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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 02/07/2018 Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 3 February 7,2018 COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES DATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2018 TIME: 7:00 PM PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL 41 HIGHLAND AVENUE,COHASSET,MA 02025 Board Members Present: Clark H. Brewer, Chairman (CB) Brian Frazier, Clerk(BF) Associate Member Amy Glasmeier(AG) Board Members Absent: Michael Dickey,Vice-Chairman(MD) Erik Potter, (EP) Charles A. Samuelson(CS) Recording Secretary Present: Jennifer Brennan Oram CALLED TO ORDER AT: 7:09 P.M. Chairman Brewer called the meeting to order. He appointed Associate Member Glasmeier as a voting member this evening. The crowd exceeded the allowed capacity for the basement meeting room so the meeting was re-located to the Town Hall Auditorium. Signs were posted on both Town Hall Doors and on the hallway whiteboard. 7:10 P.M. 2 SMITH PLACE,VILLAGE BUSINESS DISTRICT SPECIAL PERMIT AND SITE PLAN REVIEW—APPLICANT—2 SMITH PLACE REALTY DEVELOPMENT,LLC In attendance to represent agenda item: Greg Morse, Morse Engineering, Attorney Richard Henderson and Landowner,John Tedeschi. Materials and documents submitted,utilized at this meeting(On file in Planning Board Office): • Site Plan and Special Permit Application date stamped January 11,2018 • Proposed Site Plan prepared by Morse Engineering, dated 12/19/17 and date stamped January 11,2018 • Architectural Drawings date stamped January 11,2018 • Comments from Boards and Committees: Board of Health — No Comment, Conservation Commission — Comments on File, DPW—Comments on File, Sewer Commission—Comments on File,Water Department —Comments on File, Police Department—Comments on File,Fire Department Comments on File • Letters from Residents: Letter from Tricia Corcoran, 2 Cushing Road, dated January 31, 2018; Letter from Melissa Mendenhall & Christopher Plecs, 17 Pleasant Street, dated February 5, 2018; Letter from Jennifer and Stephen Casey, 38 Smith Place, dated February 6,2018; Letter from Will and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick,48 Smith Place, dated February 7, 2018 and an email from Will Kirkpatrick,48 Smith Place, dated February 9, 2018. Chairman Brewer reviewed the application that had been submitted to the Board and gave some history to the Village Business District Bylaw; the overlay district this application has been filed under. He explained that the bylaw was passed over eleven years ago and then we entered into a very bad economy. Now that the economy is better, we are beginning to see applications come before the Board. The application before the Board now is deficient in regard to plans etc. The applicant is aware of this and will be updating the application and the plans for upcoming meetings. This is the first hearing and it will be continued. The Chairman explained the public hearing process to the crowd of over seventy (70)people. It should be noted that the lighting and the acoustics in this room are difficult at best. Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 3 February 7,2018 Attorney Henderson addressed the Board and advised that he represents the developers and that Greg Morse of Morse Engineering would be reviewing the project for the Board. Mr. Morse reviewed the history of the parcel and its topography. In 2005-2006, another project consisting of contractor bays was approved on this site, but it was never built. The present owners purchased the property around the time of that approval. The project they are proposing today would be one building with 23 units consisting of 5 one (1)bedroom units and 18 two(2)bedroom units. They have also proposed a one story garage. They have submitted architectural renderings, but are looking for input tonight so they can take that input and come back before the Board in 6-8 weeks with an updated proposal. Access to the property would be via Smith Place. The property would be serviced by Electric, Sewer and Water. They will require two water services. The property is traversed by the James Brook Culvert that empties into the harbor. They are proposing a series of catch basins etc. for the property. They also will be proposing screening on each side of the property. Their next step is to go back before the Conservation Commission on March 1St. Mr. Morse added that they do understand there are issues with the proposed project and with the lack of a proposed commercial component. They are working on that and they have hired an Architect. Chairman Brewer stated that they need to focus on the Design Guidelines and the Zoning Bylaw;these sections cannot be waived. Chairman Brewer stated that the site is a complex site and that this is a process that takes time. As submitted now, the project is not approvable. The Board wants to see the applicant create an approvable project. The Board has received letters from abutters and the letters make good points. The Chairman opened the hearing up for public comment. Ms. Wendy J. Mazer of 22 Smith Place addressed the Board. She is the most direct abutter and asked what the exact distance is from her house to the proposed project. Chairman Brewer said that in reality, the entire project is going to be re-designed, but he does understand her concerns. Mary Duggan Gilbert of 38 Reservoir Road asked what kind of recreational land will be put on the site and where will they store recreational items. She is also concerned about the safety of the children near the train tracks. Mr. Patrick Gable of 7 Cushing Road expressed concern about when the project is built, will it be similar to 8 James Lane where that project started and then stopped. Mr. Kenneth Leahy of 8 Pratt Court asked if the Board has looked at traffic flow. Chairman Brewer said a traffic study will be a good idea once it is known where the access point to the property will be. Mr. Steven R. Hadfield of 8 Cushing Road expressed concern over the amount of traffic that already exists and would increase with the development. Melissa Mendenhall of 17 Pleasant Street stated that there seemed to be an inconsistency of where the business districts are in Town. Chairman Brewer explained that different districts have different areas. This parcel is in the Village District section and a commercial component and is required. Ms. Colleen Leahy of 8 Pratt Court stated that it was her understanding that their drinking water came from James Brook. Water Commissioner, Leonora Jenkins, was in the audience and addressed this question. She stated that the water does not come from James Brook,their water comes from a combination of the reservoir and well fields. Chairman Brewer asked to close public comment and move onto the Planning Board Engineer, John Modelewski's comment letter. Members of the audience were upset that they could not continue making comment. It was explained that future meetings would occur and an effort to describe the public hearing process was made. Mr. Modelewski reviewed his letter dated February 5,2018. In his letter,he raised many issues that the applicant needs to address in their next iteration of the project, including the following: a commercial component, substantiation of the drainage design with actual drainage calculations and a resolution to the location of the James Brook Culvert. He wants more information provided about emergency vehicle turnaround and access and they need to look hard at the impact of this project on Pleasant Street, Cushing Road and Smith Place. The architectural plans also need a lot of work. Planning Board member,Brian Frazier, stated the applicant needs to listen to the neighbors and abutters and look at the area and determine if that many units are necessary. Associate Member Glasmeier stated it would be in the applicant's best interest to meet with the neighbors and the community. The Director of Planning, Peter Matchak, addressed the group and said that he wanted to make it clear that the public hearing will be continued and everyone is welcome to attend. He encouraged attendees to come by and look at the new proposal [once submitted] so that further public comment can be taken. Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 3 of 3 February 7,2018 MOTION: By Member Frazier to continue the public hearing to April 11,2018 at 7:00 PM at Willcutt Commons. SECOND: Member Glasmeier VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,BF and AG) 8:45 P.M. 8 JAMES LANE—MINOR SITE PLAN MODIFICATION DISCUSSION In attendance to represent agenda item: Project Manager,Paul Sullivan Materials and documents submitted,utilized at this meeting(On file in Planning Board Office): • Plans and letter dated January 19,2018 The Board and the applicants discussed the height of the third building. They are requesting to raise the height of the third building by approximately 5 feet. The Board would like to have the Town Engineer review it and determine if this would be minor or major modification. The applicants stated they had notified all of the abutters of this meeting tonight. No one was present to speak on this agenda item. They will place them on the Board's next agenda. 8:50 ADMINISTRATION • VOTE TO APPROVE JANUARY 24,2018 MEETING MINUTES MOTION: By Member Frazier to approve the January 24,2018 meeting minutes SECOND: Associate Member Glasmeier VOTE: 3 - 0 MOTION CARRIES • VOTE TO APPROVE PAYROLL FOR PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 4,2018 MOTION: By Member Frazier to approve the payroll for period ending February 4,2018 SECOND: Associate Member Glasmeier VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES • VOTE TO RATIFY C.BREWER SIGNATURE ON INVOICES: No invoices • PUBLIC COMMENT (5 MINUTES MAXIMUM) - None • TOPICS NOT RASONABLY ANTICIPATED BY THE CHAIR 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING - None MOTION: By Member Frazier to adjourn 9:00 P.M. SECOND: Associate Member Glasmeier VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES NEXT PLANNING BOARD MEETING: MARCH 7, 2017 AT 7:00 PM MINUTES APPROVED: May 16,2018 DATE: SEPTEMBER 6,2017