Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Minutes June 23, 2003 PB
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TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF MEETING WILLIAMS ESTATE PLEASANT STREET JUNE 23, 2003 Members present: David Merrigan, Chairman, Peter Pineo, Vice Chairman, Jeremy Comeau, Clerk, Dean Miller and George Jenkins. 7:00 P.M. UPDATE WITH ROGER NICHOLAS AND FRANK KEEFE RE: INTERIM HOUSING CERTIFICATION; ADD A-LANE RTE. 95/93/RTE. 128 UPDATE Mr. Keefe is here tonight to convey to the Board what is happening with the Interim Housing Plan. At the last meeting with the Master Plan Committee, it was voted upon unanimously. Mr. Comeau was also at that meeting and spoke to the Board in that if the Planning Board approves this it will be sent to the State and can be used against the 40-B applications before them. There were many residences at that meeting against the 40-B application and in favor of this plan. Mr. Merrigan feels this is a recent development, and if it helps us that is good. It may be a too little, too late. The State has to act on this, and the 40-B applications may have to be acted on by then. Mr. Keefe suggested that the land owned by the Town, could be a developed site is Waldwell St. off Pleasant St. A decision would have to be made by the Board of Selectmen. If we certify a housing plan by the State, we will be bound by their terms. That is something that we should be concerned about. He feels that a Public Hearing should be made before a decision is made. Jill Hayes stated that we can modify that when we make the Master Plan. If this is approved as written, and then the Master Plan is done and we decide to modify that, then the Master Plan will become the certified housing plan. This plan before you, will be the certified housing plan, until the Master Plan is finished. That would be in December. We should also consider if the State Legislature reduces the affordable count. If by submitting this plan, are we than obligated to be at 10% as a Town. Mr. Comeau commented on the Hospital School in that they are out. Mr. Miller feels that in terms of a housing strategy it is lacking. It only addresses the issue of 40-B and how we handle that. There is nothing in the document that states when the document will no longer be interim, or when it will go of date, or that it will be assumed under the Master Plan. Therefore, he is reluctant to do anything with this document. He stills thinks it is not a housing strategy, but an attempt to fend off 40-B. The State will see that. He would like more discussion in this on other issues on housing. Mr. Keefe stated that the housing element of the Master Plan is going to address a lot of other elements not expressed there. Mr. Merrigan feels that it will help us more than hurt us and is in favor of it. Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau and seconded by Mr. Merrigan, the Board voted to send a favorable of the Interim Housing Strategy Plan submitted by Mr. Keefe. Voted 4-1 in favor. Mr. Miller opposed. 7:15 P.M. DESIGN REVIEW GUIDELINE COMMENTS-HEIDI SAMOKAR, MAPC Revised guidelines were passed out by Ms. Samokar based on the meeting two weeks ago. Input also from the Design Review Board will be incorporated. The changes were explained to the Board and she requested that the Board take the revised version home to look at. Any comments should be made to the chairman or her. The cover is being worked on. At the next meeting she hopes the Board will approve the document. 1
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7:45 P.M. SITE PLAN-OMNIPOINT ANTENNA ON HOSPITAL SCHOOL-RANDOLPH ST. POSTPONED GENERAL BUSINESS: Discussion on the Mass. Reform Land Use Reform Act was taken at this time. The Chair commented in favor of this because it provides the Planning Boards with excellent tools for planning. It gives both the Zoning and Planning Boards more power, in that we do not automatically accept an ANR plan, just because they have frontage on a way. In other States, you have to go through a process and make sure the house on that lot is appropriate. We should give a recommendation to our State Senator. Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau, and seconded by Mr. Miller, to send a recommendation to Senator Brian Joyce and Representative Galvin that we recommend the new Mass. Land Use Reform Act, the Board voted 5-0 in favor. Mr. Jenkins spoke, although he feels in favor of this, that it is not tight enough. Leslie Kramer of the Downtown Business Association, was here tonight to announce that at the last meeting of their association, they unanimously voted Chris Podgurski be their representative on the Design Review Board. They also voted Mr. Roman be an alternate. Discussion from Mr. Miller indicated that we have not received a formal resignation from Mr. Marathas yet. Mr. Kramer, indicated that that will be forthcoming. Mr. Comeau feels that the candidate should be here to speak with. Mr. Miller spoke on the matter in that in the past, a member has resigned his full membership, and dropped to an alternate, giving an alternate his position. Ms. Kramer mentioned that Mr. Roman was not a full member of the Downtown Assoc. until after he went on the Board. She feels that the membership would like to select the person they wanted to the Board. Mr. Podgurski did not know that they were nominating him, so he was not present tonight. The Chair would like Mr. Podgurski be present at the next meeting. Mr. Miller asked to have Mr. Roman present at the next meeting also. Ms. Kramer responded that they did not recommend Mr. Roman. Therefore, they will start with the recommended candidate and go from there. Roger Nicholas: Town Planner Roger was at the Add-a-lane seminar held at the Randolph Showcase Cinema last week. Senator Joyce is proposing legislation for Design Build. The idea is to speed up the project. The design at the surface is under way now. He is for design build. He feels the engineers should work with contractors. Mr. Houston spoke on his opinion. He concurs with Mr. Nicholas. The traditional relationship is that the engineer is employed by a third party. Chris Podgurski was also at that meeting. He wrote to the Chairman his opinion on the design build. Sheri Walker of Neponset Valley will be asked to attend one of our meetings on the matter. Mr. Miller has a friend who works on design-build projects and it works fine. One of the problems with the Rte. 3 N project, was that it was delayed many months and cost more money than it was suppose to because there was not enough community involvement and State involvement when doing the design. Mr. Pineo spoke on the project. He offered that maybe there is some way to do some sound buffering, whether it be creative berming, or fencing. The Chair would like to have Sherri Walker talk with the Board before a letter was to be sent to Senator Joyce. Mr. Jenkins has worked in many design-built buildings, and very few have been design -built. In a design-built building the owner is always there, and makes the decision, and works with closely with the architect/engineer/contractor. On Rte. 3 Add-a-Iane, is a total different concept. The contractor has a lease on the road for three years. Roger is working on a TIP(Trafic Improvement Program) for 138 intersection; Randolph and Washington and Turnpike Streets. The dead line is tomorrow. He was asked to get a picture to Heidi of the street lighting. Mr. Keefe noted that through this project on 1-95, Dedham Street will be seriously effected. 2