HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-08-15~lanning Boa~ Minutes
Xuqust XS; Xg~S
MomMoEs Present~
J~ ~y, Chairman, Richard Rowen, Vice Chairman, Alison
Le~e~m, Clerk. Richard Nardella arrived at 7:30 pm, John
Simons &~ived at 7:25 pm and Alberto Angles, Associate Member
arrived at 8:45 pm.
The meeting was called to order at 7:07 p.m.
Xinutes
On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Rowen, the minutes of
July 18, 1995 were approved as amended.
On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Angles, the minutes of
August 1, 1995 were approved.
Disouss~on
Cobblestone Crossing - fifty foot buffer zone
Mr. Mahoney excused himself from this discussion due to a potential
conflict of interest. Mr. Rowen acted as chairman.
As a bit of background information, Mrs. Grossman has been unhappy
for some time regarding the buffer zone between her property and
Cobblestone Crossing, built by Thomas Laudani. The approved plan
shows some regrading in the buffer zone for the construction of the
road and enhancement of a natural grass swale for drainage.
Richard Doucette and Kathleen Bradley Colwell reviewed the no-cut
line prior to any cutting. Although the line wasn't actually
measured, yellow caution tape was placed around the edge of the
site. After the cutting was complete, Mrs. Grossman complained
that the cutting was too close to the property line. Ms. Colwell
reviewed the site as it appeared as though a few trees were cut
outside of the line. Trees were definitely cut in the fifty foot
area as per the plan. Ms. Colwell required replanting in the
buffer zone and nine trees were planted.
Mrs. Grossman was still unhappy, so George Perna and Ms. Colwell
met with her on site and counted six stumps that were probably cut
in error. An additional six trees were planted along the edge of
the tree line. One of the pine trees planted has died and will be
replaced. In the fall the Planning Board went out and reviewed the
site and approved the tree planting in the buffer zone (the fifty
foot buffer zone was marked in the field at the time). The Board
also agreed to let the neighbor in Cobblestone mow the area under
the trees and to maintain it as lawn.
At some time between the fall and the present time, on his own
accord, Mr. Laudani sent his landscape crew over to Mrs. Grossman
to plant some additional trees. She directed them to plant the
trees on the other side of her property, not the side near the
fifty foot buffer zone.
Dr. & Mrs. Grossman, 59 Cranberry Lane were present to discuss
their unhappiness with the fifty foot buffer zone along the edge of
their property. They feel too many trees were cut down in the
buffer zone between their property and Cobblestone Crossing. Prior
to the cutting the density of woods provided them with privacy, but
they feel that privacy is gone. Dr. Grossman showed a plan and
pictures of the buffer zone being destroyed. According to him, the
bylaw states there should be no excavation in the 50 foot buffer
zone.
Mr. Rowen stated that the developer admits to cutting down 6 or so
trees, but, as stated he did return last fall and replanted in
equal number. One has since died, which will be replanted. The
Board viewed the site and thought it was fine.
Dr. Grossman stated that six trees are not nearly enough; much more
damage was done than that.
Mr. Rowen stated that a developer does have the right to install a
road.
Ms. Lescarbeau asked what the Grossman's were looking for from the
Board.
Dr. Grossman said he feels they are owed 30 or so more trees. He
showed before and after pictures of the development and feels the
bylaws have been violated.
Mrs. Grossman, a civil engineer, stated that the developer never
needed to excavate the area.
The Grossman's gave handouts at the meeting for the Board to
review.
The Board agreed to review the material and will get back to the
Grossman's.
Review of CBA interoretati0~
This subject was not discussed.
North Andover Estates - bond renewal
Ms. Colwell stated that the bond is up for renewal in September.
She has spoken with Toll Brothers and they have already renewed the
bond.
Coventry Estates II- subdivision
~. Colwell stated ~hat we are waiting for more information from
DPW.
Nadine Lane - subdivlsion/pRD
Alison Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW.
DPW recommends releasing $22,380 and retaining $84,830.
On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board
voted unanimously to release $22,380 and retain $84,830.
Publio Hearings
Rezonina of land on Turnpike Street
Ms. Lescarbeau read the legal notice to open the public hearing.
In the spring a group of neighbors came to the Board requesting
rezoning of their property on Route 114. They were told it seemed
to make more sense to rezone more than i or 2 lots. Also, the
attorney general frowns on spot rezoning.
They are now back before the Board with more people in support of
the rezoning.
Mr. Simons asked are you all on one side of street?
They replied yes.
Question regarding the size of the entire parcel.
Ms. Colwell stated we need more information regarding that.
Mr. Simons is concerned about getting the highest and best use out
of the property.
Ann Royal, 111 Peters Street is concerned that a portion of her
property is in Andover and is zoned residential. Also, she is very
concerned about a strip mall along Route 114.
Mrs. Bramanti, Turnpike Street has spoken with Ken Mahony and he
stated that Andover is interested in rezoning that area also.
Bob McIntyre, Turnpike Street stated that the changes the state
made to the road has made it impossible to get in and out of his
house. The traffic on Route 114 has made his property unsalable.
He is requesting the Board to seriously consider rezoning.
Mr. Bramanti stated that the state plan was to put one lane up, how
it got to two he doesn't know. The state took 15 feet off the
front of the properties.
Mr. McIntyre= everyone feels sorry for us, but can't someone help
us out?
Mr. Simons stated that the B-4 zone requires that a group of
landowners will need to act together.
Mrs. Royal questioned what the Eagle-Tribune would do with its
property.
Mr. Simons suggested that Ken Mahony, Director of Community
Development and Services, come to a meeting to share his ideas.
Mr. Mahoney stated that there needs to be some intense discussion
regarding this situation.
Mrs. Royal hopes this can be done before any decisions are made.
Discussion will continue on September 5, 1995.
Addition of "banking establishments" in the B-4 zone
Ms. Lescarbeau read the legal notice to open the public hearing.
Ms. Colwell stated that this article was suggested by Ken Mahony.
There already is a bank in the proposed area to be rezoned. Want
to make bank an as of right use in the zone.
Mr. Simons stated we need some clarification of what a "banking
establishment" is. What about teller machines? Do we allow them?
Mr. Rowen asked will Northmark Bank be rezoned also?
Ms. Colwell: yes.
Discussion will be continued on September 5, 1995.
Lot 1 & 2 Box~ord ~eet - Access/Common Driveway
Mr. Rowen read the legal notices to open the public hearings.
Jim Bourgeois from Neve Associates was present. The plan is very
straightforward--proposal is to build a driveway to serve two
homes.
Ms. Colwell asked what is width of driveway?
Mr. Bourgeois replied 12 feet.
Mr. Simons asked where does the wetland begin?
Mr. Bourgeois pointed it out on the map= it's near the edge of the
property, and is 70 feet from one end to the other.
Richard Bradshaw, Boxford street, stated that the Szelest family
owned the property and the area is flooded in the springtime.
Floo4pl&l~t
at 114 feet,
flood.
100 year level is at elevation 114 feet, the road is
therefore, the road would flood during a 100 year
Mr. Bradshaw is concerned that two 12' culverts under the driveway
will not be enough to control the flooding so that this will not
back up.
Mr. Rowen asked if the water builds up gradually?
Mr. Bradshaw replied yes, but it drains gradually also.
Question was asked whether the adjacent land would be developed.
Ms. Colwell stated that she has seen some test pits out there, but
nothing has come into the office yet. She will request a letter
from the Board of Health.
Mrs. Bradshaw, Boxford Street stated that she has lived on the
property for 45 years and it is a natural cranberry bog. Children
skate on it in the winter, it floods that well.
Mr. Mahoney stated that he has not seen the property yet, and would
like to schedule a site walk for August 17th at 6:15.
Ms. Colwell to see if Jim Grifoni can attend the site walk also, to
discuss development of the adjacent property.
Discussion continued until September 5, 1995.
Lot 2 Brentwood Circle - Watershed Special Permi,
Mr. Rowen read the legal notice to open the public hearing.
Ms. Colwell stated that the lot is in the watershed, but it falls
under the old bylaw. The house will be constructed outside of the
100 foot buffer zone.
Ms. Colwell stated that in this case it makes sense to slope the
driveway runoff towards the lawn rather than towards the catch
basin in the street as the water in the catch basin drains directly
into the adjacent wetland without the benefit of any filtration.
By directing the water towards the lawn there will be approximately
75 feet of lawn and buffer to provide filtration. A strict reading
of the bylaw, however, would require the water to be directed to
the catch basin.
Mr. Rowen stated that we should stick to the bylaw.
General discussion that the water should be filtered, therefore,
the driveway should pitch towards the lawn.
Ms. Colwell stated that she will document in the special permit why
the Board deviated from the bylaw in this case.
On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Simons, the Board
voted unanimously to close the public hearing and direct staff to
render a decision.
94 FlaushiD Dr~Ve - SAte Plan Review (par~in~ lot expansion)
Chuck Caron was present.
Ms. Colwell stated that a revised plan was shown at the last
meeting.
The dumpster has been enclosed and there will be no additional
lighting.
ConCom closed the public hearing and will approve the project.
Mr. Simons asked if the Board will be bonding the project?
Ms. Colwell: yes.
On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Nardella, the Board voted
unanimously to close the public hearing.
Jerad Place IV - subdiv~sion/PRD
Jim Bourgeois from Neve Associates was present.
Revised conventional plan and new 19 lot plan was presented. There
is some flexibility in the size of the lots. There is one frontage
exception lot which sits well. We will abandon one piece because
of ConCom.
Bob Janusz stated that the road has been moved over, expects ConCom
to be happy about that.
Mr. Mahoney asked what about the Board of Health?
Mr. Janusz said some testing already done, some left to do.
Ms. Colwell to request a letter from the Board of Health.
Ms. Colwell stated that all past discussions regarding tot lot,
sidewalks and open space are the same.
Mr. Nardella asked what side will the sidewalks be on?
Mr. Bourgeois replied: it doesn't matter, we could do either.
Ms. Colwell to be sure the sidewalks are shown on the plan.
Continued until September 5, 1995.
Decisions
94 FlaashiD Drive - Site Plan Review (Parking lot e~pansion)
Bond to be set at $3,000 to cover tree planting and as built plan.
On a motion byMr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Nardella, the Board voted
unanimously to approve the draft decision.
&d4our-~ent
On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Angles, the Board voted
unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.