HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-22 Additional Correspondence MEMORANDUM
TO: North Andover Planning Board
FROM: Heidi Griffin, Community Development & Services Director
RE: Site Plan Review—CVS Pharmacy—Route 114
DATE: November 13, 2003
The applicant proposes a 13,013 square foot building to be utilized as a pharmacy with a drive-
thru prescription window, and also proposes an accompanying 1,755 square feet of mezzanine
space. This mezzanine space will not be utilized for retail purposes.
My review is as follows:
SITE PLAN REVIEW:
i. NORTH ARROW/LOCATION MAP: This has been provided.
ii. SURVEY OF LOT/PARCEL: This has been provided.
iii. NAME/DECRIPTION OF PROJECT: This has been provided.
iv. EASEMENTS/LEGAL CONDITIONS: Easements have been provided on the plans.
Specifically, there is a 15' wide water easement and a 10' roadway widening easement
along the frontage of the parcel on Route 114.
V. TOPOGRAPHY: Both proposed and existing topography has been provided on the
plans.
vi. ZONING INFORMATION: Zoning information has been provided. The lot was
rezoned from Business 4 to General Business at the May 2003 town Meeting. Also, the
plans note that variances were granted for the 100' building setback from Route 114, as
well as the 50' parking setback.
vii. STORMWATER DRAINAGE: Please see attached review performed by the Town's
consulting engineer.
viii. BUILDING LOCATION: The building location has been provided.
ix. BUILDING ELEVATION: Building elevations have been provided. The building
is proposed to be 38'8" to the ridge of the building. The roof ridge will be dove gray
clapboard siding with white louver, and fiberglass/asphalt roof shingles. The remainder
of the majority of the building is plantation blend brick,
With clear, storefront windows and tempered glass. Either colored architectural
renderings or color samples should be brought to the public hearing for clarity for
aesthetic purposes and to better visualize what the building will look like.
X. LOCATION OF PARKING/WALKWAYS: 74 parking spaces are required under
the zoning bylaw. The applicant has provided 77 parking spaces. However, the
parking summary chart indicates that 71 spaces are required while the note
underneath indicates 74 are required. The plans should be revised to reflect what is
required by the bylaw.
From a practical standpoint, it appears to me that the parking spaces located directly in
front of the building on Route 114 could be problematic. It appears as those two or three
of those parking spaces could be eliminated to avoid this confusion. For example, my
concern would be someone leaving those parking spaces would attempt to turn right
and try to exit via Route 114. This would occur where traffic is entering the right-
turn only lane from Route 114, as well as traffic leaving the drive-thru pharmacy
lane and there appears this may optimize the chances of an accident. Elimination
of those parking spaces would not require zoning relief as the applicant would still
be conformance with the zoning bylaw.
The snowpile stock areas are denoted in three locations on sheet C-3; one is located
in a travel lane adjacent to the drive-thru pharmacy lane; another is located where
there are 16 parking spaces located along Route 114; and the final is located on the 9
parking spaces located along Peters Street. The concerns would be that the
snowpile stock areas are in locations that are needed on the site for travel lanes for
emergency access and needed parking areas. Tlie snowpile stock areas should be
located somewhere on the site that will not impede access or paarldng.
A. LOCATION OF WETLANDS/NOTICE OF INTENT: There are no wetlands
located within 100 feet of this project as such a filing with the Conservation Commission
is not necessary.
Xii. LOCATION OF WALLS/SIGNS: Retaining walls have been identified.
xiii. SIGNAGE: I have reviewed plans for wall signage as that is what has been submitted.
We do not have any site signage as of yet. There is a typical "CVS Pharmacy" sign
underneath the top of the roof ridge. The colors on the plan indicate that the
background of the sign will be "CVS White" encased by a border of the color "Old
Glory". Accompanying signs entitled "Food Shoppe", "I Hour Photo"and"Drive-Thru
Pharmacy are smaller signs that will have brick behind the signage and are metal sign
panels with exterior wall pack lights centered over the brick above the sign panels. It
would be helpful if the applicant will bring either color samples or colored architectural
renderings to the public hearing to visualize what the signage will look like from an
aesthetic standpoint.
xiv. LOCATION OF ROADWAYS/DRIVES: There are two proposed driveways for
access and egress to the site. The main access drive is a 25' wide proposed driveway
entering from Peters Street. Traffic can enter and exit from this drive, and there is a
proposed stop sign for the exit lane. Additionally, two additional exit driveways are
proposed on Route 114. They are each 20' wide and are right-turn in and right-turn out
only.
The traffic study indicates that trucks will only enter the site from the Peters Street
driveway and will exit via the right-out only driveway onto Route 114. The applicant
should provide an internal truck circulation plan that ensures the trucks can turn
adequately throughout the site.
xv. OUTDOOR STORAGE/DISPLAY AREAS: There is no outdoor storage being
proposed.
xvi. LANDSCAPING PLAN: The landscaping plan incorporates a large amount of trees
and shrubs along the perimeter of the site. [white and Australian pines 5-6' in height,
crabapples and pears 3.54' in height, etc.] However, there are only 3 crabapple pear
trees between the property and the First Methodist Church. I believe this is due in part to
the retaining wall that encompasses the remainder of the two property lines.
xvii. REFUSE AREAS: A fenced in dumpster is located to the left of the property,
adjacent to the Eagle-Tribune property and appears to be in a reasonable location. The
dumpster is screened by 7 white pine trees also as a buffer to the adjacent parcel.
xvi. LIGHTING FACILITIES: There is both wall lighting and stand-alone lighting on
site. The wall lighting is an adjustable wall mount with clear, tempered flat glass, and is
fully enclosed and secured with an aluminum lens frame with stainless steel hardware.
The stand-alone lighting is arm-mounted with formed aluminum housing and doors.
The applicant has also provided a lighting plan on the final sheet of the plans. The plan
reveals that 29 lights are planned in total for the site, combining wall and stand-alone
lighting. There are two twin-mounted lights, while the rest are single mounted. The
luminaire plan reveals that lighting will not glare onto adjacent properties.
xvii. DRAINAGE SYSTEM: Please refer to VHB's report for more details on the drainage.
A subsurface detention system is proposed under the 28 parking spaces that front along
Route l l4. I would like to also concur with the Department of Public Works if this type
of detention system is acceptable to their standards for maintenance, etc.
xix. TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY: The project will require an access permit fiom MA
Highway but has not yet been submitted. However,the applicant has submitted a traffic
impact study. I will include the full review done by our traffic consultant, but for
simplicity, I have cut and pasted what I considered to be the more imperative comments:
• The trip generation assignment assumed a pass-by percentage of 25 percent. This assignment
is consistent with EOEA/EOTC guidelines. It should be noted that based on ITE data,
average pass-by rates for pharmacies could be as high as 49 percent during the weekday
evening peak hour.
• An evaluation of on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation should be completed with
regard to the proposed development and adjacent tenants. This analysis should include
a plan depicting the turning and circulation requirements for delivery vehicles entering,
exiting and within the site along designated delivery routes.
• The addition of project related traffic to the study area roadways and intersections was shown
to result in an increase in motorist delays, volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratios over anticipated
fixture conditions with the proposed project (Build conditions) at the intersection of Salem
Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street, No miligation or responsibility for
inkifigation has been identified at this intersection, Mitigation should 1)c identified along
with any right-of-way constraints. By identifying improvelnents that will increase
capacity, the town of North Andover will have avaluable planning tool to wise to assess
the project's impacts, as well as other projects along the Sale wit 1'urnpike corridor.
• Preliminary design plans should be prepared for recommended improvements in order
to evaluate the extent of the improvements and impacts to adjacent properties. No
Highway Plans have been provided for review.
• Detailed sight-distance measurements (stopping sight distance and intersection sight
distance) were not provided in the report. Sight distances should be evaluated for the
site driveway intersections at Salem Turnpike and at Peters Street
Site Plan
• A truck delivery plan should be prepared for the site depicting proposed truck routes.
The plan should include an evaluation of the turning and maneuvering requirements for
delivery vehicles using AutoTurn(D or similar computer model.
No significant capacity improving measures have been identified for the intersection of Salem
Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street, which currently is projected to be impacted by the
project. Mitigation measures should be identified, knowing that right-of-way will be required, so
that the town of North Andover has a planning tool to use to assess this project. The Traffic
Memorandum also states that measures could be implemented to help alleviate impacts with
potential queuing at the site driveway on Peters Street. These measures are in all likelihood
required to prevent queues from blocking through traffic on Peters Street.
.1 believe the above coinnient is the One I have the most conc.erns about. Theapplickint has noted in
d1eir traffic impact Study that Nierrimacic Salle y 11anning Commission's 'I"ransportation Plan
identified as bridge wideninfp project to the west (11F tile, study area on Route 114 and this has been
fisted on the MA Ifighway 'I'll' fisting. But, this is not fisted as a current project on the '111).
Also, the Town of North Andover applied for a Public Works Economic I)eveloputent grant back in
20,010 thal was not funded. Clearly, iiie "rown of North Andover has noted this intersection, as well
as traffic on Route 1114 is crucial and identified as an area O' congestion and the filcelihood of then
PWED Grant or the TIP bdng AnWed are n9nimaL ne traRic impact stul, pmvWed by the
appkant indkoftes that 39 accidents occurred from 1998 through 2000 at the Peters Str6eVIRoule
114 intersection,
11nnHy, the app%nt noks in their traffic stucly that "possible strilming improvegnents on Peters
Stmo, whkh wonki ben across to the We, are noted later hi this docunient ind will be d6cussed
m4th NIA Ifighway Omni town ofh6mis during the Access Perini! ivvieev pracess". It iq)pears to ine
that the Planning Board should emphasize to NIA Mghway and the proponent that modified
striping, oft Peters "itreet be designed to, furlher enhance the access as a result of Hie trallc enteiing
and exhing the proposed CVS Pharmacy.
xviii. UTILITIES: These have been provided on Sheet C-4 of the plans. The project
proposes to tie into existing water and sewer lines on Route 114. 1 will defer to the
Department of Public Works and MHF for additional comments of capacity and flow.
xix. FISCAL IMPACT: Although a full fiscal impact study has not been provided, it was
projected at town meeting that the resulting tax revenue to the Town of North Andover
would be approximately $78,000 per year. Clearly, it is easy to determine that a vacant
parcel being used for commercial purposes is going to be a bonus to the town. However,
the applicant should detail what portion of those funds would actually be a net gain to the
town after factoring in school expenses, etc. I can find a sample of one done in the past
and provide the applicant with a model they can utilize.
xx. COMMUNITY IMPACT: The applicant has submitted a community impact
statement from a registered architect. I would concur that the project as proposed meets
the criteria of this requirement as outlined in his statement.
October 27, 2005
Ms. Mary Ippolito
Town of North Andover
Office of the Planning Department
Community Development & Service Division
400 Osgood Street
North Andover, MA 01845
Dear Ms. Ippolito:
We are in recite of your letter addressed to Don Smith of Saxon Real Estate
Partnets regarding the CVS Stone Wall. D.F. Pray, Inc. job Superintendent Dan
Bearse cell phone number 508-916-1238 will be contacting you this week to
set up a walk thru and to correct the wall.
If you have any questions please feel free to call me at 508-336-3366 ext 107
Sincerely, --Y
Michael Burke
Senior Vice President
cc: Don Smith
Dan Bearse
MAB/dc
Send VIA FAX (978)-688-9542
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
7003 3110 0005 2001 0254
Building
A"Yeellence
Since 19.59
0:\1MikeB\CVS\CVS North Andover NiA\Ltr. to N4. Ippolito Plan'g Dept. 10-27-05,doc
25 ANTHONY STREET SEEKONK, MA 02771 TEL 508-336-3366 FAX 508-336-3384
1X/WW.DFPRAY.00M
11/08/2006 12:00 FAX 508 946 1390 SAXON REAL ESTATE 0 001
PARTNERSa�
200 Oak Point Drive Middleboro,MA 02346 C f
Tel;(%8)947-3535 Faw.(508)99-1390
Facsimile
Ta: Mn Ippolito Prom: Donald Smith
Fax; (978)6W-9542 pages- 1
Rot CVS—corner of Rio 114 and peter ft eeet Deta: November 3,2006
CC:
®Urgeet 0 For Review [3 Please Comment 0 please Reply
i ®Commentsi
Dear Ms. Ippolito,
As we discussed earlier today, we wanted to matte sure that the Town of North Andover doesn't have any
outstanding permit issues with the CVS stare at the corner of late 114 and peter Street-
We acquired this building two years ago after it was permitted and constructed by a company associated with
the Eagle Tribune. At the closing, money was withheld from the seller to ensure that outstanding eonstnrAon
items would be completed property. We have delayed the release of that money due to two issues:
1) the stone wall began to fail almost immediately,
2) we were told that there might be an issue about the construction of a sidewalk in front of the Eagle
Tribune building.
The wall was recently repaired and appears to be in good shape. Since it has been 2 years without any
l complaints, I expect that the sidewalk 6 probably not an issue either—but I wanted to check In with you.
i
Our understanding of the sidewalk issue is as follows: (1) the original CVS permit may have included a
requirement to extend the sidewalk in front of the Eagle Tribune building. (2)The new shopping center across
the street from the Eagle Tribune than filed for permit, and their permit included expanding the roadway to a
width that was beyond where the sidewalk would have been installed under the CVS permit. (3)The shopping
center widened the road, but didn't install any sidewalk In front of the Eagle Tribune building citing that the CVS
construction should have included that sidewalk(which seems like an illogical position since the road widening
work was done on top of the sidewalk location—so any sidewalk would have been removed anyway).
We would like to release the escrow to the seller—but just want to make sure that we won't receive a call the
next day that the town is looking for us to Install a sidewalk in front of the Eagle Tribune building (to connect to
the new shopping center's pedestrian crossing light).
' I hope this all makes sense and I apologize for asking you to spend time on something that quite likely is not a
problem. We just wanted to make sure that the town has no issues with the work completion prior to closing out
our transaction with the seller.
Please do not hesltate to call with any questions.
Thanks,
Don