Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Brd Min_927199595 OCT 27 AN 5: L9 11Ai; -_ 11C MATS; %, CHIISET TJ PLANNING BOARD MINUTES September 27, 1995 PRESENT: Acting Chairman Sullivan, Acting Clerk Bonda PLANNERS: Dolan, Flynn, McShane, Trombetta 1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. Motion To appoint Clerk Sullivan Acting Chairman and Planner Bonda Acting Clerk (Dolan- Sullivan) All in favor. PASSES 2. Site Plan Review Continued - Old Colony Motors Ralph Maloon, RIM Engineering, presented a landscaping plan for the site on West Street including arborvitae and removable barriers in front of the cars. The board would like the arborvitae to be six feet tall and for the landscaping plan to be incorporated into the application. Board Comment The clerk read new correspondence. Planner Flynn asked if the plan meets the landscaping requirements, and noted the plan should be signed by a registered landscape engineer. Mr. Maloon said he had made changes to the plan as requested by the board. Acting Chairman Sullivan said the chain link fence should be on the Old Colony side of the property line. Mr. Maloon suggested the board request that in its recommendation to the building inspector. Mr. Burke suggested the 15 foot required setback and open space issues should also be added to the recommendation. He added the plan doesn't seem to meet the requirements of Section 4.3.6 and the board should recommend the building inspector determine if a variance is needed. Motion: To send the Building Inspector a positive recommendation with the following conditions. 1. The landscaping plan should become part of the application 2. The approval should note the fence be relocated to the Old Colony side of the property line with trees between the fence and the abutter. 3. That the building inspector examine the plan for conformance to the 15 -foot setback and open space requirements. 4. That the arborvitaes on the chain link fence be six feet high 5. That all lights on site be shielded 6. That the light at the back corner of the lot be eliminated 7. That all existing trees shown on the plan along the Rumford River be retained. 8. That the letter from abutters Nancy Wall and Phillip Loving be made part of the decision. (Dolan- Bonda) Four in favor. One abstention, PASSES 2. Joint Meeting - East Street Traffic Calming Options Present: David Young, MBC, Emil Giordano, School Committee, Amos Robinson, Board of Selectmen, Patrolman Lance Lawson, Police Chief Arthur O'Neill Mr. Burke explained the issue of traffic cahning had been brought up during the school site plan reviews, and there had been a concern about how to get additional parking without losing fields and lawns. In a memorandum, Mr. Burke identified several ideas and possible layout changes, including limiting access through signage during school hours, closing the street'and making two cul -de -sacs, and leaving the street open as a through way but presenting obstacles to reduce speed. He added this would likely increase traffic on other streets, such as Hope. Mr. Robinson was concerned about the traffic changes to other neighborhoods, especially if the train station traffic moves to East Mansfield. Chief O'Neill said he appreciated the goals, but thought it a bad idea. He said East Street is a major artery and blocking it would change the face of other neighborhoods, especially Hope and Branch Streets. He said the Park/Hope/East Street and Pratt/East Street intersections are already confusing and not suited to the constant turning motions these ideas would cause. Chief O'Neill said blocking or impeding traffic would be unacceptable from a public safety point of view, would cause a false sense of security, and would make enforcement difficult. Officer Lawson said East Street is a major commuter route, with 2,000 vehicle trips per day going north and 4,000 vehicle trips per day going south. He added that East Street is a public way, and introducing obstructions into the way is illegal per Mass Highway - it would have to be made a private way, at which point the Mansfield Police Department would have no enforcement authority. Officer Lawson said that section is an unposted 40 mph zone, and most vehicles go 34 -38, so speeding isn't really a big problem. He said these ideas would overload other intersections with left turning movements, which he said cause more accidents. Emil Giordano said Chief O'Neill's comments were well taken and asked if the speed limit could be lowered. Officer Lawson told him Mass Highway would have to be petitioned, which would take a long time and a number of traffic and speed studies. Chief O'Neill said he was willing to work on that. Planner Dolan was not as concerned about speed as he was the volume of cars and children being dropped off and picked up. Officer Lawson suggested widening the road with two through lanes in the center and frontage roads on either side for pick up and drop off. Planner Flynn was concerned about on- street parking creating more problems. Chief O'Neill said it may be getting to the point where perhaps only seniors should be allowed to bring cars to school. Mr. Young said the MBC had tried to make the school area more pedestrian friendly with additional sidewalks and suggested narrowing the roadway and better defining parking areas. He also suggested signage to give those using the pick up and drop off areas more direction. Mr. Burke suggested offseting the travel lanes to make parking spaces on one side. Cheif O'Neill was concerned that could be a problem for bus sight distance. Officer Lawson suggested keeping a 20 foot area on either side of the driveways for bus sight distance. Chief O'Neill was willing to consider the best use of the existing road and would consider leaving the roadway the same width with travel lanes and a frontage road. Mr. Burke suggested a petition to Mass Highway requesting the speed limit be lowered. Chief O'Neill explained 35 mph was probably enforceable and reasonable. Officer Lawson said the Board of Selectmen as Road Commissioners would have to send Mass Highway a letter with the Planning Board sending a letter of support. 3. Master Plan Interviews and Appointments Acting Chairman Sullivan explained the process and asked each applicant to tell a little about themselves. Bill Murphy, 670 Elm Street, has been a resident for two years, attended Dr. Mullin's charette and found them interesting. Robert Cross, 24 Shiloh Drive, has been a residents for two years, runs his own business and enjoys long -term planning. He would like to get involved and has a moderate position on most things. Paul Folkman, 190 Winter Street, has been a resident for 15 years and was formerly the Planning Director. He is a real estate developer who owns his own business, served on the Water Resource Committee, the first Master Plan Committee, and the Board of Assessor's. He also attended Dr. Mullin's charettes and said he could bring some continuity to the process. Cheryl Stocks - Stapleton, 84 Charles Street, was involved in the public hearings on the Back Bay Circle subdivision and would like to be further involved. Karl Clemmey, 750 South main Street, has been involved in town business for 30 years as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, and Industrial Development Commission. He knows the history of the town and is familiar with the zoning by -law. Thomas Prestwich, 4 Shady Brook Lane, has been a resident for 10 years, owns his own business and is active in the Main Street Merchants Association. He is concerned with the growth in town and has been involved in downtown revitalization projects in other communities. Lionel Brooks, 74 Potash Road, has been a resident for eight years and has worked with a wide variety of business owners. He is familiar with the growth problems experienced in other towns, represents the "new" people, but is also concerned about the growth of the industrial park and downtown. William Madan, 30 Winthrop Street, is a lifelong resident who served on the Growth Management Committee, Planning Board, and the first Master Plan committee. He is familiar with the Master Plan process and the limited funds available to produce it. He can bring information from the last Master Plan and is concerned about the need to do an Economic Development Plan. Kathleen Nash, 235 South Main Street, attended Dr. Mullin's charettes and is enthusiastic about citizen participation in town. She plans to stay in town and would like to participate. Planner McShane armed at this point. Board Questions Mr. Burke said he would like to think the process will take eight to 12 months to complete with meetings every two weeks or so. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked if the applicants would be able to handle that commitment. Everyone said they would be able to. Motion: To appoint Kathleen Nash to the Master Plan Committee (Bonda- Flynn) Motion: To appoint Bill Madan to the Master Plan Committee (Flynn- Trombetta) Motion: To appoint Robert Cross to the Master Plan Committee (Trombetta -Dolan) Motion: To appoint Lionel Brooks to the Master Plan Committee (Bonda- Flynn) Motion: To appoint Paul Folkman to the Master Plan Committee (Sullivan - Bonda) Planner Trombetta voted for Mr. Madan, Mr. Cross, Mi. Brooks Planner Flynn voted for Mr. Brooks, Mrs. Nash, Mr. Madan Planner McShane abstained Acting Clerk Bonda voted for Mrs. Nash, Mr. Brooks, Mr. Madan Planner Dolan voted for Mrs. Nash, Mr. Madan, Mr. Brooks Acting Chairman Sullivan voted for Mrs. Nash, Mr. Madan, Mr. Folkman The three citizens -at -large on the Master Plan Committee will be Kathleen Nash, Bill Madan, and Lionel Brooks. Mr. Burke told them they would have to be sworn in by the Town Clerk. 4. Correspondence 1. ZBA application for variance - Royle - 46 Riverside Drive The application is for an addition - to put it on the other side of the house would require cutting down a mature tree. Motion: To send the ZBA a positive recommendation (Flynn- Trombetta) All in favor. PASSES 2. ZBA application for variance - 18 -20 Heritage Lane The application is for an addition with a 15 foot setback. Motion: To send the ZBA a positive recombination (Dolan- Trombetta) Five in favor. One abstention. PASSES 3. Planning Board minutes September 13, 1995 Motion: To approve as written (Flynn - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 4. Letter from Attorney Mangiaratti RE: Eastleigh Estates North Phase ll 5. Letter to Ron Bonvie RE: Massapoag drainage area 6. Letter to Rick Bodio RE: Jameson Farm sidewalk 7. Memo from Board of Selectmen RE: acquisition of Scott(Goyea Land 8. Letter to Attorney Mangiaratti RE: Williams Street scenic road 9. Letter to Mass Highway RE: Willams Street scenic road 10. Memo from Gale Farrugia RE: Master Plan Advisory Committee appointee 11. Memo from Judy Scott RE: Special Town Meeting 12. Letter from Herb Fuller RE: street acceptances 13. ZBA decision - 340 Hope Street - Granted 14. ZBA decision - 251 Central Street - Granted 5. Public Comment Ed Benson asked the board for a vote on his petition to rezone Garden Street. The Bensons have found they own the property, and the town has no interest. Motion: To send Town Meeting a positive recommendation on the warrant article. The board is in support of amending the map to reflect both sides of the street be residentially zoned because the board understands from town counsel that the Bensons are the owners of the property. (Dolan - Flynn) Five in favor. One abstention. PASSES Motion: To adjourn following site plan review of the municipal projects in the Board of Selectmen's meeting room. (Flynn - Trombetta) All in favor. PASSES 7. Site Plan Review - Municipal Projects . Park Row School - David Young, Municipal Building Chairman, introduced the project's architects, who gave a brief overview of the layout of the building, with a link to Memorial Hall, a handicapped entrance and elevator. The clerk read the department head comments. The architects said they had revised the plans to reflect the comments, and distributed a memorandum addressing each point. Park Row will be made a one -way street with 30 spaces in front and a driveway into the back parking lot (off Union Street) with 34 spaces. There will be two handicapped spaces in the rear lot and two in the front. Total parking will be for 75 cars, several fewer than the zoning by -law requires. There will be a fire lane the length of Park Row and the dumpster will be on a pad and fenced. Both lots will have shielded lights and there will be a gate to close off the back parking lot. Some large maple trees will be preserved, along with additional planting. The roof will drain into street drains. The curbing, berms, and sidewalks will be concrete with cross walks, signage and a new light and a gate at the Union Street entrance. Public Comment Al Turinese said private parking on a public way is not allowed. Mr. Young said they had discussed closing Park Row as a public way. Mr. Turinese asked if that meant there wasn't enough parking without Park Row and asked if closing the road would require a Town Meeting vote. He added there seemed to be two sets of rules - one for the town, one for everyone else. Steve McCaffrey, MBC member, said there are apartment buildings in town that use public parking spaces and that when those buildings were a school and library, those spaces on the street were used for public parking. Dianne Royle, Board of Selectmen, said the intent was not to reserve parking and the spaces will be used as they were when the school and library were open. Bill Madan said there would not be enough parking and that a Town Meeting vote would be needed to abandon Park Row. He asked what the status of the project would be without that vote. Mr. Young said they were looking for direction from Town Meeting. Board Comment Planner McShane asked if the parking issues could be handled through a variance and asked what purpose abandoning Park Row would serve. Mr. Young said that would put the street under the town's direction and he did not think spaces on a public way could be counted toward the parking requirements. Planner McShane asked about buffering in the back lot and suggested a stockade fence and plantings as required by the by -law. He asked if the width of the curve from Union Street was wide enough for turning into the back parking lot (employee's lot) and was told it has a 60 foot radius. Acting Clerk Bonda asked about security lighting in the back lot and was told there would be three shielded lights in the back, lights on the building, and at the entrance, all ofwhich would be on a timer. Planner Dolan asked about parking on meeting nights if the back lot is to be gated off after dark. Mr. Young said that lot could be kept open on busy nights. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked how high the lights would be and was told 20 feet, but they would be recessed and boxed so they would not bother the abutters. Mr. Burke thanked the MBC and the architects for their efficient way of dealing with the staff comments, but said parking is still an issue to be dealt with and it should conform with the zoning by -law. He said the town can seek a variance because of the size of the land. Police Station - The architect explained the building perimeter would remain as is and the station 'will be done after Park Row is completed. An access road will be constructed behind the building to alleviate traffic congestion. The gravel lot will be paved and a dumpster on a pad will be added. There will be an outside area for washing cruisers, for which they have an Order of Conditions from the Conservation Commission. Modifications have been made to paved areas to provide handicapped access and parking. Seventeen parking spaces will be added, with handicapped spaces in the front. A guard rail will be added to the back of the building next to the river. Manholes and catch basins will be added and tied to the existing system. The clerk read the department head comments, and a memorandum and revised plans addressing each was distributed. Board Comment Planner McShane asked about the rationale behind the access road along the river, concerned with its proximity to the water and safety issues. Mr. Young said this single 12 foot lane would improve the traffic flow pattern. Planner McShane asked about Patrolman Lawson's comment concerning the slope of the road near the river. The architect explained Officer Lawson had been concerned about the lack of a guard rail, so the grade was redone and the rail proposed to match the slope. Mr. Young said they plan to use the existing landscaping except for the new road behind the building. He said he did not think the entire landscaping should be redone if the building is not changing. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked if the access road would be paved and how the additional runoff would be accounted for. He was told it would be paved, with two catch basins and manholes to tie into the existing system, which would slightly increase the rate of water going into the river. Soil tests have not yet been done, and drainage calculations have not been submitted, though an Order of Conditions has been issued. Mr. Young said he would get the drainage calculations to the Town Engineer, Mr. Burke thanked the MBC and architects for responding to the staff comments. He said the zoning by -law says when parking is added, landscaping and screening regulations apply, but said the building inspector would have to decide if they would apply to the whole site or just where the parking is to be added. He suggested a variance is a possibility, since the landscaping and buffering section has a special permit available through a variance. Mr. McCaffrey asked if paving an existing parking area indicate an increase in spaces. Mr. Burke said that was a decision the building inspector would have to make. West Mansfield Fire Station - The new station will have three bays with offices and living quarters. The wetlands have been flagged and all work will be done outside the 10 foot buffer, with most of that work done by the town. A landscaping plan has not been submitted because everything outside that 10 feet will be kept as is, and everything inside will be paved. Most of the site will remain heavily treed and wetland. Access to the site will be one way around either side of a grassed island. Utilities will come off Plymouth Street to the back of the building. In some cases, the 10 foot buffer was encroached with swales, which the Conservation Commission is aware o£ Drainage will include two swales flowing into smaller swales with suspended solids removed by the wetland vegetation. The clerk read the department head comments, and a memo and revised plans addressing the comments were distributed. Board Comment Planner Dolan asked if slope granite or cape cod berm would be used and was told the Town Engineer wanted concrete. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked about lighting and was told all lighting would be off the building. He said a landscaping plan should be submitted. Mr. Burke said the revised plans appear to address the staff comments. He suggested this may be a good site for the special permit from the ZBA he had mentioned, because it didn't make sense to cut mature trees to plant smaller ones. He added if the town promulgates and administers regulations, it should lead by example. Motion: To close public comment (Trombetta- Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Planner McShane said the building inspector would have to determine compliance. Motion: To send the building inspector a positive recommendation on the Park Row School site plan with the conditions that he make sure it complies with zoning, that the parking spaces on Park Row are not restricted, that the back lot be left open for meetings, but that there be a time set to lock the gate and turn off the lights. (McShane - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To send the building inspector a positive recommendation with the conditions that the drainage calculations be submitted to the Town Engineer, reviewed, and his comments be incorporated, that the building inspector verify the landscaping plan meets the landscaping provisions of the zoning by -law, what landscaping provisions, if any, paving the gravel parking area will trigger, and that an Order of Conditions be submitted. (Dolan - McShane) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To send the building inspector a positive recommendation with the conditions that a landscaping plan be provided and the building inspector verify its conformance to zoning and decide whether the plan will require a variance or special permit. (Dolan- McShane) All in favor. PASSES Date of next meeting: Wednesday, October 11, 1995 at 7:00 P.M. Signature of Clerk Date of Approval