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TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER PLANNING BOARD
Unapproved Minutes
December 2,2003
Regular Meeting
Members Present: Alberto Angles,Chair,John Simons,Rick Nardella, George White,Vice
Chair,James Phinney,Associate Member,Felipe Schwarz, Clerk
Staff Present: Heidi Griffin,Acting Town Manner,Debbie Wilson,Planning Assistant
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:08
Executive Session-Nigro vs, Town of North Andover
Approval of the minutes
Motion by Schwarz to approve the November 181h Minutes as written second by PhinneDiscussion
none Motion carries 5-0
145 Andover By--Pass—NMF Design
Nobody was present for this discussion item.
Public hearing called to order at 7:40pm
New Public Hearings
No new Public Hearings
The Chair called the Public Hearing to order at 7:43PM
Continued Public Hearings:
Ea,alewood—Site Plan Special Permit
Ms. Griffin addressed the board and stated that revised plans were received last Wednesday and
architecture plans were received this afternoon. Karl Dubay, MHF addressed the board and
stated that he has reviewed the plans that were received last Wednesday. MHF received
architecture plans this past Monday. He stated that for the most part most of the items have been
addressed and there are still some minor issues regarding traffic and drainage that are still
outstanding. Attorney Manzi addressed the board to present his detailed architecture plans to
the board. Issues that were raised by the board last meeting were in regards to reviewing
alternate plans for this project. He stated that they have split the building in to two buildings and
stated that they should not have to present alternate site design changes since a tentative design
was presented at Town Meeting. Ira Beline addressed the board and presented a set of plans.
He presented pictures to the board from the Acton project to show them the building design. He
stated that at the Acton project the Trader Joe sign and Apple Bees signs are internally fit. An
overall view of the site was presented to indicate what the project would look like once
complete. Simons asked if internally lit signs were part of the plan design. Mr. Beline stated
yes. Simons stated that internally lit signs were not allowed as part of the zoning bylaw. Mr.
Beline stated that that was something that should be enforced by the building department.
Simons asked to see building sections as part of the plan presentation. Mr. Beline explained the
pitch of the rooffine and elevations. Simons asked if there were windows on the side of Retail
one. Mr. Beline stated that there are no breaks on either side. Mr. Beline stated that the addition
of windows would be based on the tenant and the use of the building. Mr. Beline stated that
most retailers do not want a window and would prefer to keep the wall solid. Nardella would
like to see a break up of the facade or detail to the architecture feature. Mr. Beline stated that
the building style would be metal and brick with fabric awnings. Nardella asked if the awnings
were plain and further stated that you could not put signs or logos on the awnings since it is not
allowed according to the sign.bylaw. Nardella asked what the end of the building was made of.
Mr. Beline stated it was synthetic stucco. Mr. Beline presented the lights that would be in the
parking lot and stated that they would use standard size fonts for signs to direct shoppers to the
store locations. He presented blade signs and will see if the building department would allow
them. The photometric plans were presented to the board to indicate that they are trying not to
throw light off of the site. Mr. Beline stated that there are three different buildings and there
will be separate sprinkler systems for each building. Schwarz asked how wide the sidewalks
would be. Mr. Beline stated that the sidewalks would be 10 feet wide. Simons would like to
see a nicer design facing the abutters. Simons asked how tall the building would be on the side
of the Royals. Mr. Beline stated 30 feet tall. Nardella asked how tall the new tree plantings
would be facing the Royal side of the property. Mr. Beline stated the plantings would be higher
than the six-foot fence and he has been in touch with the Royals to work with them for the best
plan possible. Schwarz asked about the retaining wall. Mr. Stevenson stated that the wall
follows the grade of the property. Simons asked how far from the property line does the
retaining wall appear. Mr. Stevenson stated that it was approximately 15 feet. Simons stated
that it could not be any closer than 15 feet from the property line. Mr. Beline presented building
material samples to the board so they could see the actual appearance of the building. Schwarz
would like to see a set of plans that show the project from street level. Angles asked about the
size of retail three and would it be any larger. Mr. Beline stated that it should stay
approximately the same as stated on the plans. Ross Hamlin addressed the board and stated that
there are two women in the audience from Pulte Homes. He stated that he had discussed the
landscaping issues with them and has resolved the Pulte Homes landscaping issues. Melissa
Kimball and Maureen Grates are here to represent Pulte Homes. Schwarz asked if they would
like to see a walking area in between the properties and it was stated no for security reasons it
would be best not to have a walking area between the buildings. They discussed a fence or
further landscaping to separate the properties. Mr. Royal addressed the board and asked about
the lights in the parking area. Mr. Beline stated that there are no lights facing the Royal home.
Ms. Griffin asked if the poles are damaged would the applicant maintain them. Ross Hamlin
stated yes. Nardella asked about the issue of shopping carts. Mr. Hamlin stated that shopping
carts would be monitored every 60 minutes. Nardella asked about window signs. Mr. Hamlin
stated that there would not be any signs in the windows. Mr. Hamlin stated they are not allowed
in the lease. Nardella asked to see the leasing covenants. Mr. Hamlin stated that he would
provide a copy of the lease covenants to the board. Nardella asked about snow removal. Mr.
Hamlin stated that the snow would be removed from the parking area. Nardella asked about the
49 parking spaces for future expansion. Mr. Beline stated that they are included in the total
number of 478 minus 49. Nardella asked about the parking deck. Mr. Stevenson stated that a
parking deck would be installed. Nardella asked that the parking deck be consistent on all of the
plans. 429 spaces will be constructed. Simons would like to address issues step by step at the
next meeting. Mr. Hamlin addressed the board and stated that he would like to open in
November 2004 and retailers would have to commit by January 2004. He wants to start
construction by late March and pull a building permit by early March. He stated that bids need
to go out and he is going into a time crunch and wants to have an approval within three to four
weeks.
This has been continued until the December 16th Planning Board Meeting
CVS--Rte 114 &Peters Street_-Site Plan Special Permit
Attorney Manzi addressed the board and indicated that a representative would be speaking from
CVS. William Starck from CVS addressed the board and presented the board with plans that
indicated a double drive-up. He indicated on the plans that a hip roof with two gable ends are on
the building to enhance the appearance of the building. Nardella referred to the November 18th
meeting minutes and read them to the board. Mr. Manzi stated that the board wanted to see a
four sided design change and he indicated that the plans represent this request. Brian
McAndrews addressed the board and stated that a death occurred in the office and he has taken
over this project for the applicant and is just getting up to speed. Simons stated that the building
design does not agree with the design of the area. Nardella stated that about four years ago the
owner of this site came before the board and asked the owner of the land or any potential
applicant to take a look at the Brooks project as an example of what the board would like to see
in this area. Phinney stated that the board is looking for more of a New England building style.
Mr. McAndrews addressed the board and stated that he will take the ideas of the board and go
back and prepare a new plan that looks more like the New England style the board is looking for.
Nardella suggested that he take a look at the Brooks project. Nardella stated that this is an
important corner of town and it would be important to see a better design for this type of
business. Schwarz suggested that plantings be incorporated into the plans. Schwarz asked
about the use of a two driveway entrance way. Mr. McAndrews stated that this would ease the
wait to drop off prescriptions. Mr. McAndrews also stated that there would be a drop off and
pick up window and that is why two drive up windows are required. Phinney asked about not
having the two drive through lanes. Schwarz asked about the tree. Mr. Manzi stated that they
have done a detailed investigation into the tree and the root system makes it difficult to keep the
tree and still have the building in this location. Nardella mentioned that possibly reducing
parking spaces and incorporating more landscaping. Ms. Griffin stated that the traffic proposal is
poor and needs to be addressed along with traffic mitigation. The applicant was instructed to
provide revised plans by December 91h at noon if they wish to be on the December 161h hearing.
This has been continued until the December 16th Planning Board Meeting
1003 Osgood Street—Site Plan Special Permit
Ms. Griffin addressed the board and stated that Chris Huntress was here to discuss the major concerns that
Ms. Griffin stated in her letter that was in the Planning board packets. Mr.Huntress presented a letter
addressing the concerns dated December 2'd. He addressed the parking and stated that a restriction on the
soccer field would be in place since the land where the soccer field was located would be leased to the
town for a nominal fee. The hours of the soccer field would be opposite hours of operation of the
proposed business for this location so that parking would not be an issue. Mr.Huntress stated that
traffic issues have been addressed. Mr. Huntress addressed the issue of zoning and indicated that he
spoke with the building department and he was under the impression that he did not need a variance. If a
variance were needed he would like to obtain a decision based on the fact that he may need to go to
zoning at a later date. Angles asked if the proper procedure would be that applicants should go before the
zoning department first. Ms. Griffin stated that it could be done this way since it had been done
previously this way with the Boston Ski Hill applicant. Mr.Huntress stated that the lighting is residential
in nature and will not shed light in the area of the abutters. He discussed the memo from VHB and
indicated he has addressed the issues. Karl Dubay, MHF addressed the board about the catch basins and
ponds. The applicant would like to have as a condition of approval that requires the applicant to secure an
approval of the final drainage plans from the North Andover DPW prior to the Planning Board's
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endorsement of the record plans. Mr. Huntress addressed the board and asked that the board close the
public hearing and the applicant could come back before the board in January for their final decision.
Simons asked if the entire location around the building was paved. Mr. Huntress stated not at this time.
Simons asked if the applicant had provided the Historic building preservation a letter of intent to modify
this historic building. Mr.Huntress stated it could be built in as a condition to the decision
This has been continued until the January 6th Planning Board Meeting
Motion by Nardella to close the hearing for 1003 Osgood, Site Plan Special Permit,second by
Simons Discussion none Motion carries 4-0
Motion by Nardella to close the public hearing for 1003 Osgood Street,Watershed Special Permit,
second by Simons Discussion none Motion carries 4-0
Motion to adjourn by White,second by Schwarz at 10:49PM Discussion none Motion carries 4-0
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