WEST BRIDGEWATER PLANNING BOARD
8/6/14
PRESENT: H. Hurley, H. Anderson, G. Stetson and J. Noyes
ABSENT: A. Kinahan
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
1. 0 Spring Street:
A Form A and Plans for the above address were submitted for review by Silva Engineering on behalf of Mitchell Slapik. The intent of the plan is to divide Map 24, Lot 174 into two (2) non- buildable lots. Parcel B, with .94 acres will be combined with Map 23 Lot 009. Parcel A will now contain 2.83 acres and is not considered a buildable lot under the current zoning regulations. It was noted that the plan meets the requirements for frontage and area.
A Motion (GS) was made to endorse the Form A and plans for 0 Spring Street as submitted by Mitchell Slapik. Second (HA). Vote: Unanimous of the four (4) members present.
2. 255 Pleasant Street:
The Board received correspondence from Larry Hargreaves regarding a proposed site plan for the above property. Mr. Hurley related that he had reviewed the plans and informed Mr. Hargreaves that he had the following concerns:
1. Outside lighting needs to be shown; they should be of the “shoebox” variety that keeps the light shining downward,
2. It needs to be demonstrated that there will be no runoff of drainage onto the street, and
3. The water main ends at South Elm Street. The people developing the property across the street have proposed to extend the water to their site; it might be good to speak with them. The size of the main may not be adequate to serve the fire protection needs of the building when he builds out the other parcels.
A brief discussion was held regarding the water issues and how they might be addressed. Mr. Hurley suggested that it might be time for them to “loop the whole thing.” Mr. Stetson suggested that they will also need sprinklers installed. Mr. Hurley noted that this was not a formal submittal as yet but expected that it would be before too long.
3. 254 Pleasant Street:
The Board reviewed a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals from the Conservation Commission regarding a site plan/special permit application from Kyle Johnson of the KJ Irrevocable Trust for the above site. Conservation Agent, John Delano, had sent notice that any
continued:
West Bridgewater Planning Board
Minutes of 8/6/14
Page 2
change in the Order of Conditions must be reviewed by the Commission to see if a project requires a new filing. After speaking with the engineer for the project, Mr. Delano determined that the change occurred outside an area of the jurisdiction of the Commission. Therefore, no further approvals are required by the Commission until such time as the change or work impacts the wetlands or the jurisdictional buffer zoned of this site. The letter was placed on file.
4. 44 Pleasant Street:
The Board received a request from the Zoning Board of Appeals to review a site plan/special permit and variance for the above site. The applicant, David Quinlan, is seeking a special permit for contractor’s offices as shown on the plan. Mr. Quinlan is also seeking variances for frontage, lot size and side setbacks.
Mr. Hurley noted that two (2) houses on this site had been torn down and would be replaced by and eighty by forty five (80’x 45’) foot commercial building. He noted that while proponents fell short of the requirements, it is an existing lot. After further review of the plan and drainage, Mr. Hurley noted that no lighting is shown on the plan. He noted that there are several residences in this area and wanted to ensure that they would not be impacted by the type of lighting used.
A Motion (HA) was made to send a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals with the following recommendation:
1. That the applicant demonstrates that the proposed lighting will not adversely affect the neighboring residential properties and that any lighting used is directed downward towards the ground. The Board suggests that “shadow box” type lighting be used so that no “halo” effect impacts the surrounding area.
Second (GS). Vote: Unanimous of the four (4) members present.
5. Conflict of Interest determination:
Mr. Hurley reported that he had received a response to his question regarding a possible conflict of interest since Mr. Stetson’s daughter is purchasing a home at the West Meadow Woods subdivision off of Walnut Street.
Correspondence from Town Counsel, David Gay, noted that, in his opinion, in order to avoid a potential violation of the State Ethics Law Mr. Stetson should make a written disclosure of the pertinent facts to his appointing authority and make a public disclosure at any meeting of the Planning Board which involves the interests of this developer. He further noted that if Mr. Stetson makes the public disclosure then he may participate in any matter brought before the Planning Board by the developer and there will be no violation of the State Ethics Law. A copy of the Attorney’s letter was filed with the Town Clerk and will be read into the record at the next meeting.
continued:
West Bridgewater Planning Board
Minutes of 8/6/14
Page 3
6. West Meadow Woods:
Mr. Stetson reported that he had spoken with developer, Steven Fox, about the emergency road at the rear of this subdivision. He noted that there is a fence between this property and the abutting property that he thought should be moved to allow for better emergency access. Mr. Fox stated that the abutting property owner did not want to move the fence because it would limit the ability of tractor trailer trucks making deliveries to his warehouse to be able to get around on the site. Mr. Fox stated that he had an agreement with this owner to install a gate at each end of the roadway to allow for emergency access and egress to this subdivision. Mr. Stetson stated that he told Mr. Fox that he would have to submit a written agreement between the two property owners to the Board to be kept on file in case any problems arise. Mr. Hurley questioned how the roadway could be used if it was “gated.” Mr. Stetson noted that it would be a chain barrier that emergency personnel could cut to access and egress the site. Mr. Hurley noted that this roadway is just behind the open space parcels for the subdivision.
Mr. Stetson also reported that all of the curbing is in, the sidewalk is prepped, all of the houses have been framed and the developers expect to do the final paving sometime in September. Mr. Hurley reminded the Board that proponents still have to come before the Planning Board to establish a cash surety before they will release the final lots.
7. Paradise Park:
Mr. Hurley reported that potential buyers of the property on Samuel Ave/Brooks Place/Walnut Street have requested copies of the construction plans for the subdivision previously approved back in 1987. Mr. Hurley stated that there were 34 pages of the 24” x 36” inch sized plans. He will contact Allegra Print to find out the cost of having the copies made. Once this has been determined he will contact the proponents to have them prepay the cost before the copies are actually made.
8. Meadow Spring Drive:
The Board noted that the deeds and conveyances for the roadway and easements for the above subdivision still have not been submitted, reviewed or approved for this subdivision. The last time the Board met with Mr. Donato he stated that his attorney, Ron Whitney, was preparing the deeds, conveyance documents, and roadway easements and would submit them as soon as they were done.
Mr. Hurley had noted that once all of the paperwork was in order, the Board would schedule a public hearing to release the surety and then forward the plans to the Board of Selectmen for street acceptance at the next town meeting. Mr. Donato had assured the Board that he would make sure that everything was submitted as soon as possible. It was noted for the record that the above documents have still not been submitted.
continued:
West Bridgewater Planning Board
Minutes of 8/6/14
Page 4
9. MAIL:
Bridgewater Planning Board public hearing 7/7/14, re: site plan, 1029 Pleasant St. approved.
Bridgewater Planning Board public hearing 7/7/14, re: site plan, 1133 Pleasant St. approved.
Bridgewater Planning Board public hearing 7/21/14, re: site plan, Firework Circle, approved.
Assessor’s minutes of 7/2/14.
Expense Control report of 7/16/14 and 7/29/14.
Expense Ledger report of 7/16/14, and 7/29/14.
10. A Motion (HA) was made to pay the secretary payroll for the period ending 8/5/14.
Second (GS). Vote: Unanimous of the four (4) members present.
11. The minutes of 7/16/14 were accepted and filed.
12. The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna M. Cotter,
Secretary