Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-25 Planning Board Minutes TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER PLANNING BOARD Unapproved Minutes November 25,2003 Regular Meeting Members Present: Alberto Angles,Chair,John Simons,Rick Nardella,George White,Vice Chair,James Phinney,Associate Member Members Absent: Felipe Schwarz,Clerk Staff Present: Heidi Griffin,Acting Town Planner,Debbie Wilson,Planning Assistant The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:08pm Discussion Items: 1. North Andover High School Rick Rice addressed the planning board to discuss whether or not a formal site plan must be submitted or a modification. Attorney Minicucci addressed the board and stated that the high school project is under budget and they would like to find a way to utilize the excess money in the best way possible. Mr. Minicucci would like to expand the field's availability. The proposal is for$750,000 for a new track at the middle school. The applicant proposes to modify the approved plans for both the northerly and southerly athletic fields. North Playfield: The newly proposed plan involves the construction of a synthetic material track and field complex where two soccer fields were originally to be located. The synthetic field will host a field hockey and soccer and a high jump and pole vault area. Also proposed are bleachers for 250 people,a scoreboard and retaining wall. South Playfield: reconfiguration of two soccer fields into one synthetic turf multipurpose football/soccer/lacrosse field that will be lighted. Bleachers proposed for 1200 people and a bleacher building with press box, concession stand,toilets and storage area. The new plans will result in an increase in impervious surface. Simons stated that the function and uses of the structure is what the applicant really need to address and stated that this is substantial enough change for the applicant to come back before the board.Nardella asked if any parking was lost with the improvements, Mr. Minicucci stated no. Angles asked if the artificial surface was pervious and it was stated yes.Angles asked about the access to Rte 125 and why would the road not be maintained? Mr. Minicucci stated that it could not be used due to conservation issues. Ms. Griffin stated that the applicant was required to file an Amendment to Existing Order of Conditions with the Conservation Commission.Nardella stated that in his opinion this project would not need a public hearing, White and Phinney stated that it was their opinion that the applicant would need a public hearing and the Chair concurred.Nardella asked the applicant to be prepared to answer how long the lights would be left on as part of their design submission for this new project. Mr.Minicucci stated that he would like to start the process so he would have a decision by early spring. Ms. Griffin stated that if he submitted the application next week they could get on the January 6th agenda. 2. Bond Establishment—Peachtree Subdivision Gerry Lynn Darcy addressed the board regarding the establishment of the Phase 1, Peachtree bond in the amount of$206,000.00 dollars. She stated that the bond agreement is an irrevocable standby letter of credit from Danvers Savings Bank and is slated to expire on December 1, 2005, The bond estimate for the Peachtree Subdivision prepared by Jack Sullivan was distributed to the board and concurs with the,$206,000.00 stated by Ms. Darcy, Ms. Darcy stated this is only for Phase I and the bank would not leave it opened ended with no date of expiration as Mr.Nardella previously requested. Nardella,stated that Gerry Lynn Darcy needs to be faithful in making sure the expiration does not exceed the two-year date stated by the bank. Nardella made a motion to accept the form of bond as submitted by Peachtree LLC, second by White Discussion none Motion carries 4-4 The Chair Opened New Public Hearings at 7:43pm 3. 1789 Great Pond Road Ms. Griffin addressed the board and indicated that all of the applicant's issues were addressed. Mr.Arnone addressed the board and presented new plans to indicate that the outstanding issues have been addressed. Ms. Griffin presented the new plans to the board for their review. Simons stated that the plans appear to have three houses coming out of one driveway and only two house lots would be allowed according to the Zoning Bylaw.Nardella reviewed the zoning bylaw and verified that only two homes could share a common drive. Mr.Arnone addressed the board and asked how he could make this lot conforming.Nardella stated that the lot is not in conformance with the zoning bylaw and indicated he may need to file with zoning. Angles suggested the applicant speak with the zoning department. Simons stated that the applicant might need to file a common driveway special permit. Angles asked Ms. Griffin to review the file and direct the applicant through the process of obtaining the proper applications whether he needs to file with zoning or further file with Planning. Angles stated that the applicant might need to file a variance with the zoning department. Nardella read the VHB comments to the board and stated that VHB missed the problem of the common driveway involving three homes. Angles stated that the applicant should work with Ms. Griffin to help resolve this issue. 4. Foster Farm Elements School Rick Rice addressed the board regarding the new school proposal. He stated a site walk had been conducted and all issues have been addressed by VHB. Ms. Griffin provided a draft "Memorandum of Understanding"and she recommend it be reviewed by town counsel prior to any votes being taken—it will allow a mechanism for the public hearings to be continued, and incorporate the conditions of the decision. Mr.Rice stated that the board wanted the applicant to consider placing a secondary emergency access along Boxford Street. Mr.Rice stated that an island could be introduced to offer a way out with two lanes. Nardella stated that he would like to see a second emergency egress other than the two-way island. Nardella asked about Foster Street. Mr. Rice stated the access to Foster Street is only a walking path that cannot be touched due to conservation issues.Nardella wants to see a second way of egress to satisfy the board Phinney raised the issue of the traffic in the area and he indicated that people use excess speed on the road and there have been many accidents in this area. Nardella asked if the applicant went before DPW to ask for sidewalks around the school zones. Mr. Minicucci stated that they did ask to see if they could get sidewalks around the schools. Simons asked about the letter of memorandum and how it would work. Mr. Rice stated that this is a way to keep the hearing process open since the school is not ready to be built yet. Mr. Minicucci stated that they are 5t" on the state list and they need to have the approvals in place in order to build the school within one year of the money being released. Ms. Griffin read the zoning bylaw regulations to the board to clarify why the level of memorandum was required.Nardella asked Ms. Griffin if this could be grandfathered to any zoning changes.Nardella also does not feel that it is reasonable to state that a decision will be issued within 45 days.Nardella asked Ms. Griffin to speak with town counsel. Ms. Griffin asked the board to review the waivers. Mr. Minicucci stated that once you are approved you have one year to start spending the money. Simons asked why this project was so different from the other school projects. Mr.Rice stated that they need the approval so they are ready to go when the state contacts them.Nardella asked why this was before the board at the present time when it cannot be built for seven years. Mr.Minicucci stated that it is a self- imposed process so that the permit process could be processed quickly.Nardella stated that it would be in the best interest of the applicant to withdraw without prejudice. A blank form was presented to the applicant for their review. Public comment: Norman Tidie is a resident that lives in the area and he stated that he is not comfortable with not having a second way of egress i i � � and agreed with Mr.Nardella. He would like to see a bridge over the conservation area to make it safe for the children. Mr. Tidie stated that he would like a second road be built out to Foster Street. He also stated that the school appears too big for the lot. He asked how many kindergartens in the school. Mr. Rice stated that they are proposing 7 kindergartens and 3 pre kindergartens. Nardella asked when they would reach the total needed for the goal of the 1925 students. Mr. Minicucci stated that they would reach the criteria very soon. Mr. Minicucci stated that only a certain amount of money was slated for the preliminary plans and they would not be completed prior to the applicant requesting an approval. Angles suggested the applicant review the withdrawal without prejudice form since the board will not approve an incomplete project Angles also requested Ms. Griffin verify with town council if the applicant were approved how would the extension process work since it appears the extension process currently in place by Planning would only carry the applicant for three years and the project may not be built for seven years. Angles stated this would be continued to the January 6'h,2004 Planning Board Meeting 5. 1.211 Osgood Street—Site Plan Special Permit Ms. Griffin addressed the board and stated the applicant has submitted revised plans addressing many issues discussed at the last meeting. The first thing was that the square footage of the building has been reduced,the dumpster has been relocated and the landscape island has been added. There are some traffic issues still outstanding. Mr.Daily addressed the board and presented the board with a new set of plans. Nardella asked about the concrete berm and Ms. Griffin indicated where it was on the plans. Jim D'Angleo addressed the board and indicated the access and entrance points for this location. He stated that the access has been reduced from four to two entrances and landscaping has been added to the parking area. They have worked with the improved lay out of Rte 125 so that the area could operate free of causing any traffic problems. Phinney stated that it appeared by the new plans that landscaping has been improved in the rear of the building, Nardella asked that the rear of the building be kept clean of cardboard boxes etc. and this be stated as a condition of their decision. Mr.D'Angleo showed the rear of the plans to the board members. Angles stated that the applicant has done a considerable amount to improve the site from the last meeting. Ms. Griffin addressed the applicant regarding her memo and asked the applicant to address the issues in regards to how snow removal would be addressed and she asked that the plantings be more specific. White asked about the landscaping along Rte 125. Mr. Daily stated that there is a hedge along the fence. Public comment: Mr. Alteria addressed the board and stated that he was happy with the changes that have been made and the improvements to the rear landscaping. Steve McMann stated that he would like to see a smaller building and would like to see the rear of the building be kept neat.Nardella stated that the decision could state that keeping the rear of the building clean would be part of the decision. Simons asked about VHB issues. Ms. Griffin stated that 90%of the VHB issues have been addressed and VHB will still need to see the revised plans. Angles asked about sidewalks for the area in front of the building.Ms. Griffin stated that a donation was made in the past to the sidewalk fund and this could be considered in this case. Angles asked about the soil evaluation. Mr.Daily stated that a soil evaluator did test pits and the design was done for the worse case scenario. Angles asked that the applicant respond to VHB questions. The board would like to hear about Landscaping for the island, lighting plans,#14 drainage issues and hours of operation. Angles stated this would be continued to the December 16th meeting. 6. 1003 Osgood Street—Site Plan Special Permit This has been continued to December 2nd 7. Motion by Nardella to approve the October 21"as amended and the November 18'h minutes as written,second White. Discussion none Motion carries 4-0 $. Eaglewood Update Ms. Griffin addressed the board and asked if the board would like to discuss the Eaglewood project and update her on the status. Simons stated that the representatives of Eaglewood have not addressed the requests of the board. Phinney stated that the traffic flow had been changed and the board felt the old plans were better. Simons stated that this project should not be rushed before the board since it is in the best interest of the town people to make sure this project is done correctly. Simons is not satisfied with the detention pond and he would like to see alternatives. Ms. Griffin stated that she had a meeting with Mark Rees and Ross Hamlin to discuss the outstanding issues. Angles stated that if the parking needs to be built out the applicant should clearly state this on his plans, Ms. Griffin stated that Eaglewood would be dropping off revised plans tomorrow. Ms. Griffin stated that Mr. Hamlin is looking for a decision by the beginning of the year. The parking on the side of the Royal home is still a concern and Simons would like to see why that area of the site needs to have parking spaces since they are far removed from the other parking. Simons would like to sce the applicant answer the questions the boards presented to them and he would like clarification of the retaining walls. Motion by Nardella to adjourn at 10:38pm,second by Simons Discussion none Motion "cries S-0