PLANNING BOARD
MINUTES
August 23, 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, August 23, 2007 at the Senior Center.
Motion to open the meeting at 7:05 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 4-0-0.
Motion to open the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis,
approved 4-0-0.
Public Hearing – 24 Wetherell Place – Residential Cluster
Ms. Love read a letter from Dan Campbell, engineer for the applicant, requesting a continuance until October 11, 2007 – due to a request for additional information and the impending membership change of the Board. (Mr. Harrop’s resignation is effective October 1, 2007.)
Motion to continue until October 11, 2007 by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 4-0-0.
Continued Public Hearing – 25 Taunton Street – Site Plan (Retail)
Present: Dave Simmons, Angle Tree Consulting
George Jung, Owner
Motion to open the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton,
approved 4-0-0.
Bill McGrath read Earth Tech’s comment letter (8/22/07) item by item and Mr. Simmons responded. He presented revised plans with the changes incorporated. Mr. Simmons reiterated that the applicant will be restoring the 35 foot buffer per an Enforcement Order from the Conservation Commission. Mr. McGrath suggested a guard rail for the top of the steep slope on the north side. Mr. Simmons said that they could extend the fence along this side. Mr. McGrath raised a concern that large trucks would have difficulty accessing and turning on the site. Mr. Simmons said that they anticipate mostly small truck deliveries – and that if large trucks needed to come on site, they could deliver after hours. Mr. McGrath said the Board could condition if ultimate usage warrants large truck
access – the site plan would need to be revised. The landscape buffer, on the north side, will include a 6 ft. solid vinyl fence and a dense row of evergreens – 6 ft. high at planting. Tenny Nevins, 29 Taunton St., would prefer a neutral color fence (green or brown). Mr. McGrath was also concerned that traffic traveling north on Route 152 would not have adequate time to stop for exiting traffic. He suggested warning signage. The Board will condition that the applicant seek this from the Board of Selectmen. Ms. Nevins was also concerned about dumpster noise. The Board will condition that pick up times be restricted to 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Motion to table the hearing for five minutes by Jim Throckmorton, seconded Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Continued Public Hearing - 1 Washington Street - Dental
Motion to open the public hearing for 1 Washington Street at 8:40 p.m. by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Ms. Love read a letter from Dana Clow, engineer for the applicant, requesting a continuance and an extension.
Motion to grant an extension until October 31, 2007 by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to continue the hearing until September 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Continued Public Hearing - 147 Washington Street – Site Plan
Motion to open the hearing by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Mike Czarnowski, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to continue until 9:00 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Mike Czarnowski, approved 5-0-0.
25 Taunton Street –Retail Building
Motion to untable the hearing by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to accept a $20,000 cash mitigation traffic impact donation by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to close the hearing by Bob Davis, seconded by Mike Czarnowski, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to approve the site plan, with conditions noted, by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Bob Davis, approved 5-0-0.
147 Washington Street – Robinson Plumbing
Motion to reopen the hearing by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Mr. Simmons submitted abutter notifications and provided an overview of the project. An L-shaped 7,500 sq. ft. addition for storage is proposed. The addition will be similar to the existing (11,780 sq. ft.) building – metal with a metal roof. Mr. Simmons noted that there are ground water clearance issues that result in the truck well filling up when it rains – requiring pumping. To avoid this in the addition, an internal dual truck bay with a raised floor is proposed. Mr. Harrop was concerned that contaminants are being discharged and would like the applicant to fix the current problem. Mr. Simmons explained that they are adding a small recharge system for the additional runoff – and they could look at connecting to it.
Marcia Benes, 56 Taunton St., provided some history of the site. She said that when the site was first developed, the Planning Board required a fence and an additional row of screening trees. She said she had to fight for ten years to get the fence – which is not of good quality, and the trees were never planted. Ms. Benes said there is a problem with litter coming over the fence. She said 11.3 acres of her property has a conservation easement that is being degraded as a result. Mr. Czarnowski observed that if more storage was inside, there should be less litter. The Board agreed to place conditions to remedy the problems – a better, taller fence and additional screening. Mr. Harrop asked Ms. Love to research the previous conditions (1989).
Motion to continue until September 27, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. by Jim Throckmorton, seconded by Mike Czarnowski, approved 5-0-0.
General Business
Catherine Holmes was interviewed and offered the position of Clerk/Recording Secretary. She will start at the next meeting – September 13, 2007.
Discussion – Cluster By-Law
The Board was provided a draft copy of a revised Cluster By-law, better reflecting Smart Growth initiatives. The Board had questions regarding tax and maintenance issues on the Open Space land in the cluster development. Mr. Widak asked Ms. Love to get a copy of the tax bill for Walnut Hill Estates. She explained that the Assessor sends one bill to the Home Owners’ Association and the residents are charged a monthly fee for their portion. Consensus to expedite for November Town Meeting – and schedule a public hearing for September 27, 2007.
Motion to increase engineering fee for Site Plan Review Form L and Special Permit review Form M to $6000 by Bob Davis, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Motion to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. by Mike Czarnowski, seconded by Jim Throckmorton, approved 5-0-0.
Next Meeting: September 13, 2007 at the Senior Center
Respectfully submitted,
Sherry Norman, Clerk
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