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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-02Planning Board Meeting Senior Center July 2, 1996 Members Present: Joseph V. Mahoney, Chairman, Richard Rowen, Vice Chairman, Alberto Angles, Associate Member arrived at 7:15 p.m., Alison Lescarbeau, Clerk arrived at 7:25 p.m., John Simons arrived at 8:05 p.m. and Richard Nardella arrived at 8:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. Minutes: On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of June 18, 1996 as amended. Discussion: Gazebo - Town Common George Perna was present on behalf of the 350th Committee and presented the plan for the gazebo. He stated that the selectmen are in favor of it, the next step is to choose a design and location. Mr. Perna stated that the common is a very wet area, and after careful consideration the proposed site is on the Andover Street side of the common nearer to Osgood Street than Mass Avenue. The base will be poured concrete, slabbed over, the steps hopefully will be granite, the railings will be tight 2 x 2's for structural strength, there will be oak benches and lighting at the top. The structure will be iow to the ground and handicapped accessible. Mr. Mahoney asked Mr. Perna why a gazebo now after all these years, and Mr. Perna replied that there used to be a gazebo on the common and showed a picture depicting that. The cost of the gazebo will run $35,000 to $40,000 with the money being donated or raised through the selling of bricks. A few members of the Historical Committee were present: Ann Erickson, Kathy Szyska, Pat Long and Gerry Smith. Tom Stevens, Academy Road, stated that his grandparents helped to establish the common and it is very well used now. He hopes the structure will be something that will last and not become an eyesore and stated that he hopes careful consideration is given to the matter and the location. Ben Osgood, Sr. stated that the common use has changed drastically over the years, and he has reservations about whether North Andover really needs a gazebo. Peter Hornbeck, a restoration and landscape architect, stated that the proposed gazebo will have a major visual perception, therefore, the location will be very important. He urges careful consideration of the placement, usage and design of the gazebo. Mr. Perna stated again that the proposed location was chosen because of the considerable wet areas in the common. Seven Oaks - extension of bond Ms. Colwell stated that the Seven Oaks subdivision performance bond expired in April and the applicant has requested an extension for one year. Ms. Colwell recommends granting the extension. On a motion by Ms. Lescarbeau, seconded by Mr. Nardella, the Board voted unanimously to grant the extension. Woodlea Village - revision of condition 1 (b) Ms. Colwell has spoken with Tom Laudani regarding the status of lot 1 from the original Form A plan. The Planning Board's intent was to prevent lot 1 from ever becoming buildable. The concern from Mr. Laudani and his attorney is that there are title problems prohibiting the lot from being sold. Mr. Levy suggests that a conservation restriction be placed on lot 1. Mr. Mahoney offered to look into the situation to see how it can be resolved. Discussion continued until July 16, 1996 meeting. Trails Grant - letter of endorsement Ms. Colwell stated to the Board that the Trails Committee is applying for a grant to map the Town Farm/Town Forest area. Ms. Colwell informed the Board that she wrote a letter of support for the grant. Coventry I - bond update Ms. Colwell stated that there is a meeting scheduled with the Town Manager, David Ault from Fleet Bank and George Perna on July 18, 1996 at 1:30 p.m. Ms. Colwell will keep the Board updated on the results of the meeting. Master Plan Committee - update Ms. Colwell stated that the next committee meeting will be on July 11, 1996, and the Board should approve the list of names submitted for the committee tonight. The Board discussed the names and expressed concern that the individuals represented single issues i.e. real estate, development, hotel industry, Route 114. Ms. Colwell stated that.all steering committee members had expressed a general interest in the community and a commitment to spend the time necessary to draft the plan. One slot is still open as the need to find an additional environmental/conservation/open space person was identified by the master plan study committee. Ms. Colwell asked the Board to support the existing list of names acknowledging that one space needs to be filled. The Board did not support the list of names. Ms. Colwell asked the Board to suggest names that the Board could support. The Board decided that more time should be given to recruit people. On a motion by Mr. Simons, seconded by Mr. Angles, the Board voted unanimously to allow more time for the recruitment process. Public Hearings: New: Lot 2A Beechwood - Site Plan Review Ms. Lescarbeau read the legal notice to open the public hearing. Ms. Colwell stated that the Planning Board approved the subdivision in 1994, but the applicant has not had the plans endorsed yet. There are a few outstanding issues to be resolved: stormwater drainage, landscaping and lighting. Phil Christiansen, Christiansen & Sergi, handed out a revised plan and drainage information. Steve Webster, Dutton & Garfield, was present and stated that Lcom has outgrown its present location and needs to expand--they have gone from 9 employees to 35. They are a design, manufacturing and distribution company requiring 10,000 sq ft of office space, 10,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and 10,000 sq ft of warehouse space with the hours of operation being 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. They are proposing 71 parking spaces with loading zones in the rear of the building; they will be on septic system and Town water. Phil Christiansen stated that the soils are sand and gravel, very deep with almost no runoff. Mr. Rowen asked when we have rain in January, where does the the water go and Mr. Christiansen replied into a very small swale. Eileen Taylor, 21 Cherise Circle, expressed concern over the lighting, and Mr. Webster replied that the lighting will be illuminating the parking area, away from the homes. Lee Babb, Cherise Circle, concerned about noise coming from the building as he can hear plenty of noise from the AT&T building 3 across the street. Mr. Webster replied that you really can't compare such a large structure as AT&T with Lcom, but, of course, every effort will be made to minimize the noise. Mr. Mahoney stated that the Planning Board always tries to minimize the impact on homeowners. Bill Berger, 29 Cherise Circle, concerned about seeing the building in winter when leaves are off the trees. Mr. Christiansen replied that the building is 15' high and there is a very dense treed area present. Mr. Angles stated that possibly a row of evergreens could be planted at the rear of the building. A site walk is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on July 9, 1996. Continued to July 16, 1996. Continued: Rocky Brook II - Subdivision The applicant has requested a continuance until August 6, 1996. Appleton Street extension - subdivision Ms. Colwell stated that John Chessia, the Town's outside consultant, has reviewed the plans and has found many problems. Scott Giles was present and stated that he just picked up Mr. Chessia's comments today at the Planning Office (he has no fax), and didn't feel that the drainage concerns were insurmountable. Mr. Mahoney suggested that Mr. Giles and Mr. Gann, the applicant, speak with Mr. Chessia regarding the 37 outstanding issues to see what can be resolved before the next meeting. Continued until July 16, 1996. 150 Flaqship Drive - Site Plan Review Continuation of the public hearing. Ms. Colwell stated that the two remaining issues are stormwater drainage and replication of wetlands. The stormwater drainage has been adequately addressed by the applicant. Paul Kneeland stated that he met with Bill Scott and Mike Howard. The only location available for the wetland replication is between the stone wall and Mr. Novello's property. Mr. Howard will recommend that the replication be completed at a ratio of 1:1 instead of 2:1 to reduce the area of cleaning. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to close the public hearing. 701 Salem Street - Site Plan Review Continuation of the public hearing. Ms. Colwell stated that a revised site plan was submitted to the office on Monday showing an entrance only from Abbott Street that feeds into the bank or to a pass lane. The driveway around the back of the building has been eliminated and all of the required setbacks have been met along the property boundary with the Crisostomos. Fire Chief Dolan was present and stated that if the building does not have sprinklers, he would require a fire lane. John Daly, architect for the project, stated the building will have sprinklers. Ms. Colwell stated that Mr. Nicetta is requiring 39 parking spaces, not including a restaurant. Mr. Simons stated that he feels the building is still too large for the lot, although he appreciates the progress that has been made. Mr. Rowen asked what side of Abbott Street will the sidewalks be on and Mr. Nardella replied the other side from the proposed building. Mr. Nardella stated that the parking spaces must be determined if a restaurant is allowed. Ms. Colwell stated that as the plans just arrived at the office, the Police Department hasn't had time to review them. Mr. Mahoney asked the Board to state their opinion of the new plans: Mr. Nardella: too big for the site, concerned about parking. Mr. Rowen: a 7,000 sq ft structure on one acre of land seems too massive, however, it is allowed under the bylaws. Ms. Lescarbeau: too big for the site, does not like drive-up tellers. Mr. Simons: appreciates the effort being made to reduce the size of the building, but does not like drive-up tellers. Mr. Angles: could live with this plan, but would like to see something a little smaller. Mr. Mahoney: building too large for the site, but could live with the present plan. Matthew Xenakis, owner of the property, stated that they have come before the Board with many plans and options and the Board does not seem happy with any of them. Under the bylaws a larger building is allowed, but they are not proposing that. Mr. Xenakis is looking for some direction from the Board before full site plans showing the building layout are drawn up. Ms. Colwell summed up by stating that maybe the building could be made smaller without losing the sidewalks and landscaping if possible. If not, it seems the Board could go along with the plan presented tonite. Continued until July 16, 1996 meeting. Decisions: 150 Flagship Drive - Site Plan Review Ms. Colwell had a draft decision ready for the Board to review. On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Angles, the Board voted unanimously to approve the draft decision as amended. Adj our.re, hr: On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Simons, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 p.m.