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Home My WebLink Aboutmin of planning brd 03/02/05 ~. Planning Board Minutes 0':: t. .. " riCE O ,,' 'r~D "'5 March 2, 20 5 I ;,i\ .( Mf In: Present: Tom Frenc~ Chairman; Fred Armstrong, Clerk; Walter Jenk~~~n TOrlnan,l4 John DeMassi, Douglas Annino, Frank Holmes M.'; ;;"i~"...;i i E 10 I" ( Ii .1 . r. ('. . ,_ '-' "'l.f',.c...';iU'l' r-T II 0" TS ~ 11.. Meetillgcalledto()rder at 7:00 p.lO. Motion: To appoint Mr. Annino Acting Chairman (Torman-DeMassi) All in favor. PASSES .-- , 12.(Jo~~.dl'..~e 1. February 9, 2005 minutes Motion: To approve as submitted (Tonnan-DeMassi) All in favor. PASSES 2. February 2, 2005 minutes Motion: To approve as submitted (Tonnan-DeMassi) All in favor. PASSES 3. February 10, 2005 letter from Jack Hurley, Red Mill Realty Trust re: bond release of $10,000 for clearing island at Gourdine Circlet Feburary 24, 2005 memo from Mike Ahem recommending the release Motion: To release $10,000 for clearing the island (DeMassi-Torman) All in favor. PASSES Mr. Jenkins said he has visited the site, the site looks good and the binder coat of pavement is down. 4. February building permit summary 5. Meeting notices Attleboro, Norton, Plainville, Sharon Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Cominittee 6."Downtown & Village Center Economic Development Conference" notice 7.SRPEDD Regional Review 8.01d Colony Habitat for Humanity Winter newsletter 9.New England Planning newsletter 10. The Beacon 11. Planning magazine 12. Architecture Boston I ,.......... ,..........i'o.;.,'..'/.'o ......... . i,t;Q.Q Ly,.~,;I~'~Q. . .... ;........ Mr. Armstrong noted the draft article regarding the Planning Board having site plan approval has an inconsistency and he has asked Mr. Burke to look at that. Mr. Jenkins said he would be interested in what the department heads think about the article. Mr. French said he has spoken with Mr. Burke, who is concerned there will be no support for the article. Mr. Annino said the board will have to do a good presentation, which should /lD.clude the fact that most other towns in the Commonwealth give the Planning Board site 'plan approval. Mr. French suggested inviting Mr. Riccio, Mr. D' Agostino and possibly the Board of Selectmen to a meeting to discuss the article. Mr. Jenkins said he didn't think the board has a bad relationship with the Building Inspector, but he would like to put some strength behind their site plan review. >1 -- [Mr. French arrived at this time] ~ Motion: To appoint Dr. Tonnan and Mr. DeMassi the board's representatives to the Capital Improvements Committee (Annino-Armstrong) All in favor. PASSES Mr. French said the School Street retail development is scheduled for March 9 and he hopes to wrap Up traffic. Mr. Annino said he would not be at that meeting. The board discussed moving the meeting to Thursday, March 10. William Whalen, Whalen Engineering, explained he has spoken with the Town Engineer since the last meeting. Mr. Whalen presented copies of the revised full drainage report, which indicate no increase in runoff. Mr. French asked about the setbacks for the new lot. Mr. Whalen explained a revised plan showing the location of the new house and septic system, as well as the tOO and 200-foot riverfront buffer zone and the tOO-foot buffer from the vegetated wetland. He said the perc tests were done in the area where the septic system will be built and the soils are ideal. He proposes to keep the house closer to Fox Street and away from the wetland; work will be within the 200-foot riverfront buffer, but not within the loo-foot buffer. Department Head Comments The clerk read a memo from Mr. Field suggesting a 50-foot right-of-way. Mr. French r- said the revised plan shows sufficient width to get a house, with proper setbacks, at the front of the lot. Mr. Whalen said that wouldn't be possible with a 50-foot right-of-way. Mr. Holmes said it didn't make sense to make the new layout 50 feet when Atwood Street is only 40 feet. He said he didn't think the Engineering Department actually wants the cul-de-sac built, but only wants the layout shown. Mr. Whalen said if the cul-de-sac is laid out, even if it isn't built, the road would be too close to the wetland and the new lot wouldn't be wide enough to meet the setbacks. Mr. DeMassi said he thinks this plan shows what the board requires of any special permit plan, which is to show that all the elements of a traditional subdivision could be built. Mr. Annino said he thought constructing the cul-de-sac would be overkilL The board members agreed. The clerk read a memo from Mr. Burke recommending approval of the preliminary plan. }dr. Annino said he would like to see the new portion of the street match the existing /'~. Mr. Whalen said the proposed width of the pavement is 18 feet, which matches ,1 the existing pavement on Atwood Street. Motion: To approve the preliminary plan (Annino-Jenkins) ,- ~ ~ ~ Mr. Holmes asked about the drainage calculations; Mr. Whalen said the amount of impervious surface is so small and the soils are so good, the runoff will be absorbed into the ground. He said the slope is .5.1 % toward the rear of the site. All in favor. PASSES 4.~1I~t\t'isio..""blitll~g~lltitttJtd -G~"""".'Atres - S~ Lots 1tf'I'E.... Street~AleQ.de.. Skelle [Mr. Holmes left the meeting at this time.] Mr. French said he would participate in the hearing but would not vote, since he was not at the first meeting. Ralph Maloon, RIM Engineering, explained the changes to the plans. The water main has been relocated, there will be one gate valve added at the end of the cul-de-sac and "intended to become a public way" has been added to the plans. Mr. Maloon explained the topography of the site. The road has been straightened out so headlights will not shine into homes across Elm Street. The buildings on the property and on abutting properties are shown on the plan. The site includes woods and overgrown fields; Mr. Maloon said the site was a nursery at one time. He said there are rows of yews, burning bush and white pines in the denser woods; the lighter wooded areas have scattered pine trees. Mr. Maloon said there are several piles of trash on the site, which are shown on the plan. He said there are some vehicles at the front and building debris at the back of the site. Mr. Maloon said he is proposing to relocate a row of yews and burning bushes to screen an abutting property. Mr. DeMassi asked how far the existing houses are from the road; Mr. Maloon said one abutter is 100 feet and the other is 150 feet from the proposed road. Mr. Maloon said the island detail has been revised to show contours at a 4-1 slope, granite curbing around the outside and existing large trees such as pine and oak in the island and four poplars at the entrance to the cul-de-sac that will be saved. The island will be cleaned out so the pines are six feet apart. The grading will go back 20 feet and he proposes spreading Junipers, four feet back from the curb and six feet on center. The island will be higher than the pavement around it. i ,/ ~. Maloon explained the entrance details, which include a temporary entrance to keep -,'Elm Street clean during construction. The loam and subsoil will be stripped and tapered "back 50 feet before going back uphill to meet the centet grade. The permanent entrance detail includes a sidewalk with grass plots on either side. Elm Street has a six-foot wide sidewalk, and they will blend their sidewalk into that. Mr. Maloon said he is no longer requesting the sidewalk waiver and sidewalks are now shown all the way around. The entrance will have a stone wall with the subdivision name and a flower bed in front of the wall, to be three feet wide with bulbs and perennials. ,-.. Department Head ComlOent The clerk read memos from Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Burke. Mr. Sullivan suggested Lot 4 be built up to avoid the need to remove too much excess material, did not recommend the waiver to use sloped granite curbing and suggested the water lines be placed on either side of the street. He also noted the Water Department's comments about the size of the water lines. Board Comment Mr. DeMassi asked about the building envelopes. Mr. Maloon said the envelopes shown are shown for drainage purposes, and the zoning setbacks would define the building envelopes. Mr. Annino asked about the debris disposal. Mr. Maloon said it would be removed; Mr. Annino asked for a note to be added to the plan. Mr. Maloon said he would. Mr. Annino said the row of yews and burning bush next to the abutting property should appear more natural and not be in a straight line. He suggested adding a note saying "the existing woods will not be disturbed" as a way to protect the abutter on the other side. ~ Mr. Annino said he would like to see pictures of the existing trees for the cul-de-sac ~ island, how they will be protected, and said he would not want to see the island all mulch. Mr. Annino asked the size of the street trees; Mr. Maloon said they will be 2 inch caliper. Mr. Annino asked Mr. Maloon to check the Subdivision Regulations to ensure that size is correct. Mr. Annino said he didn't want fiber mesh in the sidewalks; Mr. Maloon said Engineering told him to use that. Mr. Annino said he would like a detail of the stone wall and the planting bed. Mr. Armstrong asked Mr. Maloon to address Mr. Sullivan's comments about the excess material on Lot 4. Mr. Maloon said he had calculated the amount of excess material on the site and said he didn't see how a house could be built on that lot without building it up. Mr. Armstrong suggested adding a nbte on the plan that the excess material will be used on the site to the extent possible. Mr. Armstrong asked about Mr. Sullivan's comment about the water lines. Mr. Maloon explained he has addressed that comment by relocating the water lines. I ,/ Mr. Jenkins said some of the pages don't show landscaping in the island and asked that be added to each sheet. Mr. Maloon said he would add a note to each sheet. , ,. ~ Mr. Jenkins said he has visited the site and saw a lot of debris. He suggested the first thing done on this site be cleaning, removal of debris and demolition of existing r" structures. Mr. Maloon said that could be made a condition of approval and added to the top sheet, which will be recorded. He asked if the crushed stone entrance should be installed before the existing buildings are removed. Mr. Jenkins said the larger of the two existing buildings will have to be removed for that temporary entrance to be installed. Mr. Maloon said there are also chickens on the site. Mr. French asked if there is any hazardous material on this site. Mr. Maloon said he did not know. Mr. Annino said he wouldn't be comfortable approving the plan until the site is cleaned. Mr. French suggested it could be a condition that prior to any work beginning on the roadway, the site would have to be cleaned and certified by the Board ofHea1th or a licensed environmental site professional ("LSP"). He suggested a condition requiring an LSP review the site and present a report to the Health Agent. Mr. Maloon said he is asking for a waiver to use sloping granite curbing instead of vertical. r Mr. French nOted Mr. Burke's letter about the Inclusionary Housing requirement. Mr. Maloon said the applicant is aware of the issue. Mr. French said the applicant would have to inform the board of how he plans to conform to this requirement prior to approval. Mr. Jenkins said that was part ofhis concern about the fill on Lot 4; he said he wouldn't want that lot stripped and the affordable home built on a substandard lot. Mr. Maloon said he would speak with the applicant. Public Comment Don Arduino, 521 Elm Street, asked about the temporary entrance. Mr. French explained that to prevent mud and dirt from getting on the street, crushed stone will be used. Mr. Arduino asked if that would cause any drainage problems; Mr. Maloon said it would not Mr. French said there would be a condition requiring Elm Street be kept clean during construction. Doreen St. Don, 483 Elm Street, asked where the houses will be placed. Mr. French said the setbacks will determine where the houses will go. Mrs. St. Don asked about hazardous waste issues; Mr. French said the board has discussed requiring an environmental investigation on the site prior to any work beginning. Mrs. St. Don said there had been debris at the back of the site as well as at the front. Mr. Jenkins said there are notes on the plan showing debris further back on the site. He said he would like to itlcorporate a condition that all debris be removed. Mrs. St. Don asked if there will be a /bond to ensure the completion of the road. Mr. French said there will be. Mrs. St. Don asked if the Conservation Commission meeting would occur whether or not this plan is approved. Mr. French said the applicant could go forward, but without Plannine Board approva~ may not bother. --- Rick Canton, 525 Elm Street, asked about hazardous materials such as fuel on the site. Mr. French said oil would be considered a hazardous material, and involving the Health r- Agent will help the board understand what is on the site. He said it would be important to handle the removal of any materials properly. Mr. Annino asked to show the limit of clearing on the revised plans. He asked about the grading by the street; Mr. Maloon said the recharge will be through an old pit, which will be filled. Mr. DeMassi asked to see building envelopes on the plans. Mr. Maloon said he would put the zoning setbacks on the plan; Mr. Annino said he would like to see the limits of clearing as well. Motion: To continue the public hearing to March 23, 200S at 7:30 p.rn. (Armstrong-Jenkins) Five in favor. Frenchabstained. PASSES s. Specialrermit U.....g-Wirtle$s ,CDIlimu'-lioD '~Co-lMatiG'" SOlltbWestel1l BeDS'lIlsdba CUt.... Wireles!l-2~trraDds Avenue ' [Mr. Holmes returned to the meeting at this time] The clerk read the public hearing notice. Mr. French explained how the public hearing would be conducted. Dan Belizikian, Cingular, explained the co-location on an existing concrete tower at 241 Francis Ave, with a pre-fabricated shelter which will sit next to the building, an ~ emergency electrical power generator and a SOO-gallon underground propane tank. Cingular's RF Engineer explained the computer model of what the site would look like and they signal level for Mansfield. Department Head Comments The clerk read memos from Patrolman Lawson; Lt. Towne; Ann Langille, Light Department; Elizabeth Leidhold, Conservation Agent; John Sullivan, Town Engineer; and Mr. Burke. Board Comment Mr. DeMassi asked about the underground storage tank and whether the Conservation Agent is aware of that. Mr. French said ifit is outside 100 feet ofa we~ it is outside the commission's jurisdiction. Mr. Belizikian said there are no wetlands within 200 feet. Mr. Holmes asked about the generator. Mr. Belizikian said it will run one hour per week, which will be done mid-day. He said this is an industrial site, so any noise will be lost, and the nearest residence is about 1,200 feet away. Mr. Holmes asked how loud the , //~enerator is; Mr. Belizikian explained it operates at about 70 decibels and will only " operate in emergencies. ~ Mr. DeMassi asked how long a SOD-gallon tank would allow the generator to run; Mr. Belizikian said it would probably last months. Mr. Annino asked for specs on the generator. Mr. Jenkins said the size ofthe tank is a benefit, because if power were lost throughout town, this facility would provide an important service to the residents. He ,- said he wouldn't suggest decreasing the size of the tank. Mr. Annino suggested the board could require mufflers and noise abatements. Mr. Armstrong said there may be existing generators for the other carriers; Mr. Belizikian said he doesn't tbinkthere are any existing outdoor generators, but said Verizon has an equipment shelter with a generator inside. Mr. Annino asked about the colors; Mr. Belizikian said the prefabricated shelters are buff pre-cast concrete, which will match the existing building. The antennas will be painted to match the building. Mr. Belizikian explained the shelter will be placed on an existing concrete slab. Mr. Annino said the building code requires footings below the frost level. Mr. Belizikian said it will be constructed to code. He said there is one small section of ice bridge, which supports the coaxial cables, between the shelter and the building. Mr. Annnio asked about the fence; Mr. Belizikian said they would be installing an eight- foot high chain link fence and a gate. ,- Mr. Holmes asked about the total square footage of antennae on the structure. He noted the Zoning By-Law allows SO square feet of antenna per face. Mr. Belizikian explained his panels are 16 square feet eac~ for a total of 40 feet, and said he did not know the size of the other carriers. Mr. French said the Building Inspector would need to know that prior to issuing a building permit. Mr. Jenkins asked about the power; Mr. Belizikian said they would be sub-metering off the landlord's power. He said the site is already paved, which will be replaced after the excavation. Mr. Annino asked for a note to that effect. Mr. French noted the wireless by.law encourages co-location, and this is a good site on which to do that. Mr. Jenkins noted this is an industrial area, and the tower is quite a distance from any residential property. Mr. DeMassi asked if the RF energy would be similar to what is being put out by the other carriers and asked how that would affect abutters. The RF engineer said it would be similar and would not affect residences. Motion: To approve the special permit subject to standard conditions and requiring the applicant to provide the Building Inspector an answer to the antenna square footage issue; r~quiring a mufller on the emergency generator to mitigate noise issues; satisfying the >,/Fire Department comment about the propane tank and requiring the pavement be patched tmd repaired (Torman-Armstrong) Torman - In favor. The benefits outweigh the detriments ,'- Holmes - In favor. The project will provide the benefit of better service to the Town ,~ DeMassi - In favor. The proposal meets the intent of the Zoning By-Law and will provide better service Annino - In favor. The benefits outweigh the detriments Armstrong - In favor. The benefits of better service outweigh the minimal detriments Jenkins - In favor. The benefits outweigh the detriments with increased service French - In favor. The proposal conforms to the intent of the co-location by-law All in favor. PASSES Motion: To close public hearing (Tonnan-Annino) All in favor. PASSES t(~~C;'$i*~..;.".*"i~_~,.g....i~~!'.JI.1'lj~~ Dana Clow, Advanced Concepts Engineering, explained the plans for the former Grief Brothers building. The site is 7.8 acres and has an existing building with office space in the front of the building and warehouse/manufacturing in the back. There are eight loading docks along the back of the site. ~ The proposal is to provide a truck access into the building. There is an area at the back of the building with an elevated roof line which would be suitable for this. They will need a 24x24 door at that area, which currently rises up slightly and is mounded over the storm drain line, with overgrown meadow and light tree line. About 6,000 square feet of pavement at existing grade would be removed and replaced with a paved area coming out 160 feet from the building and 120 feet wide. The transition from that to the existing building would be loamed and seeded with a maximum slope of 5-1, and a guard rail along the top. There will be a retaining wall constructed along the back of the building. There will be a total of23,000 square feet net gain of pavement area. Mr. Clow explained because of the grades on site, they would not be able to install a catch basin system to collect stormwater, so they propose a small sediment fore bay and 300 feet of flat water quality swale and infiltration trench. With that, he said they meet and exceed TSS removal. ~ Mr. Clow explained there is a drainage ditch along the property line that goes under Plymouth Street, and which required a filing for Request for Determination of Applicability with the Conservation Commission. He said the work would be within the , JOO-foot buffer of the drainage ditc~ but the grading runs away from the resource area. / He said if the commission decides there is an issue, they will file a Notice ofIntent. / ./ Mr. Clow said they currently have 5~!cl open space, and will have 54% after construction. Department Head Comments The clerk read memos from the Electric, Conservation, Police and Mr. Burke ~ Mr. Clow explained they have a larger plan in mind, and have discussed the possibility of preparing the surface for storage of trailers while they are not being used. He said that would have to be paved with bituminous surface, and if they wanted to use a different material they would have to go to the ZBA. Therefore, they are only applying to do the loading dock area now and may do the rest of the site later. Mr. Annino asked about lighting; Mr. Clow explained one pole will be added at the back; there is some existing lighting. Mr. Annino said he would like to see a photometric plan with low cutoff fixtures to avoid spillover. Mr. Annino asked about curbing around the new pavement; Mr. Clow said there would be cape cod berm installed to create a gutter. He said the reinforced concrete retaining wall will be maximum four feet and tapers down, with a guard rail on top. Mr. Annio asked about landscaping; Mr. Clow said the meadow area behind the building will be paved for the loading dock and there is no new landscaping proposed. Mr. Annino" said he would like to see some landscaping, especially at the slope. Mr. Clow said they could plant some ornamental trees in that area. Mr. Clow said no new signage is proposed and there will be no change to the internal site circulation. ~ Mr. Jenkins welcomed Miller Recycling to Mansfield. He asked what is along the left side of the building now; Mr. Clow said there are eight loading docks, behind the building is a rail siding, beyond that is the Chrysler trailer storage building and beyond that is Route 495. Mr. Clow said the soccer field entrance is further down Plymouth Street, on the other side of the street. Mr. Clow said they employ 20 people and would like to grow to 30 people. He has provided Officer Lawson with a week's worth of traffic counts on their existing facility; the weekday peak hour would havell-12 vehicle trips going to the Plymouth/School Street intersection. He said he thought the Grief Brothers traffic was probably similar. Mr. DeMassi said the board is concerned about the School/Plymouth intersection now; Mr. Jenkins suggested having the trucks going north on Route 140 stay in the park and use Forbes Boulevard; Mr. Miller said they would instruct their drivers to do that. ~ Dr. Torman asked about the rail line; Mr. Clow explained it is a dead-end spur, which they will be using. Dr. Torman asked about vehicle trips per day; Mr. Clow said they ~ould have an average of 123 vehicle trips over a lO-hour period. Mr. Miller said they 6~rate on Saturday mornings with minimal trucks. Mr. DeMassi asked if any other exterior changes are proposed; Mr. Clow said no. Mr. Miller said everything will be done inside the building. He said they recycle mainly paper, plastic and metals, and the majority of their business is commercial. 'r-- Motion: To send the Building Inspector a positive recommendation with the standard conditions and Police and Engineering comments addressed, a photometric plan with low cutoff luminaries be submitted to Building Inspector; and minimal landscaping shown on the slope near loading docks (Annino-Armstrong) AU in favor. PASSES [Mr. Jenkins left the meeting at this time] 7.~~jjdi~~FJl1it...."Iit.~riDg/COlltiBUCMI-..R..YR."R.~Cfen~Codl,.uDd_ Th~~t$oR'~st,Strtet ....Step..~W~~1 Kevin Walker, K&J Engineering, explained the revisions to the plans. He has spoken with the Engineering Department and has done the permeability testing. Mr. Field bad requested pre-treatment before the runoff enters the infiltration basins. Mr. Walker said he is proposing a water quality inlet with a 1,500 gallon pre-treatment basin. From there, water will discharge to an underground crushed stone trench with loam and seed on top. Mr. Walker said the abutters are concerned about vehicle lights and asked if the driveway for the existing house could remain on East Street. He said if the board didn't want that change, they would install plantings to help block the headlights. Publie Comment Paul Split 912 East Street, said there is water pooling in front ofhis house. He said the r-- puddle is almost 30 feet long and was caused by the East Street sewer installation. Mr. Walker explained all the water from this property would go back into the property. He said he visited the site during a rainstorm and agreed there is puddling in East Street, but said nothing on this site will effect this problem. Mr. Split asked about the fire hydrant; Mr. Walker said it would not have to be moved. Mr. Split asked about the street light; Mr. Walker said there is a light across the street that appears to shed enough light to illuminate the entrance. Mr. Annino asked about interior lighting; Mr. Walker said he would add that to the plan. Mr. Split said he would like the size and type of tree to be planted to screen his property shown on the plan; he said he has spoken with the developer about that, and they have agreed the trees would be planted on Mr. Split's property. He has asked for 8-1O-foot high arbor vitae, planted ball to ball, to create a hedgerow. Mr. Walker suggested planting 15 arbor vitae between Stations 0+20 and 0+50. r-- Mr. Annino asked the plans be revised to show the existing house, garage and driveway, the plantings on Mr. Split's property and the streetlights. . John Olden, 890 East Street, said his house is 15 feet from East Street and if the driveway for the existing house comes off the new road, street lights will shine in his window. Mr. French said he would prefer the driveway be on Roy Road because it will remove one curb cut and clean up the intersection. He suggested there could be landscaping along that property line. Mr. Olden said that would be acceptable and suggested the driveway be curved slightly. r Mr. Split said after his driveway, the sidewalk on East Street continues to the property line and stops, then continues across the street. There is a crosswalk in :.front of Mr. Split's house, partly in his driveway. He suggested the crosswalk should be at the intersection of the new roadway. Mr. Holmes said that is what the board had discussed. Mr. Armstrong said the crosswalk conJdn'! be pnt in the middle of the intersection. Mr. Walker suggested extending the sidewalk to Roy Road and leaving the crosswalk where it is. Mr. DeMassi said since the area is being reconstructed anyway, the crosswalk could be moV<:d. Mr. Walker said they could do that, and construct aoo!her handicapped ramp at Roy Road. Mr." Annino said the board had requested more detai.l on house locations, landscaping, radii, connection of Roy Road to East Street, curbing, street sign and open space Motion: To continue the public hearing to April 27, 2005 at 7:30 p.rn. (Torman-Annino) All in favor. PASSES r- Motion: To adjourn at 11:00 p.rn. (Torman-Armstrong) All in favor. PASSES Next meeting: March 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.rn. &1P~~ Signature of Clerk :J /.<'1 /DJ~ Date of Approval