HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 06/21/2017Planning Board Minutes
June 21, 2017 1 1 1 ,` I C
Present: Tom French, Chair; Don Cleary, Clerk; Michael Feck, Rich LeBlanc
Alternate Sharon Friedman 20,11 ':i;G 21 A 8: 2 c
Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development, Jennifer Davis, Administrative _
Secretary
i'
1. Minutes May 24, 2017
Ms. Friedman noted a typo on page 2 — pervious surface parking spaces
Ms. Friedman noted a missing word on page 5 — Ms. Peach... doesn't think this use would the
best for her.
Motion: To approve as amended (Friedman-Feck) All in favor. PASSES
2. June 16, 2017 memo from Mr. Burke re: proposed fee amendments
Mr. Burke explained the Planning Board can change its own fees after a public hearing, but
the Board of Selectmen sets the fees for zoning, special permit fees and variances. Mr.
Burke said Mr. Stanbrook and the Finance Committee have asked all departments to review
their fees and make a recommendation on changes. Mr. Burke explained that while the
proposed 30% increase may seem large, the Planning Board's fees have not changed since
2002. Consensus was to schedule a public hearing.
3. 900 South Main Street (IBEW) special permit plans to be signed
Motion: To sign the plans "(Feck-LeBlanc) All in favor. PASSES
Public Hearing notices — Attleboro, Easton, North Attleboro, Plainville
4. The Beacon
5. Memo from Robert Blackman, Inspector of Buildings/Zoning Enforcement Officer re: three
temporary parking lots during MBIA construction
The clerk read the public hearing notice. Mr. French explained how the public hearing would be
conducted and explained the board met on this property May 24, 2017, but it was discovered the
next day the abutters had not been notified of the public hearing. The public hearing has been
readvertised and the abutters have been notified of tonight's public hearing. Mr. French pointed
out there are five members present tonight and said the members who have missed one meeting
will be able to participate in the next meeting if they feel comfortable doing so.
Marco Crugnale, applicant; Robert Rego, Riverhawk Environmental; Pastor Dave Aruda,
Methodist Church
Mr. Crugnale explained the plan is to keep the existing building exterior and renovate the interior
for five townhouse units. The site will have 10 parking spaces and an access easement to the
Planning Board 6/21/2017
j
parking area from the abutting property, 1-5 North Main Street, owned by Dr. Tim Lynch, Lynch
Realty, LLC. Mr. Crugnale said the old stairwells will be removed, new walkways and new
decks will be added, with trash storage under the decks.
Mr. Crugnale said the water line will come off East Street through an easement and electric will
be connected from an existing pole on East Street, and will go overhead to the comer of the
building. Mr. Crugnale said the windows, roof and rotted wood will be replaced, the building
ll h - di 'd al and will
will be pair d, landscaped and skylights added. Each Lunt wr aue m yr u access
be 1,800-3,000 square feet. Mr. Crugnale presented floor plans.
Mr. Crugnale said the building has beautiful architecture and he would like to preserve it, and he
thinks it would be a positive addition to downtown.
Mr. Rego explained the plans to bring in water and electric service from East Street using
existing utility poles with overhead wires, which will be put underground on site. He said the
existing sewer connection was made prior to the North Main Street repaving, and they have been
talking to Mr. Alves about connecting here. He said if that does not work out, they will connect
to East Street main through an easement from Dr. Lynch.
Mr. Rego said the first four parking spaces are tight. He presented revised plans showing an
analysis of a stand ardsized car being able to navigate the spaces without multiple turning
movements. Mr. Cleary suggested wheel stops in the shorter spaces; Mr. Crugnale said he would
do that.
Mr. Rego said the existing water line would be abandoned at the property line.
Ms. Friedman said Mr. Alves noted the parking and traffic circulation plan is not acceptable and
she said there is a significant grade from the building to the parking area. Mr. Crugnale said the
grade will be excavated to grade, and the entry doors`will be matched to existing grade. He said
depending on what happens during excavation, they may have to add structural support.
Mr. Rego said the plans show an access easement from the abutting property to the parking area.
He said the easement has been agreed to, but will not be put in place unless a special permit is
approved.
Ms.Friedman said Mr. Alves said because North Main Street has been paved in the last five
years, curb cuts and street cuts will not be allowed. Mr. Rego .said utilities will be accessed from
East Street through an easement over Dr. Lynchs property. He showed the board proposed
modifications to the existing curb cut, which he said he thinks can be adjusted without cutting
the pavement. He said he thinks they will be able to get a waiver for the sidewalk and
handicapped access work. Mr. Rego sad they are proposing granite curb returns. Mr. Crugnale
said they will not touch North Main Street.
Ms. Friedman said the porous asphalt pavers work best on upland soils and asked what kind of
soils this site has, and asked if vacuuming or power washing the pavers would be part of the
maintenance plan. Mr. Rego said water currently drains through the existing grass to an existing
2 Planning Board 6/21/2017
catch basin on the abutting property. He said the soils are sandy and well -drained. Mr. Rego
explained there are two types of permeable pavers being used now, and they are proposing to use
a concrete paver with void space between the j oints, allowing water to move between the j oints,
making them less prone to clogging and more suited for small parking areas.
Mr. Rego submitted a Stormwater Operations and Maintenance plan. He said because the pavers
are porous, they allow snow melt to filter through, helping to avoid icing issues. He said the
pavers they plan to use are made purposely to park on. Mr. Crugnale said he plans to use Uni-
Lock pavers, which will look nice with the church building. Mr. Burke said plowing will have to
be done carefully with that type of paver. Ms. Friedman said the plan shows sloped granite curb;
Mr. French said that would not be allowed in new road construction, but can be used at a
driveway like this.
Correspondence
The clerk read memos from Mr. Burke, Mr. Alves, Mr. Gaffney, Captain Guyette, Ms. Gonyer
and Mr. Cox.
Mr. Crugnale explained the lighting will be on the building. Mr. French asked if there is any
existing lighting; Pastor Aruda said there is not. Mr. French suggested a photometric plan; Mr.
LeBlanc suggested including the easement area on that plan.
Mr. Cleary asked if the building will be sprinklered; Mr. Cragnale said it will be.
Mr. Cleary asked about the 217' width of the entrance to the parking lot; Mr. French said the
board could decide whether or not to allow that.
The clerk read June 14, 2017 letters from Mr. Rego in response to Mr. Alves's and Mr. Burke's
comments.
Mr. French asked if a date has been set for permeability tests; Mr. Rego said it has not
Mr. Crugnale said there was a recent sewer connection to the church from North Main Street;
Pastor Aruda said it was done about a week before.North Main Street was paved.
Public Comment
Karen Mee, Dr. Sibilia's office, 25 North Main Street, said she is concerned about the existing
stone wall and a walkway on their property. Mr. Crugnale said he will not touch the stone wall
on Dr. Sibilia's property; Mr. Rego said there will be five feet between the proposed decks and
the stone wall.
Ms. Mee asked about snow removal. Mr. Crugnale said the snow will either stay on the property
or be removed from the site. Ms. Mee said there is a lot of traffic congestion in the area now and
said she was concerned about this site contributing to that. She said she is concerned about
illegal parking in their lot; Mr. Cleary suggested adding signage. Mr. Crugnale said he would be
willing to do that. Ms. Mee asked how long the construction would take; Mr. Crugnale said it
Planning Board 6/21/2017
would take 9-12 months; and all construction action will be in his parking area. He said his trash
will be taken by the town or by a private company.
Gary Forget, 27 East Street, asked if there has been an agreement for an easement for the
driveway access. Mr. French said the applicant told the board he has an agreement with the
abutting landowner, which will not be put into place unless the special permit is approved.
when residents have visitors. He said the board should look at 1
noted the grading plan shows elevations. Mr. Forget said the pE
board should be looking at them with the town engineer.
is at least
runoff.
Pastor Ar
Dr.
tau
on and
ers are experimental and the
isting gutters, which they will
[e said they will do an observational hole, but based on abutting properties, he said it
K feet to groundwater. Mr. French suggested looking at using drywells for the roof
a said the groundwater level is because of the church's septic system, which was
was
Ms. Mee asked for a definitive rendering of the site; Mr. Crugnale said he understai
abutters' concerns and he plans to address them all. However, he said he has a sma
with and he thinks the benefits of renovating the building will outweigh any detrim
French recommended bringing existing conditions photographs to the next meeting
Mr. ;Forget asked if the developer has entered into an agreement for the easement ar
was not.
of that may
re the tree.
Is the
site to work
its. Mr.
1 asked if the
board can vote on a plan without an easement from we other property owner. ivir; rrench said
the board can make the easement a condition of approval and ask for a draft to make sure it will
function properly. Mr.. French said if the abutting property has a drainage problem, it is an issue
between that property owner and the town.
Ms. Friedman asked about the roof runoff on both the parking lot side and deck side. Mr. French
said drywells would take care of that runoff. Mr. Rego said the permeable pavers will perform
similar to the existing grass, allowing most of water to run through and go into the ground. He
said there will be two feet of gravel under the pavers to allow the water to slowly; infiltrate,
which should perform better than the existing grass. He said they will schedule the permeability
testing before next the meeting.
Mr. LeBlanc asked if, when grade is lowered, the building will have to be underpinned; Mr.
Crugnale said it may.
4 Planning Board 6/21/2017
A resident said she thinks the building is beautiful and this proposal will increase the town's tax
base, beautify the corner and raise the value of surrounding properties.
Mr. Cleary suggested talking to Dr. Lynch about whether his parking lot has drainage issues.
Pastor Aruda said Dr. Lynch upgraded his drainage a few years ago. Mr. Crugnale said he has
had numerous discussions with Dr. Lynch.
For the next meeting, the applicant will prepare a photometric plan, bring site photographs,
design dry wells, present a draft of the access easement, work with Mr. Alves, conduct
permeability testing, prepare snow removal plan.
Motion: To continue the public hearing to August 16, 2017 at 7:15 p.m.
(Feck-Friedman) All in favor. PASSES
Mr. Burke explained the Board of Selectmen is handling the tem;
temporary loss of MBTA parking lot spaces during construction.
A staff meeting has been scheduled for June 28, 2017 and the board will review the site plan on
July 12, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
Mr. Burke said his summer intern, Kaley Jodice, started on Monday. Ms. Jodice majors in
planning and public policy and will be working on bike paths and pedestrian connectivity.
Mr. Burke said he met with WS Development's new leasing agent, Holly Essler; she said she
would be willing to come speak with the board anytime. Her focus is on existing space and
upcoming leases. Mr. Burke said they discussed the two vacant pads, one on the right at the
entrance and the other in front of the former Sports Authority space. Mr. Burke said Ms Essler
told him leasing the vacant spaces is a priority for the company.
Mr. Burke said Norton has received state funding for its bike path, which includes portion in
Mansfield from Fruit Street to Route 495. Ms. Gonyer and the Norton Conservation Agent have
been flagging wetlands. Mr. Burke said Ms. Jodice will be looking at possible integration of the
Northeastern University students' proposal to realign the bike path through some downtown
parking lots and to narrow some streets in the business park to create bike paths and linear parks.
Mr. French suggested thinking about a Zoning By -Law amendment to allow restaurants in the
business park. Mr. Burke said there are around 5,000 employees in the business park.
5 Planning Board 6/21/2017
Mr. Feck asked about the Chocolate Factory; Mr. French asked Mr. Burke to contact the
developers for an update.
Ms. Friedman said she had planned to attend a workshop on June 1 regarding a 55 and over
development in Sherborn, but was unable to attend. She said she will contact the developer to
arrange a visit.
Ms. Friedman said she recently attended a Cultural Council meeting; that group is doing research
on a possible Cultural District and she suggested the board invite the council to a meeting for an
update on progress.
Mr. Cleary said trucks have been parking in the No Parking area in the Fresh Catch plaza.
town will set vertical granite to
Mr. LeBlanc asked about progr(
train station. Mr. Burke said thi
changed and the grant awards ai
sure the town and landowners m
town owns 42 acres of land, alo.
would also have to be on board
approve a development plan wit
Rep. Barrows has made progres
last time Mr. Azinheira visited t
Mr. Burke said he doesn't know
when SRPEDD did the buildout
IN
9,
to
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vent parking along the road.
on Route 106 improvements and the second entrance to the
Y18 MassWorks round is open, but the guidelines have
:onmected to economic development projects. He said he isn't
be able to get together on a grant application. He noted the
with the MBTA and two private landowners; MassDOT
the grade crossing. Mr. Feok said it would be impossible to
at a way to relieve the existing traffic issues. Mr. Burke said
pith MassDOT and the grade crossing._ Mr. French said the,'
board, he was looking at hiring a consultant towork on that.
hether a contract has been signed at this time. Mr. Burke said
Ay on that area a few years ago, it estimated $i0 million)year
bout the simple items that have been discussed;; Mr. Burke
;entto the Board of Selectmen.
To adjourn at 9:00 p.m. (Peck- '') All in favor. PASSES
,t Planning Board Meeting: July 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m., Meeting Room 2 a/b
of Clerk Date of Appro al
6 Planning Board 6/21/2017