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HomeMy WebLinkAboutplanningbrdmin01202010 Planning Board Minutes January 20, 2010;:-;: ICE Present: Tom French, Chair; Beth Ashman-Collins, Clerk; Doug Annino, Tony Jodice, Don Cleary, Olivier Kozlowski '1 /\ 11: ? 3 Shawn MacDonald and Timothy Verrochi, Alternates Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development 1. Meeting called to order at 7:30 p.m. I 2. Correspondence 1. January 6, 2010 minutes Motion: To approve as submitted (Annino-Cleary) All in favor. PASSES 2. Public Hearing notices - Att1eboro, Easton 13. Around.the Table Mr. MacDonald said the traffic light at Mansfield Crossing seems to have been working well the last few weeks. Mr. Burke said DPW had been on site with Mass Highway and Bell Signal during the holidays to work on the timing. 4. Discussion with Jeff Heidelberg, WS Development, re: Reconfiguration of Linens & Things Space, Mansfield Crossing Mr. Heidelberg introduced Dave Saurette, vice president of construction. Mr. Heidelberg explained the proposed reconfiguration of the vacant Linens & Things space at Mansfield Crossing and showed the board elevations. He said the space has been empty for some time, and they have had interest from smaller-scale (5-10,000 square foot) stores. He said they are confident they have a 7,000 square foot tenant interested in the end space. The "two store" plans show the storefront being broken into either two tenants, with the majority of the storefront remaining the same and a smaller tenant at one end, with new signage. The "three store" plans breaks the storefront into three small parts with new signage and added curb cuts for access to each store. In the three-store plan, there would be spaces of approximately 7,500, 7,500 and 9,000 square feet. Mr. Heidelberg said Building I cannot be larger than described in the special permit, but this plan does not change the footprint of the building, simply the interior space. Mr. Annino asked if any trees would be removed. Mr. Heidelberg said they would not. Mr. Annino asked about lighting. Mr. Heidelberg explained the parking lot lighting will remain the same, with the store exit lighting similar to the rest of the site. Mr. Annino suggested adding some lighting to the awnings. Mr. Saurette said the windows at the front of the store are already lit; Mr. Annino suggested not lighting those windows, but rather lighting the front of the stores with exterior lights. Mr. MacDonald asked if other buildings in the site have those window lights; Mr. Burke said they do not. Planning Board 1/21/2010 ...- ./R"~," Mr. Burke said he likes the three-store plan because it breaks up the space more effectively. Mr. Cleary noted there are large stores on either side of this space. Mr. Annino said either plan the two or three store would work, but he would prefer the exterior be more broken up. Mr. Saurette said they would like to go forward with the tenant they are sure about, and work out the rest of the space as they can. Mr. Cleary asked if this would impact parking; Mr. Burke said this part of the site is overparked. Mr. Heidelberg said the parking lot is currently handicapped compliant, and they would be adding accessible curb ramps at the front of each store. Mr. Saurette said the signage will be lit, and tenants usually decide whether they want their signs internally or halo lit. Motion: To approve the two fayade options for the Linens & Things space (Annino-Jodice) All in favor. PASSES I 5. Form A (ANR) Plans 6. Special Permit Public Hearing continued - 905 South Main Street - Commercial Parking Lot The clerk read a request from the applicant's attorney to continue the public hearing to March 24, 2010 Motion: To continue the pubic hearing to March 24, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. (Annino-Cleary) All in favor. PASSES I 7. Public Comment William Clemmey asked to be put on the agenda to discuss possible development of the train station area. He said he would get the board some ideas for discussion. I Around the Table continued Mr. Annino asked about the discussion with the Board of Selectmen regarding utility fees. Mr. Burke said the DPW Director is meeting with the Selectmen tonight about that issue and is working on a consistent fee for all types of development. Mr. Burke said he has scheduled a workshop with the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen on February 24 regarding the fee issue. Mr. French said the board should have that information, including the numbers and how they are generated, prior to that workshop. Ms. Collins mentioned that there is technical assistance available to towns through the Green Communities program through the Department of Energy. Mr. MacDonald said his company is working on a project in Cambridge through that program; he said it mimics the LEED program, but is a little less stringent. Ms. Collins said this could be a way to get a similar result if the town doesn't opt into the Renewable Energy Trust. Planning Board 2 1/21/2010 ,. Mr. Burke said he has spoken with Mr. Babin about the Light Commissioner's vote not to opt into the Renewable Energy Trust. [Mr. Kozlowski arrived at this time] That decision included factors including the $115,000 annual fee, the lack of an option to get out of the program and the lack of an appeal process on fee increases. Mr. Babin told Mr. Burke there are only a five municipal electric department have opted in, and a few already want to get out. Mr. Burke said Mr. Babin offered to talk with the board about the program. Mr. Jodice asked if the town could buy into the program without affecting the rate payer, perhaps using some of the Light Department's enterprise accounts. Mr. Burke said that would be a question to ask Mr. Babin. Ms. Collins asked if the rate for opting into the incentive program is a standard, or ifit is set by town. Mr. Burke said it is a standard rate. Mr. Annino said it will be hard for a community to work toward sustainability if policy makers aren't willing to make a relatively small investment for the future. He said this could also help attract businesses that are concerned about green development to town. Mr. Jodice said CIP has begun meeting. He said he thinks there should be a number in the budget each year for capital planning, rather than using debt exclusions, borrowing or Proposition 2 Yz overrides to fund the plan every year. Mr. Burke said the goal has always been to put $1 million in the budget for capital, which has not happened. Mr. Jodice said he plans to push that idea at future meetings. Mr. Burke explained CIP makes funding recommendations, but the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting make the actual decisions. He said over the years, the town's philosophy on funding sources for the capital budget has shifted. Mr. Burke said traditional capital planning is to put aside about 10% of the town's budget, which he said would be around $6 million. Mr. French suggested inviting the new Town Manager to visit the board. 1.8. Adjouflunent Motion: To adjourn at 8:45 p.m. (Jodice- ) All in favor. PASSES Next meeting: Wednesday, February 3,2010 at 7:30 p.m. 2'3-- ze \0 Date of Approval Planning Board 3 1/21/2010 ,.