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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin of planning brd 11182009 Planning Board Minutes November 18,2009 Present: Tom French, Chair; Beth Ashman-Collins, Clerk, Doug Annino, Don;ClearY;!ED Olivier Kozlowski' r:-T ICE Shawn MacDonald and Timothy Verrochi, Alternates Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development - LJ /\ r I: 3 Lj 11. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. -1,1 2. Discussion with the Board of Selectmen re: Master Plan Implementation Strategies This discussion took place during the Board of Selectmen's meeting, Room 3 aIb. I 3. Correspondence 1. October 28, 2009 minutes Motion: To approve as submitted (Annino-Cleary) Six in favor. One abstention. PASSES 2. ZBA decision - 615 School Street monopole tower - Granted 3. Meeting notices - Attleboro, North Attleboro \4. Form A (ANR) Plans 5. Special Permit Public Hearing continued - 151 Rumford Avenue - 4 Townhouse Units [Mr. Annino excused himself] The clerk read a request to continue the public hearing to December 2,2009. Motion: To continue the public hearing to December 2,2009 at 8:00 p.m. (Cleary-MacDonald) Six in favor. PASSES [Mr. Annino returned at this time] 17. Public Comment IS.Ar()undthe Table Mr. MacDonald said there is a significant cost associated with projects getting LEED certified, but said there is a program called Green Communities, which has a similar process to LEED, but without the same cost. He said he would get the board some information. Mr. Cleary asked about Mr. Crugnale's request to discuss the water, sewer and electric fees with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burke said he doesn't think Mr. Crugnale has submitted a request to the Board of Selectmen. He suggested if the Planning Board wants to comment on those connection fees, it be in a general way, perhaps with a focus on downtown redevelopment, rather than discussing one specific development proposal. Planning Board 11/19/2009 "-_..~,-"""'-,--'-----"~~~","~~- ... _~___"~_~,>",,,,"'___'N Mr. French asked it is possible to find out what work the town actually does for these connections and suggested sending the Water, Sewer and Electric Departments a letter telling them the board is trying to work with developers on downtown projects and ask about ways to waive or reduce fees in this area to help stimulate redevelopment. The board discussed asking for a breakdown of the methodology used to arrive at the fees, and said if a development uses water saving devices, perhaps it should be eligible for a break on the fees. Mr. Burke suggested sending a letter to the Water, Sewer and Light Commissioners them about this issue, rather than to each department. Mr. French said this would be a good follow-up to the discussion the board just had with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burke said it would have to be unique to the downtown overlay district, which already has all the necessary infrastructure. Ms. Collins said this type of development is good in a downtown area because it is a higher density area. Mr. Cleary asked if the board could ask for fees on a couple of different scenarios, like a 5-unit, 10- unit and a 20-unit building. Mr. Annino asked if developers of multi-unit buildings could install one meter, rather than one for each unit. Mr. Burke said he would check on whether that is allowed. Mr. Cleary said a TIF application has come in from Smurfitt-Stone and he will let the board know the details as it progresses. The board discussed the proposal for a "blanket TIF" on a vacant site on West Street. Mr. Annino asked about progress on the School Street site owned by Pinnacle. Mr. Burke said he hasn't spoken to anyone about that site, and the special permit has expired. Mr. Kozlwski said the footbridge off Judy's Lane in the Great Woods conservation land has been condemned and blocked off, closing offthe town-owned land. The bridge was made of telephone poles with decking on top; one ofthe poles has given way and the bridge is slanted. He said he had hoped to get some donations and volunteers to rebuild it in a similar fashion, but because of new building and conservation regulations, that doesn't seem possible. The estimates to rebuild it have ranged from $60,000 to $300,000. He said there should be a way to do rebuild the bridge more simply and inexpensively, and said he was sure organizations like the NRT and the Boy Scouts would be willing to volunteer their time and solicit material donations. Mr. French said there may be a liability issue for the town; Mr. Burke said the exposure is the same as on a public way. Mr. Burke suggested taking the issue to the Board of Selectmen, who may put the call out for volunteers. He said it will require a structural engineer, will have to conform to the building code and it is in a wetland area. Mr. Burke suggested putting together some density examples for the downtown overlay district. Mr. Kozlowksi said the Board of Selectmen seemed to have a concern about density bonuses resulting in parking problems. Mr. Burke said he doesn't think that will happen; the board's studies have shown there is plenty of public parking downtown, but people don't know where it is. He said part of the grant application that was just submitted to DHCD was for signage to help identify parking areas. Mr. Annino said we may also be able to get some money from the tumbacks to the favade improvement program for the way finding program. Mr. Annino said the board should make a "wish Planning Board 2 11/19/2009 list" of things it would like to do to improve public areas, like signage, trash barrels, etc. Mr. French said many of those issues are relatively simple and inexpensive. Mr. Cleary said a downtown business person told him parking spaces were lost when they were striped. Mr. Burke said when spaces aren't striped, people park farther apart, so he thinks downtown probably gained parking spaces with the striping. I 9. Adjournment Motion: To adjourn at 8:45 p.m. (Cleary- ) All in favor. PASSES Next meeting: Wednesday, December 2,2009 at 7:30 p.m. Ztr/t JsL aJ(- /2 - 2 - 0 C( , ~ Signature of Clerk Date of Approval Planning Board 3 11/19/2009