HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 08/28/2019 Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 4
August 28,2019
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 28, 2019
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—BASMENT MEETING ROOM TOWN HALL
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE,COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Clark Brewer, Chairman
Erik Potter,Vice-Chairman
Paul Grady
Paul Colleary,Associate Member
Member Absent: Brian Frazier
Amy Glasmeier
Town Staff Present: Jennifer Oram,Assistant Director, Planning, Permits &Inspections
Chairman Clark Brewer called the meeting called to order at: 7:OOP.M.
PUBLIC HEARING—Pursuant to 000-5.4 of the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw for an application for a Large
House Review,filed by Tiffany and Paul Doyle. The subiect property was filed as 7 Haystack Lane. The
RGFA of the revised plan set is 5,522 square feet.
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Jeff Hassett of Morse Engineering
Documents used for this agenda item(on file in the Planning Board Office):
➢ Public Hearing Notice
➢ Application Dated August 1,2019
➢ Site Plan prepared by Morse Engineering and dated August 1,2019
➢ Architectural Plan Set prepared by Tiryaki Architectural Design,LLC
➢ Amended Site Plan date stamped August 21,2019
➢ Planting Plan prepared by Amy Martin Landscape Design date stamped August 21,2019
Comparison Study of Houses in the Vicinity
➢ Lighting tear sheets date stamped August 28,2019 Letter of support of the project from Ryan and
Maren Bradly of 17 Haystack Lane
➢ Letter of support of the project from Paul and Kaitlin Brophy of 35 Jerusalem Drive
Vice-Chairman Erik Potter read the Public Hearing notice aloud. Chairman Brewer asked if there was anyone
in the audience that wished to speak. There was no one present.
Mr. Hassett reviewed the Large House Review application for the Board. The home is owned by Tiffany and
Paul Doyle. The site slopes from the rear and is abutted by a residential property. They are proposing to
demolish the existing single-family home and add a new driveway. The proposed home will be rebuilt in
somewhat of the same location; and will be 700 square feet larger than the existing. The new driveway will be
at a different slope than the existing. There are conforming retaining walls on the property that are 4' in height.
The applicants also went before the Conservation Commission and received a Stormwater Permit. They will be
installing a mitigation system to address water runoff. For the landscaping,they have identified all of the
mature trees. In addition,Amy Martin prepared an extensive landscaping plan. This plan was already in place
prior to the filing of the Large Home review. There will be no flood flights on the property.
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 4
August 28,2019
The applicants submitted two letters of support and asked if the Board would like them to review the
architectural plans. Vice-Chairman Potter said that the package submitted was very extensive and it's his
opinion the packet addressed all the points that should be addressed in a hearing such as this. They have
addressed the lighting,the Stormwater and went above and beyond with their landscape plan. Chairman Brewer
agreed that this was a very thorough package. He added that the architectural design of the house is good with it
not being too high and it's well-proportioned. Associate Member Paul Colleary stated that he appreciated the
details submitted. Chairman Brewer asked once again if anyone in the audience wished to speak;there was still
no one present.
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to recommend the approval without conditions.
SECOND: Member Paul Grady
VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,PG& PC)
7:15 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING—Pursuant to 000-5.4 of the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw for an
application for a Large House Review,filed by Eames Capital Partners,LLC. The subject property was
filed as 14 Windy Hill Road. The RGFA of the revised plan set is 4,165 square feet(Continued from
August 14,2019).
Documents used for this hearing(on file in the Planning Board office):
➢ Letter requesting an extension request from Attorney Richard Henderson,
dated August 28,2019.
The applicants could not attend this evening and requested an extension.
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to continue this hearing to 7:15PM on Wednesday,September
18,2019.
SECOND: Member Paul Grady
VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP, PG& PC)
7:16 P.M. INFORMAL DISCUSSION—Status Update,390 Chief Justice Cushing Highway
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Attorney William Ohrenberger and Engineer, Jack O'Leary of
Vitceck
Documents used for this agenda item (on file in the Planning Board Office):
➢ Supplemental Plans prepared by Vertex and submitted on August 28,2019
Attorney Ohrenberger addressed the Board and reviewed why they are before the Board. They submitted on
August 1st to the Town's Engineer that addressed his issues. After some back and forth with the Town's
Engineer, and some changes,they are now proposing to move the building 19' closer to the Cook Estate and 5'
closer to Sohier Street. This will improve the turning radius for the trucks that deliver to Stop& Shop. The
main reason for the need to move the building is due to poor soil conditions on the site. Another issue they are
facing is a timing issue. It is their hope to get the project underway so that the rental units can count toward the
Town's SHI number.
Chairman Brewer stated that they are requesting a modification to the existing Site Plan approval. The first
thing the Board needs to do is determine if it's a minor or major modification. The Town's consultant stated
that he could consider the movement of the building minor. The other issue is the reduction in parking. The
Board has to confirm if it is OK with this. The parking that has been reduced still complies with zoning. One of
the issues the Board has is with timing;they just got the plans the day of the hearing. Chairman Brewer stated
that he hoped that they would be able to address all of the issues this evening,but they do not have
Modelewski's final review. Chairman Brewer suggested they break this review into two parts;the relocation of
the building and then the consequences of that move on other site plan issues. They could review the moving of
the building this evening and the other issues at another meeting.
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 3 of 4
August 28,2019
Chairman Brewer asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak. Ms. Alicia Babcock, of Eldridge Lane,
addressed the Board. She lives at the Cook Estate and is on their Board. The letter submitted to the Board
earlier this year stating that the Cook Estate was in favor of the movement of the building was not accurate. She
sits on that Board and has concerns. She expressed concerns about height etc. and asked if the Board could look
into visual impact studies. Chairman Brewer explained that the Site Plan and the building were approved long
ago. The height conforms with zoning. The applicants have also agreed to extensive screening on the Cook
Estate side of the site. Mr. Paul Kierce,Vice-Chairman of the Elder Affairs Board, stated that he thought that
these were good questions but should be handled in a different venue. He stated the owner will be conducting
an outreach program to address these issues. Pam Fahey, Cohasset's Health Agent, asked the Board to confirm
that Mr. Modelewski be aware that there are still questions regarding the septic system on the site. They are
awaiting information from the DER Attorney Ohrenberger added that they are also aware of this issue.
Chairman Brewer asked what the thoughts were of the Board. Vice-Chairman Potter thought that moving the
building was a simple thing. Plus, if the Board will be reviewing the consequential items of the peer review at a
future meeting,he is comfortable with this.
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter that moving the building at 390 Chief Justice Cushing Highway
is a minor modification of the original site plan.
SECOND: Member Grady
VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,PG& PC)
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to approve moving the building at 390 Chief Justice Cushing
Highway as shown on the plans dated August 28,2019 thus modifying the original
approved site plan.
SECOND: Member Paul Grady
VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,PG& PC)
The applicants will need to come back in to discuss the other impacts of moving the building on September 18,
2019.
8:OOPM—Informal Discussion—Proposed Solar Site,34 Crocker Lane
Lane of Shift Energy addressed the Board. They are close to securing a lease agreement with the owner of 34
Crocker Lane. They would be proposing a 5MW— 15,500 solar modules. The top of the parcel is south facing.
Chairman Brewer stated that there is a provision in the Town's solar array bylaw that allows the Town to add
sites via a Town Meeting vote. He likes this site very much and wonders if it could have more than one use.
Ms. Lane stated that the array would be approximately 30,000 square meters. Vice-Chairman Potter stated that
this looked good to him. Chairman Brewer said they do not have to decide everything this evening. Board
members should visit the site. Where this is a preliminary discussion,he suggests that her company go and
speak with the neighbors and then come back at some point and talk about Town Meeting procedures. She will
send brochures from her company to the Board.
8:15PM—Informal Discussion—2 Pleasant Street
Mr. Michael Roberts addressed the Board. He has submitted some preliminary plans of what he is thinking
about doing. The residents living in the 8 James Lane development are concerned about how this area looks and
the little red building. They have asked him to look into what he can do. As the developer,he has right to
develop it;they would need to modify the permit to do so. The proposed building would be smaller in scale
than the others and stepped back a bit. It would be 2.5 stories. They have not decided on if they would be
rentals or condos. There would be retail on the first floor and 2-3 units above. Chairman Brewer thinks that 3
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 4 of 4
August 28,2019
units may be too much. There is also issues with parking. Vice-Chairman Potter does not think he would be in
favor of such a large building. Ms. Lea Fiascone of 16 James Lane loves her unit and loves her neighbors.
They would really like to see the red house developed. It's been over 2 years and the lot is looking very run
down. Jack Creighton of 23 Cushing stated that the property looks pretty unkempt and asked what would be
done. Mr. Roberts said that have a charity coming in Thursday to take away materials. Once they do that,he
can bring in a landscaper. There is a farmer that wants the red building. Member Grady suggested that they
keep the red building and make it an ice cream store as is has been in the past. After an extensive discussion,
Mr. Roberts will go back and will consider everyone's suggestions.
MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to adjourn the meeting at 8:55PM
SECOND: Member Paul Grady
VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,PG& PC)
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18,2019 AT 7:00 P.M.