Planning Board meeting
Planning Board Meeting
May 16, 2019
Board members present: Daniel Andrade, Burke Fountain, Russell Driscoll, John Teixeira,
Board members absent: Christopher Gallagher
Also present: Maureen McKenney, Administrative Assistant
6:05 p.m. – Mr. Andrade opened the meeting and announced it was being audio and video recorded.
6:06 p.m. Greystone Estates (corner of Forest and Locust Streets): Public hearing reconvened. Frank Gallagher, P.E., Foxboro, MA, appeared before the Board along with applicant Marcus Baptiste, Berkley, MA. Mr. Gallagher submitted a new concept plan and explained the revisions: subdivision road is off Forest Street; there is now a cul-de-sac rather than a hammerhead design; the three subdivision houses have a more conventional spread; there is an estate lot off Locust Street that uses the existing gravel driveway; another future estate lot could be accessed either by the subdivision roadway or separately off Forest Street; the lot sizes exceed zoning requirements; a waiver will be needed for the design of the cul-de-sac. Mr. Andrade noted there is a list of waivers requested but this plan is better.
Mr. Gallagher explained there is a swale along the roadway; a retention basin is provided for storm water; the basin is located as far from Parkwood Drive as possible; the three-lot subdivision is not mandated by DEP regulations but this plan meets requirements. A 30-ft. no-cut/ “scenic” easement is shown adjacent to rear of Parkwood Drive properties, which gives access to the State Forest.
Mr. Driscoll questioned why the Locust Street lot also has Forest Street frontage. There was discussion on whether or not the lot is grandfathered as a retreat lot. Mr. Andrade believed Mr. Iafrate stated at the last meeting that it was. Mr. Fountain stated he prefers the easement be labeled a “no-cut” rather than “scenic.”
Mr. Gallagher explained the grass swale and the catch basin. Mr. Fountain asked where the water will be going. Mr. Gallagher said that is not totally defined yet. Mr. Teixeira asked if the long driveway for Lot 4 is optional; Mr. Gallagher stated yes. Mr. Baptiste explained that after reading the zoning by-law, he believes a variance would be needed to access the estate lot from the subdivision roadway; that’s not his preference but he would consider going for a variance. Mr. Fountain and Mr. Teixeira preferred the drive off the subdivision road. Mr. Baptiste noted the new plan meets the estate lot criteria as shown and keeps the estate lots separate from the three subdivision lots.
Mr. Andrade noted the plan has five houses on a 20-ft. road with 2-ft. shoulders on each side without drainage and a lesser cul-de-sac is provided so he prefers the subdivision road for just three lots. Mr. Fountain noted the person owning that lot will decide which way to access; Mr. Andrade disagreed. Mr. Gallagher noted the intent of the driveway as shown is to service the estate lot. Mr. Andrade advised to remove from the plan the shorter driveway shown coming off the subdivision road if there is to be a retreat lot; he wants street trees on both sides of the roadway. The Board agreed the subdivision road will
be for three lots or variances will be needed. Mr. Fountain said he would support variances; Mr. Andrade will think about it.
The no-cut easement was discussed. Mr. Gallagher explained the easement provides needed area to the Form A lots on Forest Street. Mr. Baptiste agreed the easement can be “no-touch” with no clearing or cutting done, which will provide buffer to Parkwood lots. The proposed walking path will be eliminated. It was agreed the type of street trees being provided will be shown on the plan.
Mr. Andrade discussed his concern that there is much road for only one basin. Mr. Gallagher is considering an under drain system and will work on that. It was noted the plan says Tomlin Estates; that will be corrected. Mr. Andrade said the plan looks good.
Public comments: Steve Beddia, 9 Parkwood Drive, said he likes what he sees; likes the buffer; one driveway off Locust Street is good. He questioned if the two Form A lots shown are squared. Mr. Baptiste explained they reshaped the lots to provide more area to the subdivision and estate lots but the easement strip shown will have no effect on Parkwood houses or yards. It was agreed a new ANR plan is needed before the new houses are sold.
Mr. Andrade asked if Mr. Baptiste’s partner, owner of the street lots, can provide trees near 9 Parkwood Drive. Mr. Baptiste agreed to provide four or five trees; he will confer with the property owner on location.
Marilyn Belanger, Locust Street: Her property abuts the State forest; she is concerned with drainage and overflow going to the forest. Mr. Andrade explained the plan is designed for a 100 year storm and no overflow will go towards her property.
Mr. Gallagher asked if he should file for special permits for the estate lots concurrent with the subdivision plan. The Board agreed he should. Mr. Baptiste noted they will be seeking two special permits for estate lots, new ANR plan for house lots; variance if the estate lot driveway is off the subdivision roadway although he thinks that will not be the case. Mr. Andrade prefers the driveway off the subdivision road but is concerned with future plans.
Mr. Baptiste said he believes all the houses are spread out enough. He asked if the Board is comfortable with the design to he can move forward. Mr. Andrade was okay with that. It was noted the plan was reviewed by Nitsch and they will now review drainage calcs but not the items that are being waived. Soils tests were done and will be on the new plan. Everything will be submitted to Nitsch, including waiver list. Mr. Andrade said he or Mr. Iafrate will talk to Nitsch.
There were no further comments or questions. The public hearing was continued to June 20th at 6:05 p.m.
6:48 p.m. Children’s Development Center/366 South Main Street: Public hearing was reconvened. Mr. Driscoll read the hearing notice to open the special permit/parking reduction hearing.
Correspondence dated May 16, 2019, was received from Tracy Duarte, P.E., requesting a continuation. Time-to-act on the site plan is June 30th. It was agreed to continue the hearings to June 6th at 6:15 p.m.
6:52 p.m. Raynham Preserve Open-space Subdivision: Evan Watson, P.E., Prime Engineering, was present to request a continuance. Time-to-act extension on the plan was granted to July 30th. Mr. Andrade moved to continue to June 6th at 6:20 p.m.; second Mr. Teixeira. Unanimous vote (4-0-0).
6:54 p.m. Raynham Riverwalk Adult Retirement Community: Mr. Fountain read letter dated May 15, 2019, from Ryan Prophett, Esq., requesting a continuance to June 6th. Time-to-act on the plan is July 18th. Mr. Fountain moved to continue the hearing to June 6th at 6:30 p.m.; second Mr. Teixeira. Motion approved three in favor with Mr. Andrade abstaining.
General Business:
- No invoices to sign.
- Mr. Fountain moved to waive the reading and approve the minutes of April 18, 2019; second Mr. Teixeira. Unanimous vote to approve (4-0-0).
- No correspondence was received.
Planner update: None tonight (Mr. Iafrate was absent.)
SRPEDD update:
- The hours allotted to the Board and the Selectmen are no longer available for updating the Board’s regulations because the request was not made within the proper time frame and there is no more funding. Board members were unaware of the time limitation to apply for the hours.
- There is an article on Town Meeting warrant for $70,000 for updating the Master Plan.
- The State has a program that offers assistance similar to SRPEDD. The Board can submit a form by December to be a part of it. This would be separate from the 40 hours allotted to the Town by SRPEDD.
Mr. Andrade discussed the need to update the Board’s rules and regulations. He wants to discuss with Mr. Iafrate and Nitsch and suggested each member write down their concerns and proposed changes. Matter will be scheduled for discussion on June 20th. Mr. Andrade noted the Board’s consultant from Nitsch used to attend meetings in the past but no longer does that. He wants Nitsch to attend public hearings for subdivisions to avoid conflicts and potentially “speed up” the process. It was agreed to have Nitsch attend on June 20th after the last public hearing to discuss matters.
There was discussion on hiring a recording secretary to prepare minutes. Mr. Andrade moved to approve the hiring; second Mr. Teixeira. Unanimous vote to approve (4-0-0.)
There was no further business. Mr. Andrade moved to adjourn; second Mr. Teixeira. Unanimous vote (4-0-0). The meeting adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Russell Driscoll, Clerk