Wednesday, January 14, 2004

7:00 p.m.

Members Present: Chairman Harold Congdon, Fred Bishop, Ron Christ, Ed Ciaraldi, and Bill Selig.

Also Present: Town Planner Lisa Pearson, secretary Katrina O’Leary

Chairman Congdon calls the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

1.Old Business

a. Thai Realty Trust - Continued Public Hearing for Site Plan Review - 158 Lafayette Street

Bishop steps down from the discussion due to a possible conflict of interest. Ron Laffely, Fulcrum, Inc. Architects, describes the proposed project. He points out that the plans now show a one-story building as opposed to the originally proposed two-story building. Members agree to this change.

Chairman Congdon asks if there are any questions from the public. Hearing none Congdon closes the Public Hearing. Chairman Congdon then steps down from the chair. Congdon makes a motion to approve the Site Plan Review for 158 Lafayette Street. Christ seconds the motion. Members vote unanimously in favor of approving the Site Plan. Motion passes.

Bishop returns to the meeting.

b. Kitty Gagnon - Approval of Board of Appeals Special Permit decision - 291 North End Blvd.

Chairman Congdon begins discussion regarding the Board's recommendation to the Board of Appeals on the Special Permit for an Accessory Building. The Board, in general feels that they should make a recommendation to the Board of Appeals before the Board of Appeals holds a Special Permit Public Hearing. Planning Director Pearson alerts the Board to a letter received just hours before the Planning Board's meeting from the applicant. Ms. Gagnon has asked the Board for a continuance, the needed materials are not yet available to the Planning Board. Bishop and Christ feel that the applicant has had enough time to prepare for this meeting, they are willing to give, at most, two more weeks. Christ motions to continue discussion regarding 291 North End Blvd. to their next meeting. Selig seconds the motion. Members vote unanimously in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

Pearson clarifies for the Board that Ms. Gagnon had originally gone before the Board for a special permit for a two family dwelling. The Board of Appeals changed the application to a Special Permit for an accessory unit during that meeting; hence the reason that the Planning Board was not asked for a recommendation on the subject until after the Public Hearing was held by the Board of Appeals

c. Planning Board Procedure Discussion

Bishop is nonplussed by the lack of proper procedures regarding mail delivery in the Planning Office. He would like to see all the Board's mail and files locked up. Members ask staff about their missing nameplates. Staff reminds them that the Board's last secretary still has them in her possession. Congdon has had trouble getting in touch with the past secretary. The Board asks staff to write a letter to the secretary asking her for the missing Planning Board materials. Bishop motions to write a letter to the town manager to come before the Planning Board to explain to them any new Planning Board/Department procedures, if any. Selig seconds. Vote on the motion: Ciaraldi and Christ abstain from voting; Selig and Bishop vote in favor. Motion fails. Ciaraldi then motions to send a letter to the town manager asking him to choose a time and place to meet with the Planning Board regarding planning board/dept. procedures. Christ seconds the motion. Members vote unanimously in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

d. Request for Bond Reduction - Linda Lane - Millenium Engineering

The Planning Board has received a letter from Harry Fogg, the applicant, asking for a bond reduction. Chairman Congdon reads a letter from Don Levesque, the town engineer, explaining that in all subdivisions, 100% of the bond is held for one year after the final topcoat is installed, in case of any failures during the winter. He recommends that the bond be held until December 2004. Pearson states that she has received a verbal request from the owner that his bond reduction request be withdrawn. Discussion is finished.

2. Public Hearing Site Plan Review 115-121 Bridge Street - Wayne Downs

Ciaraldi leaves the room due to a possible conflict of interest. Jim Babbin, Millenium Engineering, introduces the owner, Wayne Downs, and the architect, John Sava, Sava Associates Architects. Babbin describes the site. He points out parking locations and that the new building adheres to the proper setback regulations in the zone. Bishop asks questions regarding the turnaround for parking on the side of the proposed building. Babbin mentions that there are two existing sewer stub outs to the property that they would like to tie into. The existing curb opening is very wide; it will be decreased in the finished plan. A truck will be able to turn around and unload in the front. Babbin explains the drainage plan. John Sava describes the design of the proposed building. The drainage system will empty into a stone drainage system surrounding the building. Congdon asks why they are proposing a gravel parking lot on the side. Babbin answers that the Conservation Commission asked them not to pave it. Bishop does not want to approve the Site Plan until the Conservation Commission approves it. Babbin states that they were hoping to obtain Site Plan approval before the Conservation Commission final order of conditions. John Sava, Sava Architecture, describes the wood frame building. Trusses will create a cathedral ceiling with two small offices on the second floor. The height of the building will be 25 feet, with the tower measuring 35 feet above the ground.

Bishop makes a motion that the side parking lot be paved. Selig seconds the motion. Members present vote unanimously in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

Christ asks the engineer why the whole property isn't shown. Babbin explains that for Site Plan Review, they decided to show the area being reviewed in larger scale than if they tried to show the whole property. Chairman Congdon runs through the plan requirements with the applicant. Discussion takes place on the dumpster enclosure, parking, drainage, etc.

Congdon refers the application to their engineering consultant for review and continues the Public Hearing until the Board's next regular meeting.

Ciaraldi returns to the meeting.

3. Public Hearing - Site Plan Review 82/84 Bridge Road - Brian and Joanne Short

Brian Knowles, Apple Associates, and engineer for the applicant, explains that his client has been before the Salisbury Conservation Commission since September. They are proposing an oil/gas separator in the construction. Bishop is concerned that there will be much waste created from the storage of forms in the tidal area. Knowles mentions that they are installing an oil absorbent sock in this area to catch any residue. Bishop is not happy with the plan. There will be an emergency spill kit in the interior of the building. Selig motions to send the application along with information from Matt Brassard to the Board's consultant, Joe Serwatka for him to review. Bishop seconds the motion. Discussion on the motion: Bishop is uncomfortable making a decision before the Conservation Commission is through with their review. Christ does not think Serwatka needs to review the plan. Congdon calls for a vote on the motion on the table. Ciaraldi, Selig, and Bishop vote in favor of the motion. Christ is opposed to the motion. Motion passes.

Ciaraldi motions to continue the Public Hearing until their next regular meeting. Christ seconds the motion. All members present vote in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

Pearson asks for clarification on a letter from Brassard.

4. Preliminary Site Plan Review Discussion - 26 and 29 Cable Avenue - GISO Realty

The applicants, William Sobolewski and Dana Gianoulis, explain their proposed plan for construction of condominium units at the above addresses. The Board discusses the plan in general and directs applicants to submit a formal application to the Board.

5. Other Business

a. Mark Eaton, Cambridgeport Coated Products, explains that the building inspector has informed him that he needs Site Plan Review to erect a shelter on his property. He asks the Board to entertain a waiver of Site Plan Review. Congdon asks him to obtain at least a plot plan of the property and show where the tent will be erected and, in a letter to the Board, formally request that the Board waive Site Plan Review.

b. Brian Knowles asks the Board to informally review plans for a cluster subdivision at 7 Toll Road. General discussion takes place.

c. Bishop motions to have Chairman Congdon meet with the building inspector regarding the Site Plan Review process. Christ seconds. All members vote in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

d. Christ motions to instruct Planning Staff to notify the Chairman if the agenda changes at all before every meeting. Selig seconds the motion. All members vote in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

e. Selig mentions that he has in his possession, a hazardous spill study from Pump N Pantry if anyone is interested in viewing it.

f. Ceraldi feels that the Board's alternate just does not have enough time; it seems, to make the Board's meetings. Congdon mentions that according to the town's charter, if a member misses four meetings or more, they shall be replaced. Selig motions to send a letter to the Selectmen that they should consider appointing another alternate Planning Board member. Christ seconds. All members vote in favor of the motion. Motion passes.

g. Bishop tells the Board that he as requested that the MVPC send him aerial photographs of the town and they have agreed to send them.

6. Adjournment

Christ motions to adjourn. Selig seconds the motion. All members present vote in favor of the motion.

Meeting is adjourned at 9:02 p.m.