Planning Board
Planning Board Meeting
February 21, 2019
Meeting opened: 6 p.m. by Christopher Gallagher, Chairman
Board members present: Christopher Gallagher, Burke Fountain,
Daniel Andrade, Russell Driscoll, John Teixeira
Board members absent: (none)
Also present: Robert Iafrate, Planning Coordinator
Maureen McKenney, Administrative Assistant
6 p.m. – Mr. Gallagher opened the meeting and announced it was being audio and video recorded.
6:01 p.m. Form A – 60 River Street/Melville: Plan was received for land with frontage on River Street and Riverbrook Drive. Proper paperwork and fee were received. The property is 100,000 sq. ft. and will be divided into two lots that conform to zoning. It was agreed that no water and sewer easement is needed. Property owner Catherine Melville was present. She informed the Board that there is water and there is a sewer stub to tie both lots into.
Mr. Fountain moved to approve “A Form A Plan in Raynham, MA for Catherine B. Melville, Tr.,” dated January 28, 2019, prepared by Senna Fitzgerald Gilbert Associates, Lakeville, MA, as an Approval Not Required plan; second Mr. Driscoll. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Mr. Andrade abstained.) Mr. Driscoll signed the plan.
6:06 p.m. Form A – Park Place: (The plan was taken out of agenda order). Dan Holmes, P.E., Tighe and Bond, and Rob Carey, Superintendent, Raynham Sewer Department, were present. It was noted that Cranberry Ridge Condominiums owns the property; all buildings on site are shown; the approved plan will be taken to Town Meeting for vote to take the land for a pump station.
Mr. Andrade moved to approve “Plan of Property Taking To Be Acquired For Proposed Park Place Pump Station Town Of Raynham, Massachusetts (Bristol County),” dated October 2018, prepared by Reed Land Surveying, Inc., Lakeville, MA; second Mr. Fountain. Unanimous vote to approve (5-0-0).
Mr. Driscoll signed the plan.
6:10 p.m. – 295 New State Highway site plan: The public hearing was opened. Mr. Driscoll read the hearing notice. Mr. Gallagher explained the meeting format for presentation and questions. He noted a review letter was received from Nitsch Engineering and it is lengthy and repetitive. He feels the Board’s regulations should be updated to avoid repetitive issues. Mr. Iafrate will look into.
Nick Dufresne, P.E., Farland Corp, New Bedford, MA, explained the plan: 295 New State Highway is on the south side of Rte. 44; the lot is one acre and zoned business; the residential use was abandoned; to the west of the site is Hibachi Restaurant and Rockland Trust; Honey Dew plaza is to the east; and, site is almost directly across from Shaw’s. Topography slopes quickly to the Taunton River; Town of Raynham sewer easement is to the back; the site is wooded. The applicant/owner is Hanoush Jewelers and will be relocating to Raynham.
The building is 5,200 sq. ft.; 3,600 sq. ft. is jewelry store and 1,600 sq. ft. is tenant space. Thirty-one parking spaces are required, 35 are provided including two handicap spaces; dumpster area is to the rear; and, a landscape plan is provided.
Mr. Dufresne said he is working with Nitsch to resolve issues. He discussed the grading/utilities plan and the drainage system; existing water service will be used and there will be sewer. There will be a retaining wall around the parking area for topography, to minimize fill and to help keep the natural buffer. The plan has been through Con Com and has an Order of Conditions. The new business will benefit residents and will be an improvement to the neglected property.
Mr. Gallagher advised Mr. Dufresne to continue working with Nitsch. He noted there is a list of requested waivers; any approval from Mass DOT will not hold up the Board’s approval; the plan is a great use for the site; and, a lot of the comments from Nitsch involve issues that are “waiveable.”
Mr. Andrade noted the building is under the 7,500 sq. ft. requirement for sprinklers so he wants a fire access drive. Site deliveries were discussed – they will probably be made to the rear and box trucks can fit in the parking spaces. The site tenant is undetermined. Mr. Andrade suggested widening some spaces for deliveries as he is concerned with deliveries for the 1,600 sq. ft. tenant space.
Mr. Iafrate said he received an e-mail from Deputy Fire Chief, who had stated at a review meeting that he wanted access on at least three building sides so the fire lane is a good idea. Also, the Deputy is concerned with the access throat opening. Mr. Dufresne noted there has been a discussion with the adjacent property owner about connecting sites. Mr. Iafrate said he is talking about access with the restaurant site. It was agreed that issue can’t be forced but there could be discussion.
It was agreed Mr. Dufresne will get confirmation from the fire department on the fire lane issue.
Also, there will be about 6.5 feet of fill per the Order of Conditions. There will be guardrails. It was agreed that a chain link fence at the dumpster area is okay. Mr. Andrade noted the biggest waiver request is for the 3 ft. landscape strip along the foundation, but he is okay with it after seeing the building rendering. The issue of bollards and/or wheel stops was discussed. It was agreed bollards with lights at the side and rear would be good. A photometric plan will be provided.
Mr. Andrade feels trees in the parking lot will ruin the layout; he suggested either a waiver request or a stamped plan showing the plantings. Mr. Dufresne noted four trees are proposed and Nitsch has agreed to the trees or the waiver request. Wall packs are being used on the building and will be shown on the photometric plan.
Mr. Dufresne explained he has discussed the drainage with Nitsch and will provide information on the plan. The proposed signage is on the plan.
Mr. Gallagher stated the locus map should not be USGS map. He informed that his aunt used to own the property but ownership was transferred and he had no interest in it.
Mr. Teixeira asked that signs be shown on the plan. He noted Mass. DOT may comment on the plan.
Snow storage was discussed; an area is not designated yet but it may be off the parking area or hauled away. Mr. Andrade advised not to take up parking spaces. Mr. Dufresne stated ConCom has told applicant not to use the graveled fire access area because of sediment and salt.
The building is set back 55.5 ft., which exceeds the 45 feet zoning requirement. It was noted the building rendering shown tonight is close to the actual building planned. Mr. Fountain asked about vegetation at the street; there will be dense yews. There will be a lot of salt from the road so that will be taken into consideration for the type of plantings to be used. Mr. Gallagher advised Mr. Dufresne to go through the plan with Nitsch; a waiver letter should be submitted as well as a lighting plan.
Mr. Iafrate requested directional striping at the entrance. There will be concrete berm internally and granite at the entrance. Signs should meet regulations; waivers need to be put on the front sheet of the plan.
There were no comments from the public. After discussion, Mr. Gallagher moved to continue the hearing to March 7th, 6:15 p. m.; second Mr. Teixeira. Motion passed by unanimous vote. An extension of the Board’s time-to-act was signed to April 30, 2019.
6:58 p.m. – Raynham Riverwalk Adult Retirement Community (ARC): Letter dated February 21, 2019, was received from Attorney Ryan E. Prophett, Raynham, MA, requesting the hearing be continued to March 21, 2019. Mr. Gallagher moved to accept the request and continue; second Mr. Teixeira. Motion passed 4-0-1 (Mr. Andrade abstained).
7 p.m. Doe Run subdivision: The drainage revisions are not ready so the Board will not be discussing the issue tonight.
The surety bond for the subdivision was received. The word “none” was added as requested, and Town Counsel has approved the bond.
Michael Looney, 861 Pine Street, addressed the Board. He explained he was at the Board’s meeting two weeks ago to discuss the subdivision. At the time, there was a question of whether or not there would be sewer for the subdivision and he was told there would be septic. Mr. Gallagher said that issue is for the sewer and health departments. Mr. Andrade noted the original plan was approved for septic but he has heard they are trying to do sewer although he has no information on it. Mr. Looney said this is a concern of his. Mr. Andrade suggested he wait until the plan analysis is completed.
Mr. Gallagher said this matter is not on the agenda. Mr. Iafrate said the subdivision owner has gone to the highway department and is trying to solve the issue; it is moving forward but not finalized.
Mr. Looney said he received a letter saying sewer lines were going in. Mr. Gallagher said if the letter was from the Selectmen, Mr. Looney should talk to them. He advised that when the plan is ready, it will be on the agenda so Mr. Looney should check with the office or the website; there is nothing for tonight.
Mr. Looney said he has water on his property. Mr. Iafrate said the Highway Superintendent has to be satisfied before building at the subdivision can begin.
Mr. Andrade said the matter is being worked on. Mr. Looney asked what he can do. Mr. Fountain suggested hiring an attorney to take action because the Board can’t tell him more. Mr. Looney stated the water is destroying his property. Mr. Gallagher said to contact highway department. Mr. Iafrate advised to be patient, the matter is being worked on; the highway superintendent is working diligently. No action was taken.
General Business: Invoices were signed. There was correspondence. There were no plans to sign.
SRPEDD Update: None tonight.
Planner Update: None tonight.
Mr. Andrade requested the minutes of Doe Run hearings for the next meeting.
It was noted the letter from Church Street residents who have concerns with the Riverwalk ARC is in the process of getting signatures and will be dropped off at the office when ready.
There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at approximately 7:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Russell Driscoll, Clerk