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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of planning brd 10/08/03 r- Planning Board Minutes October 8, 2003 ;" .;.. -~:, '_.. ""'. l ~..) ~... Present: Tom French, Chair; Doug Annino, Mark Cook, Fred Armstrong, Ken Torman, Walter Jenkins Shaun P. Burke, Director ofPlannin and Develo ment 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. Motion: To appoint Mr. Annino Acting Chair and Mr. Dolan Acting Clerk (Torman-Cook) All in favor. PASSES 2: S5 "1.'1' ,., '._ J I 2. Form A Plans Winter/Franklin Street. The plan shows two existing parcels and one new parcel. The new parcel will be conveyed to existing parcel 2. Lot 1 will be a nonconforming lot and will be conveyed to Lot 2. Mr. Burke said the two new lots would have the required frontage and area, and recommended the plan be endorsed. Motion: To sign the Form A (Torman-Armstrong) All in favor. PASSES r- I 3. Correspondence 1. Minutes September 24, 2003 Motion: To approve as submitted (Annino- Torman) Five in favor. Cook abstained. PASSES 2. Letter Home Builders Inc. re: request to change the street name in the Park Place subdivision street name change from Donia Lane to Kal's Way Motion: To allow the name change (Torman-Cook) All in favor. PASSES 3. Memo from Mr. McCue re: Housing Task Force, which will produce a housing plan to submit to DHCD. Dr. Torman volunteered to serve on the committee. Motion: To appoint Dr. Torman to the Housing Task Force (Jenkins-Cook) All in favor. PASSES [Mr. French arrived at this time.] I 4. Planning Board Workshop - Downtown Issues Mr. French explained the intent ofthe workshop and what the board hoped to accomplish. He also explained the board is defming "downtown" as approximately the area between Oakland Street and town hall on South Main Street. Various downtown merchants were in attendance at the workshop. Town Manager John D' Agostino explained his ideas for downtown. He said he intends to go to Town Meeting soon for infrastructure funding, including money for fa~ade improvements for the North and South Main Street area He said this sort of activity works well when there is a partnership between the town and the merchants. He said access to downtown is an important issue, along with parking, and said he was interested in changing the landscaping and lighting in the downtown area, as well as hanging planters and banner-type signage for businesses and community events. r- Mr. D' Agostino said the middle common would be redesigned, and he has been working with the Women of Today and the Rotary Club, who have raised funds for that work. He (" said he thought one of the things missing downtown is a town clock, which he would like to install in the middle common. Landscaper Cheryl Erlandson showed the board a plan ofthe middle common with the trees removed and low-maintenance shrubbery planted. The plan showed three lights, and the four-sided, lighted clock. The existing sidewalk would increase in a semi-circle around the common, with a two-foot planted bed around the clock. Three planter pedestals to hold cast iron urns to match the posts, ftlled with annuals and spring bulbs, were shown. The existing monument would be moved to the front of the site. Ms. Erlandson said she didn't think there would be enough ofa buffer to install a bench safely, but said there would be room for one. She said the type of shrubbery planned would require minimal maintenance, be resistant to road salt, and would bloom year- round. Mr. Cook asked where the "Mansfields of the World" sign would be placed. Ms. Erlandson said she hadn't seen the sign and didn't know its size, but would find a place for it. She said if the existing walkway were changed, it would have to be made handicapped accessible. Mr. Annino asked if the beds would be raised; she said they would be. Mr. Annino suggested this would be a good place for vertical signage, such as large banners. Mr. D' Agostino said the trees removed from the middle common would be replanted elsewhere. Mr. Cook said there is a gas line running through the common, and would have to be accommodated. Mr. Annino suggested these lights could be different than the rest of the downtown streetlights. He also suggested the number existing streetlights could be reduced. .,;- Jay Barrows said this work might help encourage business owners to stay in town and re- invest in their businesses. He said the difficulty of taking a left-hand turn at the traffic light at Route 106 is a serious impediment to drivers getting downtown. Mr. D' Agostino said the town should look into grant options for funding the downtown improvements, which will also help the merchants. Mr. Burke explained this would not be the only downtown meeting, and the board understands there are many issues the residents and merchants want to discuss. He said he would like to build consensus on one issue at a time before moving on, and suggested structuring subsequent meetings to cover one specific topic. For example, he said an issue like traffic has many subsets, such as traffic pattern, direction, speed and traffic calming methods. He said the board would like to keep downtown in a historic focus, and keep it distinct from the other main areas of town. Mr. Annino suggested looking at the broad issues at first. Mr. Barrows said the Downtown Business Association had discussed the most important issues to that group: *Speed limit - the amount of traffic traveling through downtown, early and late volume to and from the train station, more children coming downtown for music lessons, etc., more families using downtown; r- (" *One-way streets - all1ead downtown, allowing drivers to exit but not enter; *In B 1 zone, commercial space should be on the first floor; *Fales property should be kept for parking rather than sold; *Parking - perception there is a lack of parking, and with train station construction, fewer spaces are available there. Unclear what parking we do have, what is available to public parking, problem with drivers with parking stickers thinking they are exempt from the 2- hour limit. As an example, Mr. Barrows said the signs in the public parking lot next to Mansfield Bank say no parking between 9 am -7 pm. However, people taking the train after 9 am are parking there all day, taking parking from downtown businesses. He suggested the town should inventory what parking we actually have. *Route 140 acts as a "moat," and residents on the other side may find it easier to go to another town to shop, especially with bridge construction now. Mr. Annino asked what the "hook" is for downtown. Mr. Barrows said it is a safe area, friendly, and has a sense of community. He said the July sidewalk sale brings several thousand people to downtown. Mr. Jenkins said it is also an issue of the service provided in downtown stores. Jerry Spezio, Sterling Manufacturing, said the downtown lighting should be increased ,.,- rather than decreased; Mr. Annino said that wouldn't help, but lighting the storefronts better would help. Sandra Torman, The Yarn Shop, said downtown isn't a 9-5 business place anymore, with many of the stores open later in the evening. Mr. Barrows said the fire station would probably not remain downtown much longer, and the lot next to it would be an excellent location for a parking lot or a new business, or both. However, he was concerned it might become residential. Mr. Penney said the town shouldn't buy that lot, but should encourage whoever buys it to develop it in accordance with the Master Plan. Mr. Annino said that should be a storefront rather than parking. Mr. Barrows said there is a 14-foot wide, 300-foot long parcel on Old Colony Way with barriers installed to prevent access. Dr. Torman said the owner doesn't maintain it, and is asking $225,000 for it. Mr. Annino said Old Colony way is an awful way to bring people into the downtown area. Mrs. Torman asked if the town could take that parcel by eminent domain; Mr. Barrows said market value would have to be paid. Mr. Armstrong said the question would be the value of unusable land. Mr. Jenkins said the board has been very concerned about parking, and sent the building inspector a negative recommendation on a recent site plan with commercial on the first floor and residential on the second and third, because of a lack of parking to support the businesses. He said he wouldn't be in favor of mixed-use development unless adequate parking could be provided. ,;- ~ Mr. Barrows said the new school on Church Street has no parking, and asked where the employees and students would be able to park. He said many ofthe businesses in that area are already parking on Church Street. There were concerns expressed about satellite parking because people want to be able to park in front of the store they are going to. Mr. Jenkins suggested satellite parking could be an option for long-term employee parking, so customers would be able to park closer, in short-term parking areas. Mr. Barrows said there is a lot of parking on Old Colony Way, but it isn't well advertised. He said if the parking spaces were angled and the speed limit were reduced, it might be more useful. Phil Finer said most of the problems are cause by train station all-day parking. He said the Clemmey Tank and the Ditchman properties could be used for long-term, large-scale commuter parking to get the train station traffic out of downtown. Mr. Barrows said there would be a funding problem with something of that size. Mr. Penney said he didn't think the town should be running parking lots, and suggested something like that should be privately run. Mr. Penney said the downtown area is convenient and friendly, and there is a trend away from large, mall-style retail developments. He said any new development proposal should be made to consider parking. Mr. Barrows said he was concerned about the Betty & Bills store being leveled and r- turned into a parking lot, and suggested that buildings closer to the sidewalk with parking in the back would result in a more attractive streetscape. Mr. Penney suggested the board develop a concept for downtown. Mr. French said zoning amendments may be what makes the difference in dealing with all the issues. Mr. Barrows said downtown should be connected with the train station development. Mr. Penney said Route 106 is another "moat," making it difficult to cross and get to businesses on that side of the intersection. Mr. Barrows said a left-turn was necessary. Mr. Cook said the only way to get a left-turn signal would be to submit a traffic study to the state. Mr. Barrows said the study wouldn't show anyone taking a left there, because it is too dangerous a turning movement to even attempt. Mr. Burke said SRPEDD may be able to do a traffic study at that intersection, and the Board of Selectmen could contact SRPEDD with that request. Motion: To send the Board of Selectmen a letter asking them to contact SPREDD about a traffic study at the Route 106/North Main Street intersection for the possible installation ofa protected left-hand turn westbound (Cook-Torman) Mr. Jenkins said SPREDD is already doing a Route 106 corridor study; Mr. Burke said that is a very broad study, but they would have some information about that intersection. Mr. Jenkins said that is one of the most dangerous intersections in town, so there could be a safety angle. ,;- All in favor. PASSES r- i Mr. French said the entrance to downtown from Route 106 onto Old Colony Way, which runs behind several businesses, is an unattractive way to bring traffic into town. He asked if getting rid of parking on one side of Old Colony and making it two-way would help. The downtown merchants said it would not. Dr. Torman said there are several businesses on Old Colony Way and suggested cleaning it up. Mr. Annino said it would have to look like a business district, with attractive facades and landscaping. Mr. D'Agostino said he would like to take the strip ofland on Old Colony Way and clean it up, and possibly use it for parking. He said that would take town meeting authorization. Mr. Annino said the town can't just decide to take a parcel; a redevelopment authority would have to be a redevelopment authority. Mr. Barrows asked about allowing two-way traffic with traffic calming and a much lower speed limit, provided parking could be preserved on both sides of the street. The downtown merchants said they didn't think that could be accommodated. Mr. D' Agostino suggested purchasing the lot next to the fire station for parking. ",- Mrs. Torman said since Old Colony Way was made one-way, more businesses have opened on that street and contributed to downtown expansion. She said that area is part of downtown and should be improved the same way the rest of the area will be. Dr. Torman said if that strip of land is taken, there could be additional parking. Mr. Annino said the facades ofthe existing store would also have to be enhanced. Mr. Finer said the lot next to the fire station could be used for parking. Mr. Barrows said the lot was large enough for a commercial building in the front and parking in the back. Mr. Barrows said he was concerned about the number of curb cuts on North Main Street, and asked the board to require commercial on the first floor of existing buildings. Mr. French explained the board can only require what the zoning by-law will allow. Mr. Barrows said more restaurants, if the parking could be provided, would help the downtown stay vibrant in the evenings. Mr. Annino said that would only work if the other businesses stay open later at night. He said getting the commuters to come downtown when they get off the train would make a huge difference. Mr. D' Agostino said there will be an A TM in the train station, linked to information about the downtown businesses. Mr. French said the board would have to talk about putting a framework in place so the changes will benefit everyone. ,;- Mr. French asked Mr. D' Agostino about a traffic study for a left-turn signal at Route 106. Mr. D'Agostino said part of the train station development would include a kiss-and-ride, a light with a left-turn signal and a new light at Winthrop Street. He said with the work on the underpass, a left-turn signal at Route 106 would be included because of the anticipated increase in train station parking. Mr. French asked if any of the local ( representatives would be able to help. Mr. D' Agostino said the only way to meet the traffic counts is to have a detour in place for the underpass, which would force traffic to go left. Mr. Barrows said he would call Mansfield's representatives and Mr. Grabowskis about the issue. Mr. D' Agostino said the commuter parking on Old Colony Way will revert to the town when the train station parking is reopened. Mr. D' Agostino said the Police Chiefhas been meeting with downtown merchants about updating parking regulations. Mr. Cook asked how the two-hour parking regulation could be extended. Mr. D' Agostino said that would have to be a Police Chief decision. Motion: To send the Board of Selectmen a recommendation to extend the two-hour parking restriction to 9:00 p.rn. rather than 5 p.rn., seven days a week (Cook- Torman) All in favor. PASSES The next workshop will be November 12 at 8 p.rn. and will cover parking and traffic. Mr. Barrows said he wouldn't like to see more signage downtown; Mr. Cook said the parking signs are supposed to be every 50 feet. r-- The board discussed asking the town engineer to enlarge a plan of downtown and draw in the parking spaces to get an idea of how much parking is available downtown. Mr. Burke said the GIS system doesn't differentiate between driveways and parking lots, nor does it differentiate between public and private parking. Mr. Annino suggested walking downtown and marking up a plan. I 4. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 10:00 p.rn. (Torman-Armstrong) All in favor. PASSES Date of next meeting: October 22,2003 at 7:30 p.rn. &;.1 of (/4 -d:-1c;;Jf~, -ffiU.f '14- . ure cfr Clerk / ~v ,S' }oD~ Date of Approval r-