HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 10/02/2019 Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 3
October 2,2019
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 2,2019
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—BASMENT MEETING ROOM TOWNHALL
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE,COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Clark Brewer, Chairman(CB)
Amy Glasmeier(AG)
Paul Grady(PG)
Members Absent: Erik Potter(EP)
Brian Frazier(BF)
Paul Colleary(PC)
Town Staff Present: Lauren Lind,Planning Director
Chairman Clark Brewer called the meeting called to order at: 7:OOP.M.
The Chairman reviewed the processes of public hearings and the rules and procedures to be followed during
them.
PUBLIC HEARING—Pursuant to 000-5.4 of the Cohasset Zoning Bylaw for an application for a Large
House Review,filed by Sally Weston Associates. The subiect property is 130 Nichols Road. The RGFA is
8,581 square feet.
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Sally Weston of Sally Weston Associates, Sean Papich,
Landscape Architect
Documents used for this hearing(on file in the Planning Board office):
➢ Public Hearing Notice
➢ Large Home Review Application Date stamped September 6,2019
➢ Architectural Plans prepared by Sally Weston Associates and Date stamped September 6,2019
➢ Narrative of project and neighborhood comparison submitted by Sally Weston Associates on September
24,2019
➢ Site Plan prepared by Cavanaro Consulting—Dated August 27,2019 and date stamped September 6,
2019
➢ 130 Nichols Road Staff Report prepared by Planning Director,Lauren Lind
➢ Sketch of front and rear yard prepared by Sally Weston Associates and submitted on October 2, 2019 at
the public hearing.
Member Glasmeier read the public hearing notice aloud. Planning Director Lauren Lind read her staff report to
the Board. Sally Weston addressed the Board and handed out renderings of the front and back of the proposed
house. She explained that initially they hoped to save the original home,but it needed a lot of work and would
have been very costly. In addition,the new owners want to have an energy efficient home. In designing the
new home,the goal was to make the design look like an old country summer home but be modern in its energy
efficiency. Where the home is located up on hill, it's not very visible from Atlantic Avenue or Nichols Road.
Chairman Brewer said it's always good to build a home so that it looks like it has always been there.
Sean Papich presented the Landscape Plan. The driveway shape will remain unchanged,but the surface will
change to allow for additional stormwater leaching. There will be crushed stone in the court yard and in front of
the driveway. The existing large Beech trees and the Huckberry Trees will remain. They plan to thin some of
the shrubs in the front lawn. He reviewed the stone work and steps for the pool area. Chairman Brewer asked
about screening, either with fences or landscape for the abutters. Mr. Papich stated that the existing stockade
fence is in bad shape and will need to be replaced;they are uncertain of what material will be used. The fence
will have to meet state and locate code(s) for pool safety.
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2 of 3
October 2,2019
They have not finalized what they will use for screening,they are thinking of using evergreens. They also plan
on replacing the fence around the tennis court. Mr. Papich added that John Cavanaro of Cavanaro Consulting
could not be present this evening to review the site plan. They have gone before the Conservation Commission
to review the stormwater plan and it has been continued to October 17'h. The stormwater plan will intertwine
with the landscape plan. Member Glasmeier asked if the stormwater design would accommodate additional roof
run off. Mr. Papich stated that the major concerns brought up at the Conservation Commission meeting will be
addressed during the hearings with the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Papich then addressed the lighting plan for the site. There will be low level landscape path lights with the
occasional up light to an ornamental tree. All lights will be low wattage/dark sky compliant. Ms.Weston
stated that the perimeter lights will be sconces made of either brass or copper;using warm light not blue lights.
Chairman Brewer asked if there were any comments from Board members. Member Glasmeier asked what the
applicant would have to come back for? Chairman Brewer stated it would be up to the Board and if it feels there
is a need for more information to be submitted by the applicants.
They then opened the hearing up for public comment. Planning Director Lind stated that the Board was in
receipt of a letter of support from Marcia Comeau of 120 Nichols Road and a letter of objection from Robert and
Sabina Troy of 150 Nichols Road. Ms. Comeau asked about the height difference between what is existing and
what is proposed; she is concerned about losing their water view. Ms.Weston said the roof will extend in height
a bit,but not drastically and shouldn't affect her view. Member Glasmeier asked if the applicants and the
Troy's have met to discuss the impacts of the project. Mrs. Troy said they had not. Ms. Weston stated that the
owners had reached out to the abutters. Mr. Robert Troy of 150 Nichols Road does not feel this project
complies with the Bylaws. They are unhappy with the house size and stated that the proposed house is the size
of a hotel. They are also concerned about how the height has been interpreted by the Building Commissioner.
Mrs. Troy does not want the Board to look at all of the houses submitted on the comparison submission; only
their house and two others. The Troy's are concerned about shadows,the height,water run-off and the
proximity of the house to their house. They are also concerned about the trees and water run off from the tennis
court. Chairman Brewer asked what the existing v. the proposed square footage is. Ms. Weston stated the
current house is 3, 571 square feet and the proposed is 5,449 square feet. Also,the tennis court will be regraded
and pitched to address stormwater run-off. Chairman Brewer added that stormwater and other run off concerns
will be addressed at the Conservation Commission hearing on October 17th. Hugh Devine of 368 Atlantic
Avenue has concerns regarding ledge, drainage and hardscape implications. Chairman Brewer reminded
everyone again that these issues will be before the Conservation Commission on October 17t'; Stormwater is not
in the Planning Board's purview in an LHR application. Brendan Sullivan of Cavanaro Consulting then
reviewed the rules for Stormwater controls.
MOTION: By Member Glasmeier to continue this hearing to October 23,2019 at 7:OOPM
SECOND: Member Grady
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,AG& PG)
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 subiect 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: No one present
Documents used for this hearing(on file in the Planning Board office):
➢ Letter from the applicants dated October 1,2019 from Ed Johnson of K+E Construction on
behalf of the Fernando's requesting to withdraw this application.
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 3 of 3
October 2,2019
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 4300-18,000-4.2,000-5.3,4300-8.7.2 and Site Plan Approval pursuant to 000-12.6
to convert he existing barn into a single,detached family dwelling at 15 Brook Street(Continued from
August 14,2019).
In attendance to represent this agenda item: Brendan Sullivan of Cavanaro Consulting
Documents used for this hearing(on file in the Planning Board office):
➢ Updated site plan prepared by Cavanaro Consulting dated 10/1/19
➢ Fagade Area diagram prepared by Cavanaro Consulting dated 9/10/19
➢ Volume Diagrams prepared by Cavanaro Consulting dated 9/10/19
Mr. Sullivan addressed the Board. He discussed Town Counsel's opinion which stated where it does say SP in
the table within the bylaw regarding a single-family home,this application would need a Special Permit for a
single-family home from the ZBA and not the Planning Board. For this reason,the applicant would like to
change the use to a Guest House. Chairman Brewer said that the Building Commissioner may require a Deed
Restriction. Mr. Sullivan then reviewed the updated Site Plan, facade area diagram and volume diagrams for the
Board. They have met with the Lords at 19 Elm Street and the easement and other issues have been reconciled.
Mr. David Lord was present and confirmed this to the Board. Landowner, Jim Norton,then addressed the Board
and expressed his frustration with the application process before the ZBA.
MOTION: Member Glasmeier to continue the hearing to November 6, 2019 at 7:OOPM.
SECOND: Member Grady
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,AG& PG)
PLANNING BOARD & STAFF COMMENTS
Planning Director Lauren Lind updated the Board on the Master Plan Implementation Committee and upcoming
training and Chapter 91 Forums.
MOTION: Member Grady to adjourn the meeting at 8:30PM
SECOND: Member Glasmeier
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES (CB,AG&PG)
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23,2019 AT 7:00 P.M.