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PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES
July 26, 2007
Members Present: Mike Czarnowski, Bob Davis, Ed Harrop, Jim Throckmorton, Stan Widak
Also Present: Amy Love, Town Planner
The Plainville Planning Board held its meeting on Thursday, July 26, 2007 at the Senior Center.
Motion to open the meeting at 7:05 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to open the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis,
approved 5-0-0.
Continued Public Hearing - 49 Washington Street – Site Plan
Present: Dave Simmons, Esq. and President - Angle Tree Consulting
Mr. Simmons asked for a continuance. The Conservation Commission had requested areas to be staked prior to conducting a site walk, and this has not yet been done due to the surveyor being backed up. Matt Mullally, Earth Tech, read their comment letter, dated July 26, 2007. Mr. Mullally noted that their drainage review is not yet complete. Mr. Czarnowski asked that the applicant have National Grid conduct an EMF test. Mr. Simmons agreed to ask for an opinion letter to see if they feel a test is warranted. Mr. Simmons will provide the traffic study to EarthTech for review – to be discussed at the next meeting.
Motion to grant an extension until September 17, 2007 by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to continue the hearing until September 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Public Hearing - 2 Wilkins Drive – Bubble King – Site Plan
Present: Peter Lavoie, Guerriere & Halnon, Inc.
Steve Silverman, owner
David Tonis, Architect
Motion to open the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton,
approved 5-0-0.
Mr. Lavoie said the existing site is a 60,000 sq.ft. lot containing a laundromat and a car wash – with 80% pavement. There is a curb cut on Route 106 and three on Wilkins Dr. The applicant proposed to tear down the existing structures and build two new buildings: a 7400 retail/laundromat building in front and a car wash in back – housing two self-service car wash bays and one automatic. The site will have 47 parking spaces. A new water line will be run off Wilkins Dr. They will use the existing sewer. Plans call for relocating the existing propane tank (for the refilling service) to the back corner of the site near the trash and transformer pads. Mr. Harrop said this was a dangerous situation and asked that these be separated. Mr. Mullally will research and
make a recommendation. Mr. Widak asked if the construction was to be phased in and Mr. Silverman responded that he plans to close for a short time and complete the whole project at once. Mr. Throckmorton raised a concern that there was only 15 feet between the buildings. Mr. Harrop said that this was sufficient as there was emergency access on three sides. Mr. Lavoie provided an overview of the drainage system and noted that this was an improvement over existing conditions – as none exists currently. The applicant goes before the Board of Health on August 1st. He also said the proposed lighting would be better than existing. Mr. Widak noted that since this project is considered “redevelopment”, the new open space requirement would not apply. However the plan shows an improvement from 20 to 24%. Mr. Silverman told the Board that he has had meetings with Jim Marshall about recycling some of the water
using roof runoff for irrigation. He will also recirculate heat from the dryers for other uses. He noted that one of the reasons he is rebuilding is to gain energy efficiencies. Mr. Mullally asked whether a traffic study has been done and was told that this was being worked on. Mr. Silverman was instructed to send it directly to Earth Tech and copy Ms. Love. Mr. Mullally also said that the turning radii should be increased and properly labeled.
Motion to continue the hearing until September 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Continued Public Hearing - Plainville Commerce Park – Definitive Subdivision
Present: Dave Simmons and Jamie Shores, Angle Tree Consulting
Gerry Lorusso and Tim Higgins, Edgewood Development
Ken Cramm, Vanasse and Assoc.
Bill McGrath, Matthew Mullally and Dennis Flynn, Earth Tech
Motion to open the Plainville Commerce Park Public Hearing at 8:05 p.m. by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Mr. Simmons submitted a response letter to Earth Tech’s comment letter (6/27/07). Mr. Shores submitted a second letter regarding the drainage and briefly went through it. The MEPA waiver was granted; no EIR will be required. Mr. Harrop asked Bill McGrath to review the drainage system with Angle Tree, as well as Bill Domey’s comments - when available. Neither the Board nor Earth Tech had received a copy of Mr. Cramm’s response letter – only concept plans. Mr. Cramm said he would supply them. He offered three alternatives to the issue of truck traffic on the residential portion of Cross St.; he said he preferred the third option. 1.) create a dead end on Cross St., at the end of Linn St. 2.) similar to the first option, but create a cul-de-sac on the other
side of the street. (Since this is private property, the Town would have to get involved to gain access.) 3. redirect the traffic through the site on the new road to the signal. The existing T in the “extension” will be designed with a tight turning radius, so trucks will have difficulty going in this direction. Mr. Harrop would like to see additional signage indicating “no trucks” allowed on the residential portion. This would be up to the Board of Selectmen (BOS). Joe Fernandes, Town Administrator, would like to set up a meeting with the residents and the Boards to discuss the options and come up with a solution. He is concerned that the problem doesn’t just get shifted to another part of town. At the request of the Board, Mr. Cramm reviewed the site distances on the side streets and said they meet standards. Police Chief Merrick said his officers use Cross St. as an emergency thru-way to the west
side of town and would not like to see it blocked. He also committed to strict enforcement and said this can be very costly for trucks. Mike Turinese, 2 Cross St., asked why the cul-de-sac couldn’t be on the industrial park side. He is also concerned about increased car traffic and those backed up at the light looking for alternative routes. Phil Tuminelli, 8 Cross St., echoed this concern and said he has not seen much enforcement in the 24 years he has lived here. Jennifer Jones, 6 Cross St., would like more exploration given to options one and two. Cindy Tuminelli, 8 Cross St., also liked the dead-end option. She suggested it could be designed to allow for emergency access – but also thought the new road through the park would be best for this. She said that the residents feel this is their last chance to fix a long-standing problem – and to give them back their neighborhood. Elaine Finase, 487 South St.,
reiterated the safety concerns as a result of the increased vehicular traffic. She also asked why addressStreetFuller St. couldn’t be used and was told it is a scenic road that would require Town approval – and wouldn’t help move the traffic considerably. Glen Pasani, from the Wrentham Planning Board, said they had sent a letter (7/10/07) citing their concerns and informing the Board that they have contacted the Norfolk County Commissioners Office for assistance in traffic planning and coordination along Route 1A from Wrentham Center to Route 1. (Ms. Love read the letter into the record.) Mr. Widak and Mr. Harrop commented that while they sympathize with the residents’ concerns, the Board’s job is to provide balance between those and development – which is a fact of life that they must get used to. Mr. Tuminelli commented that if a 24 hr operation were to be part of the mix, the traffic study numbers wouldn’t be valid. Mr. Cramm explained that the trip generation used was
for a mixed use industrial subdivision. Mr. Simmons added that any building in excess of 45,000 sq. ft. would require a special permit which would require them to come back to the Board (and possibly the state if the plan varied significantly) for further review and controls. Zoning issue might also apply. Jack Peavey, addressStreet10 Robin St., was concerned about construction hours and dust control. He said they have an on-going problem with Northeast Concrete. Ms. Tuminelli stated that since there are so many unknowns, issues should be addressed now – for it will be too late to fix them after the fact. Mr. Lorusso said he would fully support whatever decision the Planning Board made.
Motion to grant an extension until September 30, 2007 by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to continue until September 13, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved, 5-0-0.
General Business
Motion to accept the minutes of June 14, 2007 by Stan Widak, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to accept the minutes of June 28, 2007 by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to accept the minutes of July 12, 2007 by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Mike Czarnowski, approved 5-0-0.
92 Taunton Street – NTB
Mr. Simmons informed the Board that the spacing of the pipes in the drainage system changed from 24 to 12” due to an ordering mistake. Earth Tech approved the change. No action required by the Board. Mr. Simmons also noted that the Conservation Commission recently approved a modification to replace the retaining wall with a 3:1 grassed slope – with guard rail. The wall, which was to protect the 35 foot buffer, is no longer required because the ditch will be filled in as part of the approval for Edgewood Apartments. He is discussions with Storage country-regionplaceUSA to approve an easement allowing a culvert under the future access road to Edgewood Apartments. If the easement is obtained, the wall will also be eliminated along this side. He also reported that the
doorway and HP spaces have shifted and a walkway was eliminated.
The Board signed an ANR for Plainville Commerce Park - 24 Cross St
Motion to accept the Open Space Plan by Mike Czarnowski, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 6-0-0.
Motion to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Next Meeting: August 23, 2007 at the Senor Center
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Norman, Clerk
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