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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Brd Min_9181996PLANNING BOARD MINUTES, September 18, 1996 PRESENT: Chairman French, Clerk Sullivan _j 0c i n. PLANNERS: Bonda, Dolan, McShane 1. Meeting called to order at 7:35 P.M. 2. Correspondence 1. Minutes of September 4, 1996 Planner McShane questioned the comment made by Karl Clemmey on page 3 regarding 1200 lots being submitted in 1989. He expressed concern that the number stated is not necessarily a fact. Motion: To approve minutes, adding a footnote to page 3 indicating that the number of 1200 was questionable. (Dolan - Sullivan) 3 -0 -2, with French and Bonda abstaining. PASSES 2. Minutes of September 9, 1996 Motion: To approve the minutes as written. (Dolan - Sullivan) 3 -0 -2, with French and Bonda abstaining. PASSES 3. Form J - Mac Homes, Canterbury Estates Motion: To sign Form J. (Sullivan - Bonda) 4 -0 -1, McShane abstaining. PASSES 4. Homefield Farms Definitive Plan Legal opinion received from Mark Bobrowski was reviewed on a similar situation where a covenant had not been received and plans not signed. Chairman French commented that by signing the plans, the board forces the developer to complete the work in two years. Motion: To sign plans with a disclaimer regarding the tolling freeze. (Sullivan - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES 5. Memo from Town Manager regarding Wastewater Workshop. Chairman French suggested that, in view of the workload ahead of the board this evening, perhaps one member could volunteer to leave the meeting to attend the workshop and report back to the board. Planner Sullivan agreed to attend, which was agreeable to the remaining board members. 6. Copy of letter from Bertram M. Cook, Building Inspector, to Donald A. Nicoletti, Superintendent of Schools 7. Public Hearing Notice - North Attleboro Planning Board 8. Notice of Decision - Foxboro ZBA 9. Public Hearing Notices - Easton ZBA Correspondence (Continued) 10. The Beacon newsletter 11, New England Planning newsletter 12. Network newsletter of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership Fund 13. New England Economic Indicators, August 1996 14. Massachusetts Federation of Planning and Appeals Boards conference notice 15. Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Appeals -1996 Fall Training Schedule 16. LLRW Up -Front Newsletter of the Mass. Low -Level Radioactive Waste Management Board 17. Historic Massachusetts Conference Announcement 18. Bay State Roads Program Seminar Announcement 19. Planning magazine 20. ZBA Applications 11 Green Acres Drive - Paul Jodice - variance to allow for a garage and mudroom addition with less than the required sideyard setback in R -1 Zone. Mr. Burke suggested the board send a negative recommendation because there was no hardship on the land, the applicant could reduce the size of the addition, and additional land could be sought. Motion: To send negative recommendation for the above reasons. (Sullivan - Bonda) Sullivan and Bonda in favor; Dolan, French and McShane opposed. FAILS 2 -3 Planner McShane said the abutting lot appears on the plan as non- buildable and nobody would be harmed by the variance. Clerk Sullivan noted that while a portion of the lot was unbuildable, he was not sure if it all was. Planner Bonda said that she is 95 percent sure that it is all on- buildable. Motion: To send a positive recommendation to the ZBA. (Dolan- McShane) Dolan, French and McShane in favor, Sullivan and Benda opposed PASSES 3 -2 Oakland Street - Twin Oaks Associates - variance for a sign larger than allowed in the R -2 Zone. Mr. Burke's recommendation was that the board send a negative recommendation. Motion: To send the ZBA a negative recommendation because the size of the proposed sign is not given. (Dolan- Sullivan) All in favor. PASSES 21. Letter from Karl Clemmey requesting clarification as to interpretation of Section 3.6.2 of the zoning by -law for self - storage facility in B -3 zone. 22. Memo re: partial release of bonds - Massapoag Estates Planner McShane felt the request should be held for an update and that the developer should come before the board to let them know what has been done. He also questioned why the board sponsored a Town Meeting article l for default and would then release funds from the bond. Planner Dolan stated that if they've done the work, we can't keep their money. Chairman French Correspondence (Continued) suggested that the request be approved based on the recommendation of the subdivision inspector and stated that if the board does not release funds, that would hold the developer up even more. Clerk Sullivan noted that the Town Meeting vote was just precautionary and that the developer has not been found in default. Motion: To release funds in the amounts as follows: Amount Released Balance Bond A - Patty's Rd. $26,242.92 $28,479.10 Bond B - Elyse Rd. 15,550.98 Jean Rd. 6,806.75 47,310.82 Bond D - Patty's & Elyse 38,932.20 80,375.68 (Sullivan - Dolan) Dolan, French and Sullivan in favor, Bonda and McShane opposed. PASSES 3 -2 23. Public Hearing Notice - Attleboro ZBA 24. ZBA Decisions: 20 Old Elm Street - Matthew LaVallee - variance for a garage addition with less than the required sideyard setback in R -1 Zone. Granted - (Planning Board recommendation: negative, 3 -2) 945 East Street - Mansfield Oil Company - variance for already constructed structure with less than required sideyard setback and to amend previously granted variance to modify the required landscaping and buffering conditions. Granted (Planning Board recommendation: positive, 4 -0) 5 Coach Road - Donald and Joanne Brais - variance for a garage and mudroom addition with less than required sideyard setback in R -1 Zone Granted - (Planning Board recommendation: positive, 4 -0 -0) 25. Letter from Department of Public Utilities re: Nextel Communications 26. Copy of letter from Paul Folkman to Board of Selectmen re: Article 23 of Special Town Meeting 3. Toyota Site Plan Review The review began at 8:15 p.m. Present were: John Rhodes of Norwood Engineer- ing; Dan Schwartz of Toyota; and George Peck, Facilities Construction Manager for Toyota. Mr. Rhodes presented the map of the site, showing a property of 24.55 acres, with the boundaries set out. Three inter - connected buildings on the site were shown, as was the central parking area. The proposal calls for an expansion of the parking area with a total of 35 new spaces added. They currently have 159 spaces and want to increase the number to 194. Zoning requires 152. A second map was displayed which showed the proposed modifications to the existing three parking areas, adding 3 spaces at one location, 11 to a second location, and 21 spaces at a third location. The second lot shown would also include the relocation of a pressure indicator valve at the approval of the Fire Department. The second area on the easterly side is currently used for vehicle storage. The larger parking lot, where 21 spaces are being added, will include both compact and full spaces and a new entrance. It will be restriped to bring it into proper alignment and will be graded to allow stormwater runoff to be tied into the existing storm drains. Mr. Rhodes also explained that there would be 21 feet of galleys at two locations to balance the rates of discharge and that the Town Engineer, Lee Azinheira, is in agreement with the proposal. Mr. Rhodes next showed the landscaping plan, pointing out trees already in place, trees that would be removed, and showing 56 shrubs to be put in five clusters to meet the intent of the buffer requirements. The site plan checklist and comments from Department Heads were reviewed and everything was found to be in order. Planner McShane asked why Toyota is asking for additional spaces and Mr. Rhodes responded that the demand is due mainly to seminars, demo vehicles and the exchange of employee lease cars. Cars are also brought in for regional auto shows, but they are in and out in 4 -6 weeks. Mr. Schwartz of Toyota explained that there are 5 bays inside for service training vehicles and that when the Parts Distribution Center went to a single shift, the need for additional parking was created. Planner McShane also asked whether there were sufficient handicap parking spaces and was advised that they have a total of 6 spaces spread throughout the 3 lots. He also asked if a road salt policy had been established. Mr. Schwartz explained that they contract an outside company for plowing. Chairman French asked whether test pits for groundwater had been done in the recharge areas. Mr. Rhodes explained that they had met with Mr. Burke and Mr. Azinheira and could not identify the increase due to the watertable and type C soil, but that reasonable attempts will be made to maintain a balance. Board members expressed their thanks to Mr. Rhodes and the Toyota representatives for an excellent presentation and ended discussion at 8:45 p.m. Motion: To send a positive recommendation to the Building Inspector. (Sullivan - Dolan) Amendment: To add that the applicant attempt to minimize the use of road salt during the winter months, and to send a positive recommendation to the Building Inspector with no conditions. (Sullivan - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 4. Form A (ANR) Plans 1. Liberty Street - Christopher Marcheselli Questions were raised and addressed regarding paving and frontage on the street. Motion: To endorse the plan. (Sullivan - Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 2. Fruit Street - Kenneth Williamson Questions were raised regarding the creation of a large unbuildable lot with wetlands. Board members questioned the wisdom of allowing this situation to be created. Motion: To hold for discussion at the next meeting. (Bonda- McShane) All in favor. PASSES 3. Ware Street - Stephen Benoit Clerk Sullivan noted that the plan does not show the dimensions around the entire property. Planner McShane questioned whether there should be the statutory setback from the river. Motion: To return the plan to the applicant to define the entire property, especially the back section. (Sullivan - Bonda) All in favor. PASSES Clerk Sullivan left the meeting at 9:20 p.m. to attend the Wastewater Workshop held by the Selectmen. Motion: To appoint Planner Bonda as Acting Clerk. (Dolan- McShane) All in favor. PASSES 5. George Fram Estate Plan A letter was received from Mr. Folkman regarding the land to be deeded to the town. Planner McShane stated that a copy of the draft deed had been requested and was a condition of approval. Planner Dolan noted that the land had to be deeded to the Town and not the Conservation Commission. Chairman French noted that the board is just being asked to endorse the plan and put it under covenant. Planner McShane remarked that there is nothing on the plan that requires them to give the town the 52 acres. Planner Dolan questioned the use of Cape Cod berms as opposed to mono- lithic berms which the board had approved. Planners McShane and Dolan also noted that a sidewalk waiver had not been granted. Motion: To table action on the plan until the October 2, 1996 meeting to allow questions to be addressed. (McShane- Dolan) All in favor. PASSES 6. Public Comment Edwin Harsch of Fisher Lane stated that he was attending the meeting with his wife Betty in conjunction with a course they are taking. He commended the board for the time and effort they spend and requested a copy of the minutes of the meeting when approved to assist him in writing a report for class. 7. Around the Table Planner McShane provided copies of the "Atlantic Monthly" article he spoke about at the last Master Plan Committee meeting. Acting Clerk Bonda stated that she is still concerned about the parking at the daycare center at the corner of Route 140 and School Street. She is also wondering about Weaver Lane. It was agreed to wait until the next meeting to discuss these matters with Mr. Burke. Planner McShane commented that he recalled that during the Old Colony Motors site plan discussion, the board talked about requiring vegetative buffers and they they were going to put in movable ones instead for plow- ing purposes. To date they are not there. Planners Bonda and Dolan concurred, but stated that Old Colony is not done yet. Chairman French noted that they were granted a use variance and then came in for site plan review. Planner McShane requested a copy of the approval of the Old Colony site plan. Planner Dolan discussed the fact that Jay Barrows had mentioned at the Master Plan meeting that the Downtown Business Association feels the piece of land next to the fire station should be made into a parking lot. He also mentioned that Paul Folkman had brought up the subject of the town dropping the ball on underground telephone and cable wires for downtown and that the same thing shouldn't be allowed to happen on the train station issue. Mr. Barrows had also stated that downtown needs to be more pedestrian friendly. Chairman French reported on the discussion at the Master Plan meeting regarding the "golden triangle" and the Route 140 corridor. The relation- ship between the IDC and Downtown Business Association was discussed, as was Mr. Folkman's concern that the town have zoning in place to deal with the inevitable development to ensure it comes out the way we want it to. Chairman French stated that he believes the board should pick out three or four issues that they feel are the most important and that they focus on them for presentation at Town Meeting. He suggested towers, screen- ing and landscaping of parking lots and perhaps a couple of other issues to be determined. Planner Dolan suggested the board look at uses around the train station. Planner McShane suggested the Route 140 corridor from Route 95 to Great Woods where the development explosion will occur. Planner Dolan suggested that the board also look at Route 106 toward the center of town. Chairman French reported that he is taking a class and that he will be missing the first hour of the meeting for the next four to five meetings. 5. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 10:15 p.m. (Dolan - McShane) All in favor. PASSES Date of next meeting: October 2, 1996 at 7:30 p.m. Z�21 1%I�s Ao a Signature of Clerk Datle of Approval