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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-10-01Planning Board Meeting Senior Center October 1, 1996 Members Present: Joseph V. Mahoney, Chairman, Richard Rowen, Vice Chairman, Alison Lescarbeau, Clerk, Alberto Angles, Associate Member and Richard Nardella. John Simons arrived at 7:30 p.m. Minutes: On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Mr. Angles, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of September 17, 1996. Discussion: Pinewood - foundation Jim Demetri and Bob Parker were present and stated that they would like to install foundations on lots 2,3,4 and 5 concurrent with the grading of the lots. This will help stabilize the site in that portion closest to the wetlands. They also stated they would like to do the work without posting any bond money. Mr. Rowen asked how long to do the work and was told about a week, they will pour 8' at a time. Board directed Ms. Colwell to write a letter to Mr. Demetri stating the minor change in the schedule, capping the foundations for the winter months and that $5,000 for each lot be posted. Den Rock Park - update Mr. Mahoney stated that the next Lawrence Planning Board meeting is October 2, 1996 and he invites any members from the Board to attend along with him. Mr. Mahoney stated that Bill Hmurciak is to send a letter regarding the curb cut. Coventry I - bond update Mr. Mahoney stated that there is really no update to present. Master Plan Committee - update Mr. Mahoney stated that the committee met on September 26, 1996 and the subcommittees presented their draft baseline reports for review. The neighborhood meetings will be set up in October, November and December and Ms. Colwell needs to know when the Planning Board members will be able to host their meeting. Mr. Mahoney read a letter he received from the Chairman of the Open Space Committee regarding land for a new school. It stated that the only land available for a new school would be the Town Farm area and the Osgood Hill area. Chairman Manzi further stated in the letter that those areas are pristine open space areas and are off limits for development of anything. Mr. Mahoney also read a letter received from Jim Demetri regarding the Meadowood modification and two special permits. The letter stated that the name of the applicant, Hillside Realty Corporation, is an error on their part and it should be Hillside Realty Trust. The Board agreed to allow the name change. Public Hearings - New: 315 Turnpike Street (Merrimack College) Site Plan Review Ms. Lescarbeau read the legal notice to open the public hearing. Richard Kaminski was present representing Merrimack College along with Bob Coppola and David Green. The proposed location is in the R - 3 zoning district and is a large lot, but Merrimack is not looking to subdivide. Mr. Kaminski stated that Merrimack College will use the classroom building it moved from the Osco site as offices for the maintenance department. A new garage and storage area will be constructed. The area to house these two buildings is heavily wooded and located near the Alcott Village complex. There have been ongoing negotiations with the owners of Alcott Village regarding their concerns. Mr. Kaminski stated that the College had a master plan done and it shows the location of where these buildings should be. The entrance will be a new area created off to the right. Alcott Village has agreed to allow the College to tie into them for their utilities. Mr. Kaminski stated that Mike Howard will be out to view the wetlands. The whole area is somewhat low and as such Mr. Kaminski has initiated five borings on site to determine the water table. The water table is high, therefore, a basement under these buildings would be out of the question. The drainage report has been submitted to Coler & Colantonio. There was a TRC meeting held and the fire department wants the two buildings sprinklered. Mr. Kaminski stated that only minor repairs will be done on the vehicles such as grease and oil changes. There will be an MVC oil trap installed, the area will be kept as clean as possible and 19 vehicles will be stored. Mr. Nardella stated that he has had complaints from people who drive down Route 125 and view the ~junk" that is stored near there. Mr. Coppola stated that they have tried to install a fence, but Con Com won't let them, although they are all trying to work out a compromise. Ms. Lescarbeau asked about hauling away trash and was told that Merrimack hauls its own. Mr. Rowen asked what if there is an oil spill near the detention pond, and Mr. Kaminski replied that maybe they could close some of that area off. He will look at the possibility of doing that. Ms. Lescarbeau asked the height of the building and was told 24'. Mr. Kaminski stated that there will be two wall packs installed on the back of the building and they will not be offensive. Mr. Kaminski also stated that a chain link fence with green inserts will be installed, and Mr. Simons asked why the fence couldn't be wood. Some discussion took place regarding a wooden fence and Mr. Kaminski replied that a wooden fence would be installed. Mr. Nardella pointed out that the cleared area on the plan looks very large just to house 19 vehicles. Other Board members agreed, and it was pointed out by Mr. Coppola that Merrimack also has 2 buses to house. Mr. Nardella also asked if there was any other intended use for the area, and Mr. Coppola replied ~no". Mr. Simons stated that anything you could do to minimize the cutting of trees would be good. William Scott, Unit 15 of Alcott Village, was present and stated that he is 88 years old. He stated that he and his wife are impacted more than anyone - they currently have a beautiful view into the woods and that's why they bought the unit. They don't like to see the natural trees removed and they don't want to see a paved parking lot. Frank Saracusa, Unit 11 of Alcott Village, was present and stated more or less the same as Mr. Scott. Mr. Nardella asked if this project complies with R-3 zoning and Mr. Coppola stated that a college complies with R-3 zoning, and under Mass General Law colleges are exempt from any zoning regulations with the exception of 2 or 3 towns and North Andover isn't one of the Towns. A site walk was arranged for 6:00 pm Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Continued: Windkist Farms - Subdivision Phil Christiansen was present and stated that as the result of the last meeting he moved the detention pond to the other side, shifted the road in the ROW, and eliminated the sidewalks. Mr. Mahoney asked if there are still issues with drainage and Mr. Christiansen replied ~just small issues." He also stated that water will be provided from Old Cart Way. The ~undover Sportsmens Club will select the fence and they and the applicant will split the cost. Mr. Christiansen asked if the public hearing could possibly be closed tonite, and Mr. Mahoney replied that he would not want the public hearing closed without Ms. Colwell being present. The other Board members agreed. Mr. Rowen stated that we should keep the public hearing open, but have staff draft a decision for the October 15, 1996 meeting. The other Board members agreed. Salem Forest IV - Subdivision/PRD Joe Serwatka was present and he showed the Board plans with the homes placed on the lots. Some questions were asked regarding the placement of the homes and why they weren't more directly facing the street. Mr. Serwatka stated that he could move them if the Board wanted. Mr. Mahoney stated that he wants to see the actual elevations placed on the plan as well as the exact home locations and designs. It was suggested that Mr. Serwatka come to the Planning Office and have a look at other PRD plans so he will know exactly what the Board expects to see. Mr. Rowen made a motion to close the public hearing and direct staff to draft a decision showing elevations and other pertinent information needed for the October 15, 1996 meeting. There was no second to the motion. Mr. Simons stated that he doesn't think the Board is at that point yet, and maybe we should consider only 5 lots not 6. Mr. Mahoney stated that he thought the Board decided on 6 lots not 5 lots at the last meeting. Mr. Nardella asked if the homes could be turned more so that they face the road and Mr. Serwatka replied ~yes" he would do that. Ms. Lescarbeau stated that maybe we should have gone with a conventional plan instead of a PRD. Continued until October 15, 1996. Rocky Brook II - Subdivision John Morin was present to present the plan on behalf of Neve Associates. He stated that this is a cul-de-sac with six new house lots located off of Rocky Brook Road. Lots 3 & 4 will need approval for frontage exception lot special permits. There will be three detention ponds for stormwater mitigation and the homes will have sprinkler systems. Two perk tests need to be done to complete the testing, but the BOH hasn't had time to do them yet. In order to give Coler & Colantonio the time to reply to the information, Peter Breen stated that he is looking for an extension of thirty days. Neve's office will send a letter, requesting a 30 day extension, to the Planning Office. A TRC meeting was held and Mr. Breen stated that 350' to 400' of wetlands would have to be crossed to access Boxford Road, and the TRC committee saw no benefit to that. According to Peter Breen police and fire would prefer to have a cul-de-sac rather than a connection to Bennett Road in Boxford. Mr. Breen stated that a connection was discussed back in 1986 and Boxford made it very clear they didn't want one. The Board would like Ms. Colwell to talk to the police and fire departments regarding the cul-de-sac instead of a connection to Bennett Road. The Board decided that a site walk was necessary, with the date and time to be determined when Ms. Colwell returns. Neve's office to send a letter of extension. Continued until Nove~ber 19, 1996. 701 Salem Street - Site Plan Review No discussion of this item, applicant had requested a continuance until October 15, 1996. Decisions: 1750 Great Pond Road - Watershed Special Permit A draft decision was prepared by Ms. Colwell for the Board to review. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Simons, the Planning Board unanimously approved the draft decision as written. Lawrence Airport Hangars--Site Plan Review Steve Stapinski was present with revised drainage plans which the Board reviewed. The question was asked where is the nearest fire protection, and Mr. Stapinski replied there is a fire hydrant very close by. On a motion by Mr. Nardella, seconded by Ms. Le$carbeau, the Board voted unanimously to approve the draft decision as amended to state that the bond money should be $5,000. Lot Releases/Bonds: East Pasture Estates - bond reduction Ms. Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW recommending the release of $17,900 and retaining $19,900. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Mr. Simons, the Board voted unanimously to accept DPW's recommendation. Cobblestone Crossing - bond reduction There was no recommendation from DPW. 5 Foxwood I Ms. Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW recommending retaining $18,350. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to accept DPW's recommendation. Foxwood II Ms. Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW recommending retaining $83,150. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to accept DPW's recommendation. Foxwood III Ms. Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW recommending retaining $74,240. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to accept DPW's recommendation. At this point, Mr. Nardella wanted Jim Demetri's statement regarding Foxwood placed into the record. Mr. Demetri stated that by June or July of 1997 all construction at Foxwood will be completed and a final coat on the sidewalk will be done then. Meadowood I - bond reduction There was no recommendation from D?W. Meadowood II - bond reduction Ms. Lescarbeau read a letter from DPW recommending retaining $23,000. On a motion by Mr. Rowen, seconded by Ms. Lescarbeau, the Board voted unanimously to accept DPW's recommendation. Endorsement of Plans - Form A Lots 1 through 6 Rosemont Drive Ken Rea and Jerry Foley were present and Mr. Foley stated that the property is on sewer, in the R-2 district, has 75% CBA with 150' of frontage. At this point the Board wanted to speak with Ms. Colwell regarding this Form A, therefore, it was not signed. 6