aesthetics of the houses, how they fit into a neighborhood. Ms. Mackay asked what happens if it affects the value of their homes. Mr. Rowen stated that no one has the right to prevent someone from building on this piece of land. He stated that anyone could have bought this and built on it. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that if% of these homes are estimated to sell for $250,000, them that says a lot for the value of that area. Mr. Simons stated that the Board has three responsibilities: 1) Does it conform to Zoning Bylaws, 2 Does it comply with Board of Health regulations, and 3) Does it conform with the Subdivision Rules and Regulation. B Ms. Proulx stated that she is concerned that the Board does not seem concerned about their R property values, drainage problems, and loss of trees, among other things. u Ms. Lescarbeau stated that the Board has a responsibility to ensure that every subdivision meets that necessary conditions and that it does not adversely affect the existing conditions on abutting properties. Mr. Rowen moved, seconded by Mr. Mr. Angles, and voted 4-0 to continue the Public Hearing to May 16, 2000. 4 J� Street Acce tante Recommendations Mr. Rowen moved, seconded by Mr. Nardella and VOTED 6-0: That the Planning vote to recommend favorable action on the following streets for Town Meeting—Copley Circle, Cobblestone Circle, Meadowwood Road, Sky View Road, Holly Ridge Road, Ridgeway Road and Wild Rose Drive. Mr. Nardella moved, seconded by Mr. Cunningham and VOTED 6-0: That the Planning vote to make a recommendation at Town Meeting for the following streets being proposed for street acceptance: Rosemont Drive, Copley Circle, Peterson Road, Bucklin Road, Huckleberry Drive. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Alberto Angles, Planning Board Clerk i I I 3 a e