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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Brd Min_5241995PLANNING BOARD MIN=S MAY 24, 1995 PRESENT: Chairman French, Clerk Sullivan PLANNERS: Bonda, Dolan, Flynn, McShane, Trombetta Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development 1. Public Hearing Continued - Woodland Park Motion: To open and continue the public hearing until 7:45 P.M. (Bonda - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 2. Correspondence Motion: To appoint Planner Bonda Acting Clerk (Dolan - McShane) All in favor. PASSES 1. Letter from Representative Barbara Hyland RE: Day Care Centers 2. Letter to the Bristol Cty Conservation Dist RE: Open Space and Recreation Plan 3. Memo to MBC RE: School Projects Site Plan 4. Memo to Board of Selcctment RE: Train Station Relocation 5. Memo to Department Heads from Scott Leite RE: The Elms 1. Public Hearing Continued - Woodland Park The clerk read new correspondence. Traffic Engineer Joe Giordano explained his traffic study, which involved data collection of existing conditions, new traffic conditions, and putting the two together to draw conclusions. He said he did counts during peak traffic periods, got the last three years' accident data from the Mansfield Police Department and took field measurements. He estimated the traffic the proposed plan will generate, 450 trips per day, with an additional 34 during the peak morning hours and 46 during the peak evening hours. He said the majority of the traffic leaving the subdivision in the morning would be going north, and would be coming from the north in the afternoon. Mr. Giordano did figures with and without the opening of Edgewood Street, and said with Edgewood open, traffic would be spread out more during the peak hours. He explained the traffic engineering method to determine how an intersection is operating by comparing existing conditions with anticipated future conditions. He said Edgewood Street is currently at Level A and would remain so after the subdivision is built, as there are plenty of gaps in the South Main Street stream of traffic for cars coming from the side streets to exit. Public Comment Debbie Snyder, 29 Fruit Street, asked how Mr. Giordano arrived at the 34 figure for the morning hours. Mr. Giordano explained he used standard reference methods. Board Comment Planner Dolan asked about the Police Department accident figures. Mr. Giordano responded that according to their records, there have been five accidents in the last three years. Norm Parks, 396 South Main Street, said there had been 73 accidents there since the 1970s and tine police don't do reports on each one. Planner McShane asked if Mr. Giordano had looked at cacti intersection that would be, effected. Mr. Giordano said he looked at each indi,,iduaih, then at the cumulative effect. He added the level of seraice would not be decreased and there would not be a measurable difference in the tune it would take to exit the side streets. Joan Graney asked if Smiley Avenue would be enlarged or repaved. Mr. Giordano explained the ABC streets are minor roads and will remain so, since there is no need to change them for safety reasons. Mr. Burke asked what the change in traffic volume would be with and without Edgewood Street open. Mr. Giordano told him in the morning, when traffic is leaving the area, there would be an additional 8 vehicles without Edgewood Street, and an additional 5 vehicles with Edgewood Street. Ivhr. Burke asked if that meant with Edgewood Street open, there would be less traffic exiting from the ABC streets in the morning and less entering in the evening. Mr. Giordano said that was correct. Jean Parks, 396 South Main, asked if when discussing traffic, did Mr. Giordano mean all vehicles, including trucks? He told her all vehicles had been considered. Ivi s. Parks asked how far up South Main Street the police reports covered. Mr. Giordano explained the figures were for the intersections to the subdivision and three others along that stretch of road. Jeff Sienna, 364 South Main Street said with Edgewood being done over, more people would use it than the older ABC streets. Mr. Giordano said that was possible, but the traffic should still distribute pretty evenly. Mr. Sienna mentioned the effect Great Woods has on the South Main Street traffic. Mr. Giordano explained the subdivision's peak hours would be different than Great Woods peak hours. Norm Parks asked what the pre- and post - development traffic would be at the intersection of South Main and Fruit Streets. Ivh-. Giordano told him pre - development in the morning, 88 cars left Fruit Street and 37 entered. Post - development, there will be 95 leaving and 38 entering. In the evening, there are 99 entering Fruit Street, and post development there will be 107 entering. Ralph Maloon, RIM Engineering, told the board he had added an earthen berm to the plan from Edgewood to Marshall to be 18 inches high, five feet off the property line in a 20 foot easement. He also did a drainage study and test holes, raised the drainage area one foot, shifted the low point of the drainage area and added one detention basin to pick up the pipes. Mr. Maloon said Edgewood Street is a public way, and the developer does not have a comer rounding easement on the side of the property bounded by Cherokee Ltd. He also added lot 22 to the open space and amended the migiiial scliool data. Public Comment Mr. Parks asked what would prevent the homeowners from removing berms. Mr. Maloon said the}' would be in a drainage easement, so the town would control the berms. Mr. Burke explained when the street is accepted by tine town, the easement is also, and the berm can be referenced in the deeds for those lots. IVIr. Sienna said that was done with houses near the airport runway, so the homeowner is aware. He asked if the berms would be extended clown the lots along Edgewood Street. Mr. Maloon explained everything on Edgewood would drain toward Edgewood, and there would be a berm on two sides of the Sienna property. Tod Snyder, 29 Fruit Street asked if sewer stubs would be provided out to Fruit Street. Ralph said he wouldn't be able to because the area will not be on gravity sewer, but he could do force main connections to the property lines. Chairman French asked if that should be added to the plan. 1Nh-. Maloon said he could add it. Tom Graney, Beech Street asked about the open space. Chairman French explained that after three years, the town can purchase the open space lots, but if it does not, those lots can be developed. Board Comment Planner Dolan asked about the depth of the detention basins and whether it would be fenced. Mr. Burke said the developer was not obligated to fence it, and it will be approximately six feet deep and hold 1.8 feet of water in the 100 -year storm. Planner Dolan asked if the applicant was requesting any waivers. NIr. Maloon said they would like to use ADS pipe rather than concrete for the drainage system. Planner Flynn asked if Edgewood would be opened. Ivh•. Maloon said it would. Planner Flynn was concerned about how the berm would look and asked if it could be blended in to look more natural. Mr. Burke suggested it could be wider so as not to be so pronounced. Mr. Maloon said he could regrade. Planner Flynn asked about the regulations said concerning detention areas. Mr. Burke said they do not have to be fenced, but it will be loamed and seeded to stabilize the banks. Planner Flynn asked if the board could require plantings around the basin. Nil, Burke said it could be made a condition of approval, though it would be a significant area to screen. Mr. Burke said Smiley Avenue is currently constructed up to a point, and the applicant will build the other part; he asked Mr. Maloon what he planned for the part to be built. Mr. Maloon said he planned to do 28 foot pavement with sidewalks on both sides to meet the existing part of Smiley Avenue. Clerk Sullivan arrived at this point. Mr. Sienna requested the name on his property be corrected. Planner Flynn and Chairman French were pleased with the quality of the traffic report. Motion: To close the public healing (Dolan - Flynn) Five in favor. Two abstentions. PASSES Planner Dolan asked if there had been an), problems using ADS pipe. Mr. Burke said it had the same or better load capacity, and does not rot like concrete. He thought the waiver would serve the public interest, as lvh•. Maloon was helping drainage problems. Motion: To grant the waiver for the use of ADS pipe in place of concrete (Dolan- Sullivan) Planner Flynn asked about the difference in cost. Mr. Maloon said it was negligible, and the savings would be hi the installation because ADS is lighter. Siff in favor. One abstention. PASSES Planner Dolan said he was willing to vote in favor of a positive decision if the berm were shortened and spread out. Planner Flynn asked about the detention area. Clerk Sullivan did not like its shape and said it should follow the contour of the road. Chairman French suggested making reconfiguring the detention area a condition of approval. \•If. \daloon said he would reshape the detention area to make it more curvelinear. The board discussed making the following conditions of approval: making the berm shorter and more spread out, redesigning the detention basin. adding the grinder pump force main note to the plan, detailing improvements to emsting streets. In a straw vote, the board was six in favor with one abstention to approve the plan. Planner Flvnn asked Nlr. Burke to look at whether the open space lots chosen are the most appropriate. 3. Public Hearing Continued - EastPield Village The clerk read new correspondence. Paul Folkman, the applicant, said he had not heard back from Tata and Howard. the town's water consultants, so he would not be able to address the water questions. Ralph Maloon, RRvl Engineering showed the board a more curvelinear design for the detention basin. He said it would require a waiver on the 100 foot setback, but it would be 100 feet from the existing house lot. Concerning blasting, ivlr. Foll<man said he would notify the abutters prior to beginning, and would get a list to do a certified mailing 30 days before road construction begins. \rtr. Folkman said anyone outside the 500 foot distance required to be surveyed could call his office and he would connect them with the blasting company. He said the question was whether his company or the abutters would pay for the surveys beyond the 500 foot circle, and added the blasting company he uses would be willing to attend Ptan",u a meeting to discuss tlnei methods. i Public Comment Rick Gleason. 14 Lewis Road said he appreciated the board checking with the Fie Department on the regulations. but didn't think haying the blasting company come to a meeting would help. He said he would hold the developer and the blasting compan}' responsible for any damage lie experiences. Board Comment Mr. Burke said he had received no written opinion trom counsel regarding blastirr,. which he believes to be within the purview of the Fire Department. Phruier Dolan asked if the board could require surveys beyond i00 feet. sa }'ing he wanted all the abutters covered. Clerk Sullivan said since the Subdivision Regulations were to protect the safer of the residents. the board should be able to require additional swveys. Planner Flynn said the regulations don't address what the Planning Board can do about blasting or whether the board can ask the developer to be legally responsible. She suggested Mr. Burke get in touch with Don Schmidt. Mr. Burke said although the board may be concerned about things not under its responsibility, the board can't really deal with those issues. He said Clerk Sullivan may have a point about the issue coming under public safety, but said he wanted to hear from town counsel. Mi•. Folkman suggested getting an assessor's map and drawing rings out from the site to see how much extra surveying would be needed before getting in touch with town counsel. He said if it is only a few extra houses, he would have no problem doing them, but if there are many extra, perhaps a town counsel opinion would be in order. Clerk Sullivan asked why it had taken so long for Mr. Folkman to get his questions to Tata and Howard. Mr. Folkman responded there had been a question about whether he had permission from the town to contact the water consultants, and it had been a busy time of year for his company. Planner Bonda was concerned about the ownership of the land for the future road easement and asked if Mr. Frain had granted his approval. Ivh•. Folkman said he had not, though the easement is on the plan. He said Ire would give the parcel for the road to Mr. Covett, but Mr. Frain would not. He said he could try to talk to Nh•. Frain again, but assured the board the approved plan would have the road stub reserved. Planner Flynn asked if water from the retention area would drain onto the Covett property. Mr. Burke said as it was originally designed, it would. If the easement is not granted, the Engineering Deaprtment had asked the retention area be redesigned so it does not. lvh•. Maloon said there would still be an emergency overflow. Planner Flynn asked if that would require Mr. Covetfs approval. Mr. 1A4aloon did not think so, since water flows there now and he would be reducing the depth during the 100 -year storm. Motion: To continue the public heating until July 19, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. with a corresponding extension of the Planning Board's deadline for decision until September 1, 1995. (Dolan- Bonda) All in favor. PASSES 4. School Projects Discussion Municipal Building Chairman David Young said the school plans were due to be submitted July 1, 1995, and though they will not be 100% complete by then, they will be far enough along. Dave Fisher, Keyes Associates, gave the board an overview of the Robinson, Qualters and High School additions. Kevin McBride, Keyes Associates. said they had spoken with the building inspector and hoped to meet with hit, at the end of klay. The Robinson School will utilize existing service connections with modifications for the additions. There will be new play areas in the front and rear of the building, a new parking area with a bus loop and visitor and handicapped parking, and a separate driveway for student drop -off. There are currently 73 parking spaces, which will increase to 116 with 5 handicapped spaces. A new drainage system and detention swales in the front and rear have received Conservation Commission approval. Total expansion will be 72 %, with an additional 44,300 square feet and an additional 20 -25 classrooms. Planner Flynn asked how the number of parking spaces was arrived at. The architects explained they used a formula with the number of classrooms, staff, and support staff within the town regulations. Planner McShane asked if the area currently used for parking on the East Street side would be used for a play area and if there would be buffering. The architects said the pavement would be removed and the area used as a play area, with a fence and sodded area separating the play and parking areas. The Qualters Middle School will have additions to the gym, classrooms and cafeteria. There will be separate bus and student drop -off areas, and the existing parking lot will be widened. There are currently 109 parking spaces, which will increase to 125 with four handicapped spots. Drainage will be modified, with an extra 26 rooms to make 42 classrooms. Mansfield High School will use the existing entrance at the front and have an additional exit for busses, visitor and handicapped parking, with an additional 15 spaces. The drainage system will be relocated. There will be sidewalk improvements and two handicapped accessible building additions. An additional 22 classrooms will be added for a total of 73. The existing road in back of the high school will be widened for two - way access. The architects will attend the June 21, 1995 Planning Board meeting with more detailed plans. 2. Correspondence Continued 6. Draft Decision - Special Permit - Nick Anagmos - Chauncy Street Motion: To sign the special permit subject to changing condition 4 to read "will repair or replace the fence where necessary" (Flynn - Sullivan) Dolan - In favor. 'file site is well kept, the applicant is working with abutters Sullivan - In favor. The applicant has addressed fire abutters concerns Flymn - In favor. The applicant has adhered to the special permit process Bonda - Abstain Trombetta - Abstain McShane - In favor. 'file use is an appropriate on for the site. French - In favor. The applicant conlorus to the regulations. Five in favor. Two abstentions. PASSES Draft Decision - Shawmut Ridge Motion: To approve the Shawmut Ridge definitive subdivision as amended with the conditions brought up at the May 17, 1995 meeting (Sullivan - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 3. Site Plan - DPW Salt Shed - Fruit Street Mr. Burke presented the plan showing the size and location of the building and its proximity to the nearest property lines. The closest residences are on Gladiola Terrace and the shed will not be seen from there. The clerk read a letter from Town Engineer Bob Swanson and a memo from Ivh-. Burke to Bertram Cook. Motion: To send the Building Inspector a positive recommendation for the DPW salt storage shed (Sullivan - Flynn) Six in favor. One abstention. PASSES 9. ZBA application for finding - 46 Benefit Street Motion: To send the ZBA a positive recommendation (Sullivan - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 10. ZBA application for variance - 999 East Street The addition would be five feet off the property line in a zone with a 25 foot sideyard setback requirement. Motion: To send the ZBA a negative recommendation, as the application is not in keeping with the intent of the sideyard setback requirements. (Flynn - Sullivan) All in favor. PASSES 11. ZBA application for variance - Matthew Lane The application only showed the existing structure and not the proposed. Motion: Not to send the ZBA a recommendation at this tune because there is not enough information for the board to make an informed decision. (Flynn - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 12. Memo from Tracy Pereira, Selectmen's Secretary RE: Broadcasting Planning Board meetings Planner Flynn said she did not mind being broadcast, but did not like to use the large meeting room. Motion: To reject the offer for the use of the Selectmen's meeting room and to be broadcast on cable. (Flynn - Mr. Burke suggested the board may want to be on television during the Master Plan process. Motion: To accept the invitation to use the large meeting room and be on television as needed, given the importance of the issues being taken up. (Sullivan - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 5. Public Comment Leonard Flynn, the Planning Board's representative to SRPEDD, said he had attended a meeting during which the Mansfield Tram Station was discussed. SRPEDD was trying to determine to what degree it should be involved in the issue, and he said they seemed to be willing to make a decision about the train station after one discussion. Mr. Flvim cautioned the group to learn more before iimking any decisions. 6. Around the Table Planner McShane asked Mr. Flynn if the Board of Selectmen had read the Planning Board's letter on the train station at its public hearing. Mr. Flynn said he arrived late but did'not think they read any correspondence. Planner Flynn suggested sending copies of the letter to the newspapers. Motion: To send copies of the train station letter to the Mansfield News and Sun Chronicle (Flynn - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Planner McShane suggested sending copies to the legislators. Planner Bonda proposed a site walk for Saturday, June 10, 1995 at 8:30 A.M. She also suggested meeting every week. Chairman French said he thought things would improve after the subdivisions are completed, and the board can start work on Master Plan and zoning issues. Chairman French said he would like to have a workshop on the Subdivision Regulations amendments before having a public hearing. Planner Dolan said the board should be able to require the Eastfield developers to extend the survey area. 7. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 12:00 A.M. (Sulivan- Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Date of next meeting: June 7, 1995 at 7:30 P.M. Signature of Clerk Date of Approval