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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-06-21Pla~a~ng Board X~nu~es ~une 2L~ ~994 8en~or Cen~er The meeting was called to order at 8:20 p.m. ~embers Presen2 Richard Nardella, Chairman, and Alison Lescarbeau, Associate Member. John Simons arrived at 8:20 p.m. Also present were Kathleen Bradley Colwell, Town Planner and Karen Nelson, Director of Planning and Community Development. Love Property - Proposed Subdivision Info~mal discussions began at 7:45. Mr. Thomas Neve gave those members present the following presentation: Property located between Duncan Drive and Foster Street 50.5 acres total parcel existing horse farm on site use existing right-of-way from Duncan Drive to get to horse farm Mr. Neve presented a conventional subdivision plan. New road from Duncan Drive to corner of Wintergreen and Foster, extend from that road a 700 ft. cul-de-sac. 2 acre lots with 1 1/2 acres of upland 14 lots total wetlands on property, main upland area near farm wetland crossing would not be required as there is an existing crossing to get to a horse corral. Mr. Neve presented a PRD Plan. Would initially donate a parcel of open space to Town - 6 acres non-buildable lot with wetlands take this parcel out of PRD calculation for open space (Parcel A) give 15.1 acres of open space as open space for PRD (Parcel B) Proposes to take farm out of PRD and put an agriculture restriction on the farm (15.4 acres) Lot A and B and Farm = 36 acres of open space out of 50.5 acres (73% of site) 12 acres for actual construction Ms. Nelson questioned if all lots were accessible over legal frontage. Mr. Neve stated that Lots 4, 5 and 14 may require common driveways in conventional plan. [NOTE: Ms. Colwell to get opinion from Joel Bard as to how much upland is required for frontage.] Mr. Neve stated that all lots have been "perked" and deep holes done on both conventional and PRD lot layout for septic systems and wells. There was a discussion regarding ability to use farm in calculation of number of lots given that developer wants to preserve the farm. John Simons arrived at 8:20 p.m. There are 13 lots in the PRD, the 14th lot is the farm. Mr. Neve stated that he could take farm out of conventional plan but would then lose lots. Mr. Neve requested a site walk before the next Planning Board meeting to identify issues. Ms. Colwell and Mr. Richard Doucette, Conservation Administrator, will walk the site before the next meeting. Attorney John Willis stated that the Board may want to check on ability of Town to tax wetlands, Town may end of owing property anyway if landowners fail to pay taxes. Mr. Simons commented that you can add wetland areas into lots, then they are taxed. Mr. Neve spoke on the PRD. 25,000 to 35,000 sq.ft, lots in the PRD no variances would be required may need a waiver from the Planning Board on the length of the cul-de-sac The Planning Board meeting opened at 8:30 p.m. Due to a lack of quorum to discuss anything related to a Special Permit or a subdivision, the Board continued all agenda items except discussions of the Campion Hall bond to June 28, 1994. Bond Ms. Colwell stated that the neighborhood requested that the Planning Board review amount Town is holding for subdivision and items remaining to be completed. Mr. George Perna, Director of D.P.W., need to review the 1989 punch list and go through items, will meet with neighbors to go through punch list and make sure all items of concern are addressed. Mr. Lou Eisenberg, Campion Road, questioned what was done last year with bond money. Ms. Nelson stated that the money was spent to do an As-built Plan and stone bounds were set. Some drainage issues have been addressed by repaying. Ail the work had been inspected by D.P.W. staff. Mr. Eisenberg concerned about what could be done with the Campion Hall Building, it's messy and dangerous. Ms. Nelson was requested by the Chairman, to have the Building Department and Health Department review status of the pool, no fence around it. Mr. Eisenberg stated that there was a gasoline tank in the ground on the property. Mr. Perna stated that the Town is looking at what can be done with the building, want to have input from the neighbors as to what to do with the property and buildings. Mr. Nardella stated that D.P.W. will address punch list and concerns of the neighbors. Publio Hear[nq~ Coventr~ Estates II - ~od~flcation of Sidewalk, Mr. Simons read the legal notice to open the public hearing. Mr. Simons read a letter in the file to the Selectmen, dated May 1, 1994. Lancaster Road neighbors opposed sidewalks on Blue Ridge Road. List of signatures. On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Simons, the Board voted to continue the public hearing to July 5, 1994 meeting due to a lack of a quorum. The Board members present then held an informal discussion with the neighbors to understand their concerns regarding opposition to sidewalks. Mr. Joseph Fusco, 299 Blue Ridge Road, asked the Board to elaborate on need for sidewalks. Mr. Nardella stated that sidewalks should be constructed on all roads surrounding the new school for public safety. Ms. Judith Epstein, 200 Blue Ridge Road, stated that people have landscaped to the roadway and paid a lot of money for landscaping, were told that a berm and not a sidewalk would be constructed, detract from the appearance of the houses. Mr. Nardella pointed out that sidewalks would be constructed within the Town right-of-way, not on private land. A resident of 53 Lancaster Road expressed concern that this is an expenditure of money that could be better used elsewhere, concerned about cost of maintenance, children have room to walk on roadway, not a high traffic area. Mr. Nardella has heard concerns regarding sprinkler systems in lawns, developer will be required to regrade any lawns and fix sprinkler systems. The resident of Lancaster Road stated that children have been walking to school with no problems for four years. Ms. Epstein stated that the road is wide with natural curvature which slows the cars down, not a dangerous road to walk on. Mr. Nardella stated that the Town has to look at the long term needs of the Town, this street is a connecting road from Dale Street to Salem Street, the traffic will increase. A resident of 265 Blue Ridge Road stated that a grass strip only makes sense where there is a curb, otherwise grass strip is destroyed by plows. Mr. John Valentino, 338 Blue Ridge Road, stated that the Police Chief reviewed the traffic issue and stated that there are no problems, no need for sidewalks in subdivision. Mr. Valentino stated that if requested., the Chief would put this in writing. Ms. Emily Hoffman, 236 Summer Street, stated that there are more dangerous roads outside of this subdivision where sidewalks should be constructed. Mr. Simons stated that under certain circumstances the Board has requested developer to donate money to the sidewalk fund. Generally this has occurred in the watershed, where there are a lot of wetland crossings, and on short dead ends. Mr. Nardella stated that in the future, the Planning Board wants to ensure that sidewalks are put in every subdivision before people have landscaped. There was a question to Mr. Perna as to how construction of sidewalks be handled. Mr. Perna stated that the Town is spending tax dollars to put sidewalks where they are required in other areas. This subdivision will need sidewalks in the future, therefore they should be put in now. D.P.W. is working on plans to put sidewalks on Salem, and Abbott Streets and Marbleridge Road. A sidewalk is needed on Blue Ridge Road because the children of the neighborhood will use it to walk to the new school and it will have higher traffic in the future. Mr. Simons stated that long term needs are there for sidewalks, soccer fields have been constructed at the Town Farmwhich connects to this subdivision. This is a through road with a high traffic potential. Mr. Perna addressed issues of the actual construction of sidewalks. will be placed such that it enhances property Town will maintain it, will plow it as staff allows located along the left side of the road from Salem Street to South Bradford Street with a 3 foot grass strip Ms. Epstein expressed concern about person who falls on the sidewalk and the liability. Mr. Perna stated that the Town has the liability of anyone injured on Town property. Attorney John Willis was present on behalf of First City Development, developer brought issue before the Board on request of neighbors, sidewalk requirement appeared on the original subdivision plan, developer obligated to build a sidewalk. Mr. Nardella asked when these people purchased their lots, what was shown on the plan? Ms. Colwell stated that a meandering stone dust pathway on the left-hand side of the road from Salem Street to Blue Ridge Road was shown on the roadway cross section detail. Sidewalks are a requirement in the Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Attorney Willis stated that the developer is willing to either build the sidewalks or donate money to the Town sidewalk fund. Mr. Nardella asked what will happen if sprinkler system is disturbed by construction. Attorney Willis stated that the sprinkler systems are on Town property, sprinkler system installer should know where the property line is. A resident stated that she came to meeting expecting a stone dust pathway not a paved sidewalk, however, the neighbors do not want sidewalks period. Mr. Anthony Leonardi, 255 Blue Ridge Road, stated that the entire neighborhood was present, paying taxes, why is D,P,W, still able to require sidewalks. A resident of Lancaster Road questioned the ability of D.P.W. to maintain and plow sidewalks, children walk down to Salem Street now to get the bus without any problems. Mr. Nardella stated that the Planning Board cannot mandate that a developer put money in a sidewalk fund, up to developer to decide to donate money to the fund. Question from resident on South Bradford Street, concern that if sidewalk ends in mi4dle of South Bradford Street it will be dangerous for children, concern that pavement turning into stone dust on South Bradford Street will cause kids on bikes to drive on street. The money should be donated to the sidewalk fund. Mr. Nardella stated again that the Board cannot mandate that developer donate money to sidewalk fund. Attorney Willis stated that the developer is legally required to follow the plan as approved, has stated that money to install sidewalk would be donated to Town if so desired. Mr. Nardella stated that all Planning Board members not present tonight will be apprised through the minutes of this informal discussion of neighbors concerns and items discussed tonight. A resident asked if the board could hold off on a vote until a commitment has been received by developer to donate to the fund. Attorney Willis stated the need to come up with an agreed upon number, would like resolution of issue as soon as possible. The discussion is continue to July 5, 1994 meeting. Mr. Simons stated that the decision involves a two part choice: decision trade on site for off site improvements q~estion of amount of money to be donated to fund Mr. Nardella would like to have number prior to July 5th meeting. Beechwood Hill Mr. Simons read the legal notice to open the public hearing. The hearing was continued to June 28, 1994 in the Library Conference Room, due to the lack of a quorum. &d'~ ourmnent The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:58 p.m. ~'anet L. Eaton, Secretary Richard A. Nardella, Chairman