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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 09/18/2019 Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 4 September 18,2019 COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES DATE: WEDNESDAY,SEPTEMBER 18,2019 TIME: 7:00 PM PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—BASMENT MEETING ROOM TOWNHALL 41 HIGHLAND AVENUE,COHASSET,MA 02025 Board Members Present: Clark Brewer, Chairman Erik Potter,Vice-Chairman Brian Frazier Amy Glasmeier Paul Colleary,Associate Member Member Absent: Paul Grady Town Staff Present: Lauren Lind,Planning Director 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 Edward Johnson of K& E Construction Corp. The subject property was filed as 179 Atlantic Avenue(new address is 183 Atlantic Avenue). The RGFA of the is 4,693 square feet (Continued from August 14,2019). In attendance to represent this agenda item: Edward Johnson of K&E Construction Corp. Documents used for this hearing(on file in the Planning Board office): ➢ Exterior Lighting plan prepared by 209 Design and date stamped September 6,2019 ➢ Conservation Application Site Plan prepared by September Morse Engineering and date stamped September 6,2019. ➢ Architectural Plans prepared by 209 Design date stamped September 6,2019 ➢ Cut sheet of sample fence date stamped September 6,2019 ➢ Letter of support from Edna Barry owner of 187 Atlantic Avenue ➢ Letter from Dr.Aiden Long of 177 Atlantic Avenue dated September 13,2019 This is a continued hearing. Chairman Brewer referred to a letter submitted by Dr. Aiden Long of 177 Atlantic Avenue. Dr. Long has concerns regarding height, lighting and the fencing. He is also concerned about stormwater. Chairman Brewer stated he confirmed the height and it does conform. He also understands the concerns regarding the light path on the top floor and thinks the Board can address that issue in the decision. In regard to Stormwater Management,that review is under the purview of the Conservation Commission. Vice-Chairman Erik Potter understands some of the neighbor's concerns,but he thinks the Planning Board has to remember that when it comes to the Large House Review,they are advisory and,in his opinion, if the applicant has met all of the requirements of the application,the Board needs review it and move forward with making its recommendations. He thinks it's important to remember that this is a Large House Review and not a regulatory process. He will rely on the architects for heights etc. In his opinion, it's a slippery slope to make recommendations on how someone lights the inside of their home. There was then a discussion started by member Glasmeier about how this building permit was issued and now the structure has already been built and the review is after the fact; she wants to understand the"forensics"of what happened. Chairman Brewer stated that this has already been discussed at previous hearings. Director of Planning,Lauren Lind,added that the Building Commissioner cannot act on what may be done in the future;the Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 4 September 18,2019 square footage changed after the building permit was issued and put the house over the Large Home Review threshold. This is reason the Large Home Review application was filed after the issuance of the building permit. Edward Johnson reviewed the most recent submittals on behalf of his clients. They are not prepared to give a full landscape plan as they don't know what the ultimate plan will be. They did submit the plans the Planning Board that were provided and approved by the Conservation Commission. Chairman Brewer asked if they would provide information on the species of plants and their caliper size(s). Mr. Johnson stated they are proposing to use asphalt to pave the driveway. There was then continued discussion on the planting plan. Member Frazier reviewed it and thought it was appropriate. They are proposing a white vinyl fence and provided a photo of what they are proposing. Chairman Brewer suggested they may want to use something that is more in harmony with the neighborhood;vinyl is shiny. He added that the real issue is the rear elevation. Where they are on the street, Chairman Brewer also suggested they use"Dark Sky"lighting. After reviewing the outstanding items: MOTION: By Member Frazier to continue this hearing to October 2, 2019 at 7:15PM SECOND: Member Glasmeier VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,BF,AG& PC) PUBLIC HEARING—Per Sections 4300-9,and Sections 000-12.4,&300-12.6 and&300-18 for an application filed by Jim Norton/Young Belford,LLC for Village Business District Special Permit pursuant to sections 4300-18, 000-4.2,&300-5.3, 000-8.7.2 and Site Plan Approval pursuant to 4300-12.6 to convert he existing barn into a single, detached family dwelling at 15 Brook Street(Continued from August 14,2019). The applicant requested that this hearing be continued to October 2, 2019. MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to continue the hearing to Wednesday, October 2,2019 at 7:15PM. SECOND: Member Glasmeier VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,EP,BF,AG&PC) PUBLIC HEARING—Pursuant to 4300-5.4 of the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw for an application for a Large House Review,filed by Campbell Smith Architects. The subiect property was filed as 29 Little Harbor Road. The RGFA is 4,949 square feet(Continued from August 14,2019). In attendance to represent this agenda item: Peter Smith of Campbell Smith Architects Documents used for this hearing(on filed in the Planning Board Office): ➢ Abutting Properties comparison-prepared by Campbell Smith Architects and date stamped September 4,2019 ➢ Lighting Plan prepared by Campbell Smith Architects and date stamped September 4,2019 ➢ Planting Plan prepared by Campbell Smith Architects and date stamped September 4,2019 ➢ Calendar of construction timeline date stamped September 4,2019 This is a continued hearing. Mr. Peter Smith of Campbell Smith Architects reviewed their submissions. The Board has asked for an explanation regarding the Stormwater Plan, so they have a representative present from Morse Engineering present. They also have submitted a lighting plan. Chairman Brewer asked if they are proposing any spotlights. Mr. Smith stated they are not. He added they have also submitted a planting plan. The line of planting and screening proposed was required by the Conservation Commission. Mr. Smith then began reviewing the comparison plan for the Board. Mr. Thomas Killilea of 44 Little Harbor Road interjected stating he could not hear the presentation. As Mr. Smith went on,Mr. Killilea continued to interject comments about the size of the proposed house and the stormwater. Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 3 of 4 September 18,2019 Chairman Brewer asked that Mr. Killilea please hold his comments until the discussion was opened to the audience. Member Potter asked if the applicants have received a Stormwater Permit from the Conservation Commission. Mr. Smith confirmed that they have. Member Frazier appreciated the renderings with the context of the trees. Member Potter appreciated the use of the photos of the houses on the comparison chart. Chairman Brewer stated he thought the house was harmonious with the neighborhood. Chairman Brewer asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak. Mr. Killilea of 44 Little Harbor Road stated that the home does not fit into the neighborhood as it is substantially larger. He also has concerns about stormwater. Member Potter referred to the Large House Review bylaw stating that it refers to the area of the proposed structure and there is some flexibility in regard to the area/neighborhood that it looked at. Member Glasmeier asked the applicant if when they went before the Conservation Commission, did they address the flooding in the neighborhood. Jeff Hasset of Morse Engineering addressed the Board. He explained that when an applicant is before the Conservation Commission,the applicant has the burden to show they are reducing the flooding/run off on the lot in question. In this case they are reducing it by between 24- 46%. This is a big reduction and goes above and beyond what they are required to do. They are also installing a pervious driveway; they have created and overdeveloped the stormwater system on this lot. Chairman Brewer reviewed the application;he stated he sees a well-designed house, landscaping, lighting plans that conform to the Board's goals. It also sounds like the engineers will be improving the water problems on the lot. (Throughout the presentation and these final comments by the Chairman, Mr. Killilea continued to interrupt. Chairman Brewer asked him to leave the meeting;he would not). Member Glasmeier reiterated that the Planning Board is not responsible for addressing the stormwater issues and that it does seem as though the design being proposed will address the issues on this lot. MOTION: By Member Frazier to approve this Large House Review without conditions SECOND: Vice-Chairman Potter VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,EP,BF,AG & PC) PUBLIC HEARING—Pursuant to §300-5.4 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 28,2019) In attendance to represent this agenda item: Jeff Hassett of Morse Engineering This is a continued hearing. The only item missing was a narrative regarding the project. Mr. Hassett stated they have their Stormwater Permit. The Board agreed that they were pleased with the changes made and presented at the previous hearing. Member Glasmeier asked that they ask for a better landscape plan and condition the Large House Review approval to have the Planning Director approve it. Member Frazier will recuse himself from the vote and Vice-Chairman Potter will have to abstain from the vote. Chairman Brewer asked Associate Member Cleary to vote. MOTION: By Chairman Brewer to approve this Large House Review with conditions. SECOND: Associate Member Colleary VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,AG& PC) PLANNING BOARD & STAFF COMMENTS Planning Director Lauren Lind announced there will be a Harbor Plan presentation at the Board of Selectmen's Meeting on September 24,2019. Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 4 of 4 September 18,2019 Building Commissioner/Zoning Enforcement Officer,Robert Egan, stated he would be happy to work with the Board to draft improved,clearer language for the Large House Review Bylaw. Minutes—June 24,2019,August 14,2019 &August 28,2019 MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to approve the minutes of June 24,2019,August 14,2019 & August 28,2019 SECOND: Member Frazier VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,BF,AG& PC) MOTION: By Vice-Chairman Potter to adjourn the meeting at 8:17PM SECOND: Member Glasmeier VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES(CB,EP,BF,AG& PC) NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2019 AT 7:00 P.M. I