The Raynham Planning Board held a meeting on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at Raynham Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall. Chairman Daniel Andrade opened the meeting at 6:04 p. m.
Board members present: Daniel Andrade, Burke Fountain, Chris Gallagher, Henry Ellis and Russell Driscoll
Board members not present: (all present)
Staff present: Marilyn Whalley, Town Planner, Maureen McKenney, Administrative Assistant
6:05 p. m. - Barrett Johnson/South Main Street Definitive Subdivision Plan: Attorney Edmund Brennan, Taunton, MA, appeared before the Board on behalf of applicant Barrett Johnson. Attorney Brennan explained that the waivers approved by the Board were incorrectly listed on the plan. He noted the corrected waivers have been listed on the plan and a reference to the Certificate of Action was added to the plan. Attorney Brennan informed the Board that procedurally the Board can add to the Certificate of Action without affecting the Board’s original vote to approve the plan.
Letter dated September 15, 2009 was received from James Januse, Raynham Fire Chief, stating the name Barrett’s Way was acceptable to the fire department. Mr. Fountain said he prefers the plan have a South Main Street address. Mr. Gallagher noted the Building Commissioner will issue assign a street number when a building permit is obtained. Mr. Fountain stated the Board wants South Main Street as the official address.
Mr. Fountain moved to amend the Certificate of Action for Barrett Johnson/South Main Street definitive subdivision plan with the condition that the proposed house have a South Main Street address and to also grant the waivers as correctly set forth on sheet 2 of 3 of the approved plan, revised date of September 22, 2009; second by Mr. Ellis; motion approved four in favor and Mr. Andrade abstaining.
6:16 p. m. - Public hearing for Ryan Iron site plan was opened. Correspondence dated September 22, 2009, was received from Shane M. Oates, Coneco Engineers & Scientists, requesting a continuance of the public hearing to October 8, 2009. The public hearing was continued to October 8, 2009, 6:15 p. m.
6:17 p. m. - Roger's Way (located off North Main Street) – Attorney David Gay, Taunton, MA, appeared before the Board along with Attorney William Manganiello, Taunton, MA, and Michael Rogers, Raynham, MA, to discuss the status of Roger’s Way and to present ideas for development of a portion of the roadway.
Attorney Gay explained to the Board that Roger's Way is paved to a point past the second house on the roadway, which is owned by Cairns, and beyond that point a gate blocking further access is located. He explained the property past Cairns’ land is owned by Mill Pond Realty Trust. Attorney Gay noted the owner is seeking to construct one single-family house on a lot containing 38. acres of land with 32 acres of the property to remain conservation land.
Attorney Manganiello explained that part of the remaining 32 acres of conservation land could be used as part of a swap for APR land at Borden Colony.
During discussion with Attorney Gay, it was noted the gate on Roger’s Way was relocated from its originally approved location with the Planning Board’s approval. It was also noted a variance for this Roger’s Way property was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
Attorney Gay explained there are two possibilities for developing the property, either by improving the entire road to Town acceptance standard or create a one-lot subdivision and improve the road to the subdivision to provide access. He noted part of Roger’s Way has been accepted as a Town road.
Mr. Ellis noted input from the fire department will be needed. Attorney Manganiello stated he met with the police department and the fire department who both agreed there was sufficient access to the site, and they have no concerns.
Mr. Gallagher noted there is a long history of Roger’s Way, part of which it is used as an emergency access to the schools. He noted the road would be improved to a length of 150 feet by the plan.
Mr. Andrade stated he wants the road improved to the property line, including the whole frontage and not just to the driveway as earlier proposed.
Attorney Gay noted the Conservation Commission is concerned with asphalt going all the way to the end of the property but they approve of it going to the currently graveled section.
Access to conservation land was discussed. Attorney Manganiello noted Wildlife Heritage does not want public access. During discussion, it was noted the Town would gain by the land swap for APR land at Borden Colony. Attorney Manganiello noted the Town would have an access easement for the dam at the rear of the conservation land. It was also noted that if Roger's Way were to be further developed in the future, it would be at the Town's expense.
Mr. Andrade noted the owner has a right to submit a subdivision plan if there is access. Mr. Gallagher said he preferred a private subdivision to a Town road.
Attorney Manganiello noted the Town currently maintains Roger’s Way up to the gate, including the plowing.
Discussion concluded, and no action was taken by the Board.
6:40 p. m. – Discussion of Pine Street rezoning: Denise O'Donnell, Pine Street, appeared before the Board to discuss her property, which is zoned industrial. She explained she would like to keep the industrial zoning designation but would like the industrial designation to also allow single-family residential houses on lots with an industrial use.
Mr. Fountain stated he thought it would be a good idea for trades’ people to have locations where they can conduct their business and where they can also reside. Ms. O'Donnell and Mr. Fountain both agreed that sites utilizing large trucks were not an appropriate use for Pine Street.
Mr. Andrade stated he agreed Pine Street should not be industrial. Mr. Ellis noted the industrial zone is needed for adult entertainment purposes. During discussion, it was noted any rezoning must be done as to not alter all the industrial districts in town. After discussion, it was agreed Ms. O'Donnell will work with the Town Planner on a rezoning plan.
6:55 p. m. - Town Planner update: Mrs. Whalley informed the Board that she met with developer Doug King regarding his property on South Street East, and Mr. King inquired about swapping Phase II and Phase III of his approved 40B project to an adjacent piece of land for a nature conservancy. Mr. King is seeking to swap the density of the 40B project to an adjacent 20acres. Mrs. Whalley noted she is trying to determine if Mr. King's approved 40B is still valid. She noted there is a high appraised value on the land because of the 40B project. She noted if the 40B is not valid, there is no need for the density to be swapped between parcels.
Mrs. Whalley informed the Board she met with the Selectmen regarding a $25,000 technical assistance grant from SRPEDD that may be available to the Town relating to the commuter rail project. She explained the State envisions a Transportation Oriented Development of approximately 400 to 600 housing units with little retail use at the dog track site. She noted the SRPEDD grant can be used to determine how the commuter rail will affect traffic safety and other issues in the area. The Board and Mrs. Whalley briefly discussed zoning along Broadway. After discussion, the Board stated they were agreeable to applying to the grant funds.
Copy of correspondence dated September 23, 2009, from the Raynham Housing Authority to Mrs. Whalley was received. Mrs. Whalley explained the Housing Authority is asking that the Planning Board allocate funds from the Carriage Hill estates special permit account to be used to cover costs related to a feasibility and conceptual study for additional senior housing at Weonit Woods, Mill Street.
The Board and Mrs. Whalley discussed the matter. After discussion, Mr. Fountain moved the Board approve up to a limit of $30,000 from the Carriage Hill Estates special permit account be used towards a feasibility study for senior housing; second by Mr. Gallagher; motion passed by unanimous vote.
General Business: Mr. Fountain moved to waive the reading of the August 27, 2009 minutes and accept as submitted; second by Mr. Gallagher; motion to approve passed by unanimous vote.
Letter dated September 8, 2009, was received from Dennis Machado, Raynham Building Commissioner, regarding location of the driveway at 87 Princess Lane. The Board discussed the correspondence. No action was taken.
Copy of e-mail correspondence, dated September 24, 2009, was received from John Schmid, Nitsch Engineering, updating on the status of Carriage Hill Estates. Mr. Schmid advised the Board there were several outstanding items still to be completed at the subdivision.
Mrs. Whalley stated Carriage Hill does not seem ready for Town acceptance. She noted Whippoorwill Estates is further along towards acceptance. She also noted the stone wall that was of concern to the Board will be reconstructed by the developer.
After discussion, the Board agreed that Nitsch Engineering should check with Mr. Gallagher at the Sewer Department for possible outstanding sewer issues before roads are accepted at Town Meeting.
Letter dated September 24, 2009, regarding Kings Estates, was received from Bristol County Savings Bank. After discussion, the Board agreed Mr. Gallagher would visit the site to inspect the roads.
Copies of letters dated September 24, 2009, from Attorney Robert Shelmerdine to Board of Selectmen re. Town acceptance of roads in Whippoorwill Estates and Carriage Hill were received. No action taken.
Discussion of Carriage Hill project review account was discussed. After discussion, the Board instructed that the applicant be asked to submit $5,000 to replenish the account plus the amount of an outstanding invoice.
There was no further business, and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:30 p. m.
Christopher J. Gallagher, Clerk
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