Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
June 26, 2006
Saved text from 2 of 6 source pages. Transcription and OCR may contain errors; verify figures and wording against the original.
Source page 1
- 1 - TOWN OF CANTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING TOWN HALL WASHINGTON S1. MONDAY June 26, 2006 Members present: George Jenkins, Chairman, Jeremy Comeau, Vice Chairman, Jillian Hayes, Clerk, Dean Miller, Chris Connolly. Suzanne Feigen, Secretary The Special Meeting came to order at 7:06 P.M. Approval of minutes of June 7,2006: Upon a motion made by Mr. Comeau and seconded by Mr. Miller to approve the minutes of June 7,2006, the Board voted 5-0 in favor. Discussion on road width: Mrs. Hayes met with the Fire Chief concerning the road width in the rules and regulations. He stated that 22' width is the absolute minimum. She met with Dan Donahue, Town Engineer, and he believes 26' width is the correct width. However, he will look for the standard in Ma. and get back to her. She is still gathering information for the workshop. The Fire Chief had mentioned several subdivisions that he thought were too narrow. 1. DEFINITIVE SUBDIVISION-363 CHAPMAN ST.-PAUL FELDMAN/PAUL SCHNEIDERS, ESQ. (Due 6/30/06) DECISION DUE Paul Schneiders, Esq. spoke as the Attorney for the applicant. Up until tonight, there has not been much opposition for this subdivision. He and his client has been encouraged to go forward with a subdivision. He received no discouragement through the entire preliminary plan, from his neighbors, or from this Board. At the very last hearing, where there was a lack of decisiveness and a vote was not taken, some neighbors that this is a good time to do what the newspaper said, and not in my back yard. His client is not asking for anything outrageous or as many waivers as granted on Washington St. He would like a favorable vote tonight. This is only a two lot subdivision, since there is already a house on one of the lots. Tom Houston spoke on the application and that there is a revised plan submitted and that all but a few minor points which are listed in the conditions of approval, have been satisfied. He updated the Board on a visit to the property with an abutter and Board member Chris Connolly. The abutter would like some vegetated buffer in between the house and the new property, which he thinks can be accommodated within the required setback on Lot 3. Also there were some concerns about drainage. He believes their concerns were put aside because of the way the yard is graded. The applicant has been responsive. The waivers are a matter of policy not engineering. Jill Hayes stated that there was resistance to the subdivision from the beginning on her part because of the waivers on the subdivision that she opposes. 1
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- 2 - Atty. Schneiders stated that there are 12 basic waivers. Mr. Houston stated that only two are substantive waivers: 3.4.8.1, street length and 3.4.6.9 roadway intersection. He disagrees with the statement that we don't usually grant waivers, because that is the purpose of the Planning Board. If you do not grant waivers, he stated, then all you need is the consultant engineer or the Town Engineer to go through the plan to see that they comply with the subdivision control and you do not need the Planning Board. Mrs. Hayes feels that he misinterprets her statement. She feels that we should not grant waivers to create subdivisions. Mr. Comeau believes that there is a difference in the subdivision and Washington Commons. He disagrees with Mrs. Hayes and wouldn't need Planning Board if not for waivers. On 3.6.6.4 waiver-overland flow- Mr. Houston does not know if the P.B. agrees that a waiver is in order. The question of the waiver was not asked for by the applicant's engineer, David Ray, and he does not feel it is needed. Mr. Miller stated Mr. Houston states only two waivers: discharge over property line and offset to Legion St. Mr. Connolly spoke that Legion St. has a minimum amount of traffic coming off it. Audience: Joe Buckley, 360 Chapman St. has known Vinny for ages. Many of us have redone our houses over the years. He feels this is a good plan and is in favor. Vinny DiBiasio owner of the property, 363 Chapman St., spoke that he has been there for 34 years, and would like to stay. He has to sell for retirement purposes and because he going to a handicap facility because of the possibility of loosing his other leg. Larry Chelmow, of Chapman St. is opposed. He put up a map of how he has charted the traffic flow. He stated that what we did twenty years ago doesn't go with what is today. He conducted it on off hours 9-12 and came up with 600 cars per hour. Rush hours 7-9, 4-6 and came up with 1,000 cars per hour. 12-4-700 cars per hour. He stated that you are putting in a road that is on a curve. A tree will have to come down on Chapman St. He spoke with the MBTA. Bob Condel, direct abutter and Vinny's brother-in-law. He has no ill will towards to Vinny. His concern is with development, and safety with the street in regard to Legion St. A disaster could happen because of proximity of two street. Bill Day, 65 Chapman St. is looking for a buffer from noise. Carolyn of Fairview Dr. is opposed and has a problem with waivers. She commented on the spreader design that the engineer stated the water flow according to contours established the water flow. Mr. Houston stated it all goes to the railroad now and it will continue to go to the railroad but more controlled. He was asked if there will be more total discharge, and he stated that there will be less of a peak rate but more of the water. Larry Chelmow stated that the MBTA stated they were never satisfied. According to the secretary of the P.B. office and Atty. Schneiders, return receipts were signed by the MBTA in two occasions. Maureen Bowdett has a problem with the traffic on Chapman Street. She is against granting waivers to the developer. Mr. Chelmow was misinformed and so stated. John Sequin of 365 Chapman St. was against the waivers. 2