The Raynham Planning Board held its regular meeting of February 14, 2008, at Raynham Veteran’s Memorial Town Hall.
Board members present: Burke Fountain, Chris Gallagher, John Canto, Henry Ellis.
Board members not present: Daniel Andrade
Staff present: Administrative Assistant Maureen McKenney,
6:20 p.m. – Mr. Fountain called the meeting to order.
General Business: Invoice from Town of Raynham Highway Department for snowplowing / sanding services at Kings Estates (located off King Street) was received and discussed. After discussion, Board members agreed to pay the invoice and advise applicant / developer Nick Mirrione that unless he provides the snowplowing and sanding services to the subdivision, the Town will continue to plow and also inform him the snowplow / road account must be replenished.
Invoice from Nitsch Engineering for review services for Massasoit Greyhound Definitive Subdivision plan was received and discussed. During discussion, it was noted the previous bill for Massasoit was over $3,000 and this bill is over $800. After discussion, it was agreed to request this bill and future bills from Nitsch Engineering be itemized.
6:30 p.m. – Dunkin’ Donuts, 1701 Broadway, Site Plan Modification: Craig Horsfall, P.E., Hayward-Boynton & Williams, presented the modified plan to the Board. Mr. Horsfall noted he was at a previous Board meeting to discuss the plan and he is now returning with the finalized changes. Review Memorandum, dated February 6, 2008, was received from Nitsch Engineering. Letter dated January 16, 2008 was received from Hayward-Boynton & Williams.
Board members and Mr. Horsfall discussed the flow of the traffic on site and the fact that truck drivers have been parking their trucks on Broadway and walking into the site rather than parking on site. Mr. Horsfall noted the drivers doing that are not delivering to the business but rather they are customers and he can not control that situation. Mr. Fountain noted there was a similar situation occurring on Rte. 44 with deliveries to auto dealerships and a threat to not renew dealership licenses took care of the situation.
Mr. Horsfall continued reviewing the plan. He noted additional parking spaces are proposed on the northerly side of the site, a pedestrian walkway will be relocated away from the building, an island and fencing will be added at the drive-through area, dedicated truck parking spaces will be removed and the loading area will remain the same. During discussion, Mr. Fountain noted that because of Title 5 and septic mounding, the building is five feet higher than the Board originally approved and this additional height is causing problems.
The matter was recessed so the original site plan could be retrieved for the Board.
6:36 p.m. – Jess Marie Estates Special Permit Public Hearing was reconvened: Applicant/developer Mike Peterson, Easton, MA, appeared before the Board. Mr. Peterson noted he is reapplying for this special permit for Jess Marie Estates Open Space Subdivision because the previously granted special permit expired. He informed the Board the plan being presented now is the exact same plan as previously approved. He noted he has not proceeded with building the subdivision because he has other projects to complete and because the housing market has not been good.
Board members and Mr. Peterson discussed the easement shown on the plan. It was noted the easement is not needed now but it has not been taken off because to do so would be changing the plan therefore it was kept on the plan. Mr. Fountain noted the easement was to benefit his family but his family has since sold their land so the easement is no longer relevant. It was also noted that Raynham Center Water District will be getting approximately 11 acres that is shown as open space on the plan.
Mr. Peterson then submitted a written request for reduction in the filing fee.
After discussion, Mr. Fountain moved to grant the special permit subject to wording being placed on the mylar copy of the plan before endorsement stating there have been no changes to the plan since the Board’s July 16, 2003 approval; second by Mr. Ellis; motion passed by unanimous vote.
Fee reduction was discussed. Mr. Peterson noted he submitted $1,700 in filing fees. Mr. Gallagher stated that in lieu of the RCWD benefiting from the open space, he was agreeable to a refund. After discussion, Mr. Fountain moved to refund $1,200 of the fee; second by Mr. Ellis; motion passed by unanimous vote.
6:51 p.m. – Value Place Hotel Site Plan Public Hearing was opened. Mr. Gallagher read the public hearing notice. Mr. Fountain announced a letter dated February 14, 2008 was received from Walter J. Eutize, Value Place LLC, requesting a continuance of the public hearing. After discussion, the public hearing was continued to February 28, 2008, 7 p.m. No testimony was taken.
The Board discussed a public hearing notice from the ZBA regarding a petition submitted by Value Place Hotel. It was noted Value Place has requested the ZBA modify the variance granted for the hotel by removing the condition of approval that requires traffic signals to be operational before the hotel is occupied. After discussion, the Board agreed to forward a letter to the ZBA informing them the Planning Board is opposed to the petition request because they believe the traffic signals are needed for public safety.
7:00 p.m. – Dunkin’ Donuts, 1701 Broadway, Site Plan Modification was reconvened. The original site plan was reviewed. There was discussion about the truck parking spaces; it was noted the spaces are 55 feet long to accommodate trucks.
Mr. Horsfall advised the Board there is an adequate loading zone being provided but sometimes the trucks choose not to use it. He noted the new plan should alleviate some of the space issues on the site with the relocation of some parking area.
Mr. Canto informed that there are cars stacking up onto Rte. 138 and that some delivery trucks back up into the site instead of entering into it. He noted he has seen these things happen at all times of day. He suggested that cutting the entrance radius back might alleviate some of the problem. Mr. William Korske, Raynham, MA, general manager of the facility, informed the Board the owner, Fred Lincoln, is trying to alleviate the drive-up stacking problem and the parking concerns. He noted that at times people cannot park in some of the designated spots so they stay in the drive-through lane for coffee or they leave the site.
Mr. Horsfall noted a fence has been added at the front of the building to force people to use the proposed new walkway.
Mr. Canto suggested angling some of the parking spaces. Board members discussed angling the spaces and also the designated employee parking area. The Board and Mr. Korske discussed ways to eliminate trucks backing into the site instead of entering as they should. Mr. Fountain noted that delivery trucks backing into the site against traffic is not acceptable. Mr. Korske stated they try to make the deliveries in off-peak hours.
After discussion, the Board suggested that traffic cones be placed in the southerly parking area about a half hour before scheduled deliveries in order to accommodate the trucks entering the site and to make it easier for them to enter the parking lot.
After discussion, it was agreed the parking spaces on the north and south side will be angled, employee parking will be to the rear of the site, directional signage will be added and a note will be placed on the plan regarding the traffic cones for deliveries. The matter was continued to February 28, 2008, 7 p.m.
General Business: Minutes of February 14, 2008 were received. Mr. Fountain moved to waive the reading and approve the minutes as submitted; second by Mr. Ellis. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Mr. Gallagher signed the minutes.
Letter dated February 1, 2008 was received from Peter D. LaMountain, President, LaMountain Bros., Inc., requesting release of surety funds being held for Hess Rte. 138 Service Station site plan. Mr. Canto stated there are still outstanding issues with the lights at Hess and there are still lights that need to be shielded. After discussion, the Board agreed to send a letter to Mr. LaMountain advising him of the issues and that he should contact Hess to resolve the matter further. The Board agreed it is their responsibility to determine if the site plan is completed properly before any surety funds are released and it is between Hess and Mr. LaMountain to resolve the matter of whose responsibility it is to complete the work.
Project review invoices were discussed. After discussion, it was agreed that some of the project review bills seem excessive and that Nitsch Engineering will be reminded to itemize their invoices.
There was no further business and the meeting ended at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher J. Gallagher, Clerk
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