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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Brd Min_1171996}} PLANNING BOARD MINUTES January 17,1996 96 FE3 29 All 9: 57 PRESENT: Chairman French, Clerk Sullivan PLANNERS: Bonda, Dolan, Flynn, McShane r 1. Meeting called to order at 7:15 P.M. 111 ='''t"'�l`ETTS Motion: To appoint Planner Dolan Acting Clerk (Bonda - Flynn) All in favor. PASSES 2. Correspondence 1. Minutes December 9, 1996 Motion: To approve as written (Bonda- McShane) Three in favor. Two abstentions. PASSES 2. Minutes January 3, 1996 Motion: To approve as written Planner Flynn asked it be noted she will attend Capital Improvements Committee meetings until permanent representatives are chosen. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked that the slopes on Wayfield, discussed in the last paragraph of the third page, be reversed (Flynn - Dolan) Three in favor. One abstention. PASSES 3. Bond and Form J Release - Treetops - PJ Walsh Motion: To accept the bond and sign the Form J as recommended by Town Counsel (Dolan - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES 4. Chandler's Estates Plans - To be signed Motion: To sign the plans (Dolan - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES 3. Public Hearing Continued - Wayfield The clerk read new correspondence, including a punch list from Mr. Burke. David Grant, Tilton Associates, representing Kevin Delaney, addressed these items. He said he had met with Town Engineer Lee Azinheira, who agreed to the design elevation for the water table. Mr. Grant explained the road had been raised three feet and the detention basin made curvelinear. Roof and driveway water will go into galleys, not the drainage system, and a guard rail was added. He told the board trees over 18 inches would have tree wells installed around them. Wetland /upland calculations had been added. Mr. Grant said they would no longer need the waiver for cover over groundwater and did not think they would need a waiver for the retention area. The Conservation Commission has agreed to the removal of debris from the wetland. Due to the revisions to the plans, Mr. Grant requested a continuance until January 31, 1996 with an extension of the Planning Board's deadline until February 9, 1996 in order to give the Town Engineer time to review the new drainage calculations. Board Comment The board members agreed to the continuance. Acting Chairman Sullivan asked about the status of the abutters. Mr. Delaney said he was working with them to move the nearest house further away from their property, and on a grading easement. He said he hopes to have that worked out by the next meeting. Motion: To continue the public hearing until January 31, 1996 at 8:00 P.M. with an extension in the Planning Board's final action date until February 9, 1996. (Dolan - Sullivan) All in favor. PASSES 4. Around The Table Mr. Burke reminded the board the Capital Improvements Committee was meeting the next night, and appointees were needed. Planner Bonda said she was willing to attend, and suggested they wait until Chairman French arrived to decide the other appointee. Planner Bonda asked about the status of Eastleigh Estates. Mr. Burke said Attorney Mangiaratti has not spoken with the insurance company lately, but expects a counter offer. Mr. Burke told the board Attorney Mangiaratti would be coming to a meeting to discuss the Park Row parking situation, and a provision in the Zoning By- Law allowing the Planning Board to set adequate parking requirements for uses not included in the Zoning By -Law, and will bring a traffic study. Planner McShane suggested sending Attorney Mangiaratti the minutes of the Planning Board's discussions of the parking issue. 5. Public Hearing Continued • Maple Hill Modification Planner Bonda abstained from the discussion. Mike Trowbridge, Hutchins - Trowbridge Associates, told the board this had originally been submitted as a traditional subdivision, but after speaking with Mr. Burke was changed to a residential compound with five lots, a 20 foot wide driveway, and an open space buffer all the way around the site. He explained 2 -2 1/2 feet of fill in the roadway will be eliminated. The compound was designed at the current density. Chairman French arrived at this point, 8:10 P.M. Mr. Trowbridge explained he would request to continue the traditional subdivision plan and submit the residential compound in the meantime. Mr. Burke said one of the concerns about the original plan was the wetland crossing with a 110 -Foot long retaining wall. The compound reduced the roadway layout from 50 to 20 feet, made the road a private way, reduced density, and eliminated the retaining wall. The lots will be more regularly shaped with increased upland area. Mr. Trowbridge said he thought the Conservation Commission would prefer the compound plan because it will use natural drainage and has filed a Notice of Intent. Planner Dolan said he liked the Residential Compound idea. Public Comment Andrea Bonda, 578 Maple Street, said the intersection of Maple Street and Jennifer Drive overflows during rainstorms, and the wetlands along Maple Street are always wet, causing ponding in Maple Street. Mr. Trowbridge said with the new plan, water would go into the wetlands and drain away from Maple Street, and any water coming across Maple Street toward the intersection would be diverted into a swale or similar structure. Stephen Cox, 565 Maple Street, said water ponds on one side of the intersection, and agreed that the wetlands are always wet. Board Comment Planner McShane asked what problems there would be with water flowing through the wetlands. Mr. Trowbridge said they would not be increasing the flow off site during the 100 -year storm, and his calculations were based on total post - development runoff. Whether the existing wetlands can handle the existing flow were not considered, though he did check to be sure the existing pipes in the road can accommodate the flow from the drainage area to the wetland. The board discussed an Environmental Impact Study done during the mid -80s addressing the water and drainage issues in the area. Motion: To encourage the developer to pursue the residential compound concept. (French- McShane) All in favor. PASSES Motion: To continue the public hearing until January 31, 1996 at 7:25 P.M. If necessary, at that time, Mr. Trowbridge will give the board an extension on the final deadline for decision. (Dolan- Flynn) All in favor. PASSES 6. Site Plan Review - Cleveland Twist Site Parking . Craig Miller, Project Manager, STV, representing Acme Cleveland, presented ( the plan for redoing the existing parking lot. Mr. Miller told the board he had addressed the staff comments received at the site plan meeting. { t s t 3Y�i -sa Internal Traffic= Traffic will be twp way, with dueCttonal arms painted on the pavement and 120 standard and 53 subcompact parking space$ Handicapped Parking Handicapped parking spaces are not shown on the IN plan, but there are existing handicapped parking spaces close{ }o the pXatform, ' S , on the MBTA side of the tracks, which the applicant will restripb and designate as handicapped parking inrorder to meet the requirement r: Lighting and Drainage Both are shown on the plan Existing lihta are op the building, with one next to the power plant, whichvill light'the'gt and f z direct the light away from reside'n'ces There is an @xtsting ctCJl'basui tli xtQ lr the building, and no ' additional dra nge£will be "aiided. t i s y; 'F ' `; "% Number of Spaces on Plan vs Number' of Spaces on Open Air ]'grkin l?eftnitr ` -Mr. Miller explained the open air.paikirig'permitliad been sib`illittedlefpre these plans changed, and said the numbers now match, with 1Z spaces,. Attendant Structure - There will be no structure and no attendant, but a fare box, like the MBTA does t Traffic Management Plan There is a note on the plan mdicatirg the traffip :X} fi ti i management plan, and signage will�b @added to 7Lrvet`Stree, {aithotrhfz`r ti;G 4 {y n > 'IN Miller said they do not have the`power to enforce traffic on puttee y said this design would encourage; traffic to go out onto Allen Ave?lu eil out r He said River Street could be r blocked offteither �p{Atg peak hours or permanently, depending pn how, the town wants p ltand(e It Fire Hydrant Shown on the plan', rth`the proper clearance and three spices it blocked out around it. a Resurface Disturbed Area Will be done with 21/2 inch pavement, Topographical Survey -; If the boaid requires one, the apphcan tiVfh every effort to do one as soon as`weather permits. 7 Public Comment Donna Harrington, 136 Highland Avenue, asked about a traffic Study, _r Burke suggested the applicant get together with the Poh etSartmept,'> ` Department of Public Works and the Town Engineer to work out a traffii management plan, like the one done for the Great Woods Center for the Performing Arts, before'going before the Board of Selectmen for the openair parking permit. yt ,� Board Comment Planner Flynn asked if the site contained any green space. Mr. Burke told her it does not require any according to the Zoning By -Law, as there is no structure being built and no change of use. Planner McShane asked how many spaces there would be without subcompact parking. Mr. Miller said there would be about 85 fewer spaces. Planner McShane suggested there may be problems with large cars trying to fit into the subcompact spaces. Mr. Miller responded that the MBTA's spaces are about the same size as the subcompact spaces STV uses, and most cars are able to fit into those. Planner McShane asked if the applicant planned to come back with plans for the other lots; Mr. Miller said he did not know. Planner McShane was concerned that "Phase I" on the plan implied there would be future phases. Mr. Miller said he would remove "Phase I ". Planner Dolan asked who would pay if an extra police detail became necessary. Mr. Miller said he did not know. Planner Dolan asked how many spaces there would be if the other lots were permitted. Mr. Miller said he did not know. Planner McShane asked what the penalty would be for not paying for parking. Mr. Miller said they may use the same parking service the MBTA uses. Planner McShane asked if. they had looked at the traffic impact on the intersection of River and Allen Streets at the end of the day. Mr.Miller said they did not do a traffic study on that intersection, but thinks the traffic will work itself out. Planner McShane asked how soon the applicant hoped to have the lot in operation. Mr. Miller said they would do the topographical survey in April, or sooner depending on the snow melt, as his client wanted to get it done as soon as possible. Planner McShane asked if the applicant had discussed with the town dedicating the lot to residents only; Mr. Miller said there had been no such discussion. Clerk Sullivan asked if the lot would have the same amount of impervious surface post - development. Mr. Miller said it would. Clerk Sullivan suggested the applicant make sure the existing catch basin works properly, and suggested submitting a Response Action Outcome Statement stating there are no environmental problems with the site to the Building Inspector. Clerk Sullivan asked about a pedestrian walkway within the site. Mr. Miller explained there would be a walk with five feet of curb on either side; Clerk Sullivan suggested adding the distance between the back of curb to the back of curb to the plan. Mr. Miller agreed. Clerk Sullivan asked about the condition of the fence. Mr. Miller said most of i the fence is in good condition, but some may need to be repaired, which will be done. Mr. Miller said he would add painted crosswalks to the plan, and there are no gates across the entrance to the lot. Clerk Sullivan said he would like to see some green on the site. Mr. Miller said they would not be changing the use of the existing parking lot, and will not be required to landscape. Mr. Burke suggested if the board had issues it wanted addressed which are beyond the Building Inspector's authority, it send comment to the Board of Selectmen to be addressed during the open air parking permit hearing. Planner Flynn asked if the Building Inspector had received comment from the Police Chief. Mr. Burke told her there had been no Police Department representative at the site plan meeting, and no memorandum from them. Planner Flynn said she would like to have some response from the Police Chief, and Clerk Sullivan suggested the Building Inspector ask for a response. Planner Flynn said the parking could be considered a change of use from an accessory use to a commercial parking lot. Chairman French suggested asking the Building Inspector to thoroughly review whether the landscaping regulations would apply based on the possible change of use. Planner McShane said he would rather have the applicant donate money to improve the town's lot rather than doing landscaping. Planner Flynn said she did not think the two could be tied together, and asked where the fee box would be. Mr. Miller said it would be in a convenient location, perhaps next to the MBTA's fee box. Chairman French suggested the applicant check the catch basins, and when doing a topographical survey, check for low spots which may cause puddles. Mr. Miller said he would make sure the site has positive drainage. Motion: To send the Building Inspector a positive recommendation with the following conditions. (1)A property line survey and topographical survey be done prior to construction beginning so repaving of the disturbed area can be accomplished to provide positive drainage to the catch basin. (2)The catch basin will be confirmed to be operational or will be made operational. (3)An agreement will be obtained for a traffic management plan to be utilized with and approved by the Police Department, Department of Public Works, and the Town Engineer. (4) A Response Action Outcome Statement will be submitted to the Building Inspector showing there is no environmental risk on the site. (5) A dedicated crosswalk will be noted as being painted on the plan. (6) The pedestrian travel aisle will have 5 feet clear on either side and will be shown as such on the plan. (7) "Phase I" will be removed from all parts of the plan. (8) The fee box location will be shown on the plan. (9) If the existing fence is in disrepair, the affected sections will be repaired. (10) If handicapped spaces are not provided near the platform on the i' MBTA's property or are ever removed, the five required \ handicapped spaces will be provided within the locus of this project. (11)A letter from the Police Chief asking him to pay particular attention to the addition of 173 cars at the intersection of Allen and River Streets and Highland Avenue and Route 106. (12) Suggest the Building Inspector review the applicability of the landscaping requirements with respect to a possible change of use from the existing business parking lot to a commercial parking operation. (13) To send a copy of the recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. Planner McShane agreed there are traffic problems to be dealt with, but said they were not created by this project and will not be solved by it. He said the biggest problems would be at the intersection, but wanted the Board of Selectmen to know the Planning Board is not opposed to the project. Planner Dolan said the board was just trying to be thorough in its recommendation. Mr. Burke suggested sending the Board of Selectmen a separate letter. Planner McShane was concerned the Board of Selectmen get two messages; that the Planning Board supports the project and urges the selectmen to do what it can to convince the applicant to make the lot resident parking. All in favor. PASSES Motion: To send the Board of Selectmen a letter encouraging it to approve the open air parking permit. Let them know the Planning Board has sent the Building Inspector a positive recommendation with technical issues as conditions. The board encourages approval because of the dire need for parking, consistent with the Planning Board's policy to keep the train station downtown, as articulated in its letter of December 4, 1994, and encourages the Board of Selectmen to join in discussions with Acme Cleveland to make the new lot resident parking. (McShane - Flynn) Planner McShane said this action had two purposes, fulfilling the board's legal responsibility to make a recommendation to the Building Inspector and making a policy recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. All in favor. PASSES 2. Correspondence Continued Planners Bonda and Flynn volunteered to be the Planning Board's representatives to the Capital Improvements Committee. Mr. Burke told the board he had received a telephone call from Planner Trombetta, who will be resigning from the board. Planner McShane asked if there was anything in the Planning Board's budget for the Master Plan update. Mr. Burke said there was not, since the warrant closes February 1, 1996, and the RFP closes February 21, 1996, and there would likely be a Special within the Annual Town Meeting, it would probably be premature to go to Town Meeting asking for money before anything had been done. He suggested waiting until around March to have a better idea of what would be needed and then talking about getting on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. 7. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 10:30 P.M. (Dolan - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Date of next meeting: Wednesday, January 17, 1996 at 7:00 P.M. c�f'lvc,T/ r Si n ture of Clerk Date of pprova