Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Minutes Jan 21, 2003 PB
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Source page 1
TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING CANTON HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA JANUARY 21,2003 Members present: Robert MacDonald, Chairman, David Merrigan, Vice Chairman, Peter Pineo, Clerk, Jeremy Comeau and P. Christopher Podgurski. General Business: Edwards & Kelcey memorandum on Pine Ridge Construction: Tom Houston spoke on the memo to Pine Ridge on Bailey Road, and the first item was an evaluation of an informal sketch of the retaining wall that would carry the roadway through the wetlands. He has provided the applicant, Tom Duggan, with guidance with respect to the current requirements of the final submission. He has discussed the memo with Mr. Duggan today and was reluctant to submit the profile of the wall that was requested. The reason for the request was to be able to evaluate the jointing system of the wall, and whether or not they were sufficient expansion and contraction joints. Mr. Houston went on to say that he was interested in finding out how the height of the wall was to be terminated at its end. He had some concern about the stepped footings configuration that was submitted, therefore, he asked for the profile of the wall. Also asked was structural computations to verify the stability of the wall. Mr. Duggan thought it was sufficient to have his structural engineer stamp the drawing, and the computations were not necessary. He also reminded Mr. Duggan at the pre-conference meeting on site, a requirement of a simple maintenance traffic plan to facilitate utility installation cuts in Bailey Street. Mr. Podgurski had a conversation with Mr. Duggan, in respect to the wall, he asked if the detail can be done later. Mr. MacDonald stated that a letter from the Board of Health was received and dated January 10th, asking the applicant of Pine Ridge to cease and desist operations and they listed the reasons. Basically they had not given their approval of the subdivision yet. On January 16th, another letter was received from the Board of Health advising that at that meeting they reviewed the subdivision and rescinded the order to desist. Mr. Podgurski stated that they are placing gravel on the site, nothing to do with this letter. Mr. Houston will investigate for the Board. 7:30 P.M. ANR PLAN-PARCEL 17,18 DOWNS-ALLAN FILLEBROWN Mr. Fillebrown was present to discuss what he is requesting through the Form A presented. He would like the two lots combined into one lot. He was asked if he has been before the Conservation Commission yet. He has not. He was told he needs to go before the Conservation first to see if they will allow him use of the property. He was also told they he will probably have to talk to the Fire Chief, about vital access, and location of the nearest fire hydrant. He does not have a plan showing where the house will be built. Mr. Houston feels the question is primarily with the Building Inspector. Mr. Pineo spoke on the issue of improving Downs Ave. and that this would be the time. The Board has been consistent on this in the past. Mr. Fillebrown asked if he know who owns the road. He did not know. He was asked if he has consul. He does not. Mr. Merrigan feels that he may not need to go through the ANR process, but through a Perimeter Plan. The applicant withdrew the application. An abutter to the property, Vadim Y. spoke on his opposition to this lot being built on .
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7:45 P.M. CHP. 40-B -GREEN LODGE GARDENS -2224 WASHINGTON ST.-PAT CONSIDINEI DENISE MOYNIHAN, ESQ. Mr. Pineo recused himself from the hearing. Tom Donohue from Allen & Majors Associates, an engineering firm representing the applicant, spoke on issues the Board may have. The revised plans was presented. They will meet with Mr. Houston on the new plans for his review and comments. The site has a combination of single residential zones. It is now designed for 48 units in duplex format, and all two bedroom units. They have designed it to have 1300 ft. of roadway. The main entrance will be off of Washington St. The grade has been decreased from 10% to 8%. The units now have been slid down. Additional landscaping has been provided along the South property line. He went over the traffic volumes. The Chairman asked about the tank that was removed. Rob from Green Environmental addressed that question. 5 underground storage tanks were removed in November and the Fire Dept. personnel were there on their removal. Mr. Comeau voiced his concern about having a left hand turn on 138. Shawn Kelley from VHB commented spoke on the traffic. Attorney Moynihan spoke on the ownership of the right of way. It was layed out in 1920. It is common ownership with the back lot. Mr. Pineo, as a citizen, spoke on the access and egress. He spoke about the corridor study and the use of no left hand turns. He spoke about lack of recreational areas. Abutter Kenneth Bowman of 23 Ponkapoag Way has concerns yet on traffic, feels that there will be many children coming here, and he has a water problem. He likes the neighborhood and is against this. They will back at another meeting. A gentlemen from 27 Ponkapoag Way commented that this will be a burden on schools and other services. GENERAL BUSINESS: Roger Nicholas spoke on the PWED Grant. He spoke with MA Highway grant coordinator last week. He was advised that the PWED Grant is under the discretion of the Sec. Of Transportation. He was not able to give us a firm time frame. However, we have a new transportation secretary appointed by the Governor. This may be a good time to make our case in regard to timing. The Underground Wiring Project will start soon. There is no commitment yet on grant on Downtown Lighting Program. Roger will contact Sen. Joyce and the State Reps. as soon as possible to get the grant. This whole project is at the 25% design stage. This is now on a list. They won't tell us where we are on the list. On the Community Preservation Act, Roger has been asked to prepare an Article for ATM. If approved, this would enable Towns to establish a municipal community preservation fund by local referendum. Monies are collected from a surcharge of up to 3% of local property taxes. The State will offer matching grants from the preservation trust fund. It may only be spent on Open Space, historical preservation and community housing. The next stage is to put it at the Town elections and put it on the ballot. Mr. Merrigan spoke on the Act, in that low income housing residents, are exempt, and senior housing. The first $100,000. Is exempt. He wanted from page 4 of the Act, to add the section on industrial and commercial. Master Plan- The State MA Highway has review our transportation plan. They are encouraging a regional transportation plan; planning in the Master Plan. We have just completed the 138 Corridor Study, and the 1-95 and 1-93 University Ave. Plan. He would like the Planning Board to ask for a waiver from the Regional Plan and do a local transportation plan. If you want a local plan you have to ask for a waiver of our standards. Mr. MacDonald asked what this does for us? The State is funding part of our Master Plan., and we have done two regional plans already. He does not feel that it is in our best interests, to duplicate those regional studies. He is confident that we will get the waiver. Upon a motion made by Mr. Merrigan and seconded by Mr. Comeau, the Board voted unanimously in favor of asking for a waiver from the State through Roger Nicholas. Voted 5-0 in favor. Roger's understanding from the State is that we have provisional housing certification, but it is provisional because they want to see that Master Plan housing element has to say. The Master Plan Steering Committee needs two members. This will be put as a new release in the paper.