HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Board Recommendations - TOWN MEETING - JAB Planning Board Report May 2004
The Planning Board makes the following recommendations regarding the following Town Meeting warrant articles as
required by M.G.L. c.40A, Section 5 and Chapter 2, Section 9 of the Town Code:
Article# Description Recommendation
11 Capital Improvement Plan Favorable
These line items of the CIP include unaccepted roadway improvements, drainage, sidewalk construction, water main
rehabilitation, Sutton Hill Service Area improvements and new Bonny Lane sewer pump station.
17 Report of the Community Preservation Committee&Appropriation from Fund
Favorable
This article will allow Town Meeting to hear the report of the Community Preservation Committee and appropriate
money from the Community Preservation Fund for projects including Machine Shop Village Master Plan, Preservation
of Historical Town Records, Steven Library Stairs, North Parish Church, Stevens Estate, Sharpners Pond Fields,
Grogan Playground, HalfMile Hill, Carter Hill and Reserve for Affordable Housing.
18 Acquisition of Land,Kettenback Property known as"Half Mille Hill Summit"
Favorable
This article allows the Town to vote to acquire the property for the sum of$2,650,000 for open space protection.
19 Acquisition of Great Pond Road Lake Front Property adjacent to the Water Treatment Plant
Favorable
This article allows the Town to vote to purchase the land that could be used for future expansion of the Water
Treatment Plant.
20 Amend Section 8.8-Adult Use Zone of the Zoning Bylaw Unfavorable
This article proposes that applicants receive all necessary permits from Town Departments, including Building
Department, Planning Board, Conservation Commission and Board of Health prior to filing with the Zoning Board of
Appeals.
22 Planning Board Study of Land North of Route 125 and Sutton Street
Unfavorable
Petitioner is requesting the Planning Board study the above location for proposed roadway and traffic improvements
and to determine the highest and best use utilization of existing buildings, including Lucent. The Planning Board
voted unfavorably as this task is being undertaken by the established Zoning Task Force Committee comprised of the
Community Development Director, Town Planner, a member of the Planning Board, Zoning Board, Board of
Selectman and Conservation Commission and local citizens.
23 Tax Increment Financing Plan Favorable
This article proposes a Tax Increment Financing Plan for 1600 Osgood Street(Lucent) which allows the developer to
reduce all or a portion of the property taxes on the value of the improvements the developer makes to the property for
a period of 20 years. A specific plan is being proposed.
34 Amend Chapter 170 (Underground Utilities)of the General Bylaws Favorable
This article corrects an omission to the Bylaw and proposes to include an area along the former Essex Street from
Academy Road to Great Pond Road. This article will ensure that remaining overhead utilities in the Old Center will
be placed underground.
35 Petition of the General Court-Authorization of Utility Easement-Drummond Playground
Favorable
This article will authorize the Board of Selectman to grant a utility easement to Massachusetts Electric Company for
the property identified as Drummond Playground.
36 Petition of the General Court-Authorization of Utility Easement-Town Common Area
Favorable
This article will authorize the Board of Selectman to grant a utility easement to Massachusetts Electric Company for
the property identified as Town Common Area.
37 A Plan for Beaver Control and Associated Bylaw Unfavorable
The petitioner requests that Town Meeting vote to accept a plan as set out in the Beaver Flow Chart in addition to a
long-term management plan for landowners. As written, the plan is vague and conflicts with the state regulatory
process for managing beaver occupied sites and proposes the potential trespassing onto private property.
38 Section 4.2 Phased Development Bylaw Favorable
The article proposes the deletion of the existing language and replacing it with revised language which incorporates
language of the Growth Management Bylaw (proposed to be deleted). The Bylaw restricts the development rate of lots
to provide for high quality and reliable municipal services including fire,police, educational facilities and clean water
resources.
39 Amend Zoning Bylaw-Delete Section 8.7 Growth Management Favorable
This article proposes to delete the section in its entirety. Language from the Growth Management bylaw will be
incorporated into the revised Phased Development Bylaw.
40 Amend Zoning Bylaw Sections 4.122 Residence R-4 Zoning District(Permitted Uses)Paragraph
14 Favorable
The article proposes amendments to Section 4.122 of the Bylaw by now requiring that all new two family dwellings
and conversions from one to two family dwellings obtain a Special Permit from the Zoning Board ofAppeals.
Conversions from one to two family dwellings must comply with specific design limitations.
41 Amend Zoning Bylaw Section 9.3 Pre-Existing Non-Conforming Single and Two Family
Residential Structures and Uses in the Residential 1,Residential 2,Residential 3,Residential 4 and Residential 6
Districts(Non Conforming Uses) Favorable
The article proposes to eliminate the word "two family"from all Sections of 9.3. By eliminating the words, an
applicant will be required to obtain a Special Permit from the Zoning Board ofAppeals when making any alterations
to a non-conforming two family structure. The applicant will not be eligible for the exemptions highlighted in Section
9.3.
42 Amend Zoning Bylaw: Add New Section 4.3 Section Residential Adaptive Re-Use Special Permit.
Favorable
The article proposes to create a new section within the Bylaw which will allow residential lots that directly abut non-
residential lots to convert to a commercial use or mixed use upon obtaining a special permit from the Zoning Board of
Appeals and Planning Board. The Special Permit will allow landowners to create a transition between residential and
commercial uses. Permitted uses are identified within the article and the applicant is not allowed to significantly alter
the existing structure.
43 Amend Zoning Bylaw Section 4.137: Delete and Replace with FEMA Language Favorable
The article proposes to replace the existing language with amended language. Upon review of the Bylaw,
FEMA suggested amended language to include references to updated maps, correct state department addresses and
inclusion of a definitions section.
44 Amend Zoning Map Parcels fronting Waverly Road and Route 114-Assessors Map 27 Parcels 16, 17,
18,19,20,21,23,24,25,and 26(Zoning to GB by Hector Rivera) Unfavorable
The article proposes the rezoning of the properties from R-4 to General Business. The Board voted unanimously for
an unfavorable recommendation as rezoning of the 10 parcels to GB could result in the development of several
noxious uses on the property including gas stations, automobile repair shops and fast food restaurants. The Planning
Board is endorsing a separate article,Article 46, which proposes the property to be rezoned to a newly proposed
zoning district that would be suitable for the property.
45 Amend the Zoning Bylaw by Adding a New Section-Section 15 Planned Commercial Development
District Favorable
The article proposes the creation of a new Zoning District, which allows limited commercial uses and excludes noxious
uses including gas stations and fast food restaurants. Several of the uses will be required to obtain a Planned
Commercial Development District Special Permit. Lot area requirements and dimensional setbacks are outlined in the
article.
46 Amend Zoning Bylaw Section 3.1 Establishment of Districts(Zoning Districts and Boundaries)—
Adding Planned Commercial Development District and Amending Table 1 and Table 2 of the Zoning Bylaw
Favorable
The article proposes to include Planned Commercial Development District within Sections 3.1 and Table I and Table
2 of the Zoning Bylaw.
47 Amend Zoning Map Parcels fronting Waverly Road and Route 114-Assessors Map 27 Parcels 16, 17,
18,19,20,21,23,24,25,and 26(From R-4 to PCD) Favorable
The article proposes to rezone the parcels from R-4 to the newly created Planned Commercial Development District
Zone. The referenced parcels are those proposed to be rezoned to General Business by Hector Rivera. The Planning
Board endorses the rezoning of the property to PCD as it will prohibit noxious uses and numerous curb cuts.
48 Amend Zoning Map-Office Building 1060 Osgood Street Intersection of Route 125 and 133-Assessors
Map 35 Parcel 29 from I2 to B2 Favorable
The petitioner proposes the rezoning of his site from 12 to B2.
49 Roadway Acquisitions: Coachman's Lane,Concord Street,Easy Street,Highland View Avenue,
Morningside Lane and Russet Lane Favorable
The article authorizes the Board of Selectman to acquire the unaccepted streets.
50 Roadway Acceptances: Foxwood Drive and Weyland Circle Favorable
The article allows the Town to vote to accept the roadways as public ways.
51 Roadway Acceptances: Avery Park Drive No Recommendation
The article allows the Town to vote to accept the roadways as public ways. The developer has been working on
completing minor outstanding work on the site and the Planning Board has deferred recommendation until all issues
have been addressed. Planning Board will present their recommendation at Town Meeting.
52 Roadway Acceptances: Stonewedge Circle No Recommendation
The article allows the Town to vote to accept the roadways as public ways. The developer has been working on
completing minor outstanding work on the site and the Planning Board has deferred recommendation until all issues
have been addressed. Planning Board will present their recommendation at Town Meeting
53 Roadway Acceptances: Webster Woods Lane No Recommendation
The article allows the Town to vote to accept the roadways as public ways. The developer has been working on
completing minor outstanding work on the site and the Planning Board has deferred recommendation until all issues
have been addressed. Planning Board will present their recommendation at Town Meeting