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Home My WebLink AboutMinutes - PB - 11/09/2005 Planning Board Meeting 1 of 2 November 9,2005 COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES DATE: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9,2005 TIME: 7:00 PM PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—LOWER LEVEL MEETING ROOM 41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET,MA 02025 Board Members Present: Alfred Moore, Chairman Peter J. Pratt,Vice Chairman Stuart Ivimey, Clerk Mike Westcott Robert Sturdy Board Members Absent: Recording Secretary Present: Jo-Ann M. Pilczak Town Planner Present: Elizabeth B. Harrington MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT: 7:00 PM 7:00 P.M. ADMINISTRATION • VOTE TO ACCEPT OCTOBER 12 AND OCTOBER 19,2005 MINUTES MOTION: by Member Moore to accept 10/12/05 and 10/19/05 minutes SECOND: Member Westcott VOTE: 4—0 MOTION CARRIES • SET NOVEMBER/DECEMBER MEETING DATES November 16 at 6:30 PM; November 30 at 7:00 PM; December 14 at 7:00 PM • POWERS LANE/OX PASTURE LANE -Paving still not done on Powers Lane. Building Inspector Egan sent letter to Mr. Powers indicating that paving must be done immediately or Certificate of Occupancy will be revoked or lien placed on property and that paving requirement must be disclosed to potential buyers. He copied Powers' real estate agent. Egan would like to ask Selectmen to approve not plowing the road until it is paved. Discussion broadened to include Ox Pasture Lane—road work still not completed. Town Counsel Hucksam thought performance guarantee is best way to go in future as long as it is solidly done. Member Ivimey proposed beginning foreclosure on the remaining lot. Town Planner Harrington to research the foreclosure procedure and whether BOS must initiate. Town Counsel will also provide opinion. Planning Board Administrator will send letter to Mr. Powers requesting he attend 11/30/05 PB Meeting. • VOTE TO SUPPORT CPC FUNDS REQUEST FOR HOUSING CONSULTANT Town Planner Harrington explained the request for funds. MOTION: by Member Pratt that the Planning Board endorse the application of the Town Manager to the CPC Committee for a grant to support the Cohasset Housing Partnership in hiring a consultant to start their business. SECOND: Member Westcott VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES • INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOUSING SUPPORT BOND PROGRAM Town Planner Harrington explained letter being sent to Transit Oriented Development Coordinator re: sidewalks to Greenbush Station (pedestrian/bicycle improvements) and how this is consistent with smart growth goals, Master Plan and MetroFuture project. • BLASTING OF LEDGE BEHIND RED LION INN FOR PARKING - Discussion centered around blasting of ledge before the transit line is completed. Member Pratt asked Town Planner Harrington to determine with transit mitigation team what window of opportunity is for doing blasting. 7:30 P.M. ZONING BYLAWS PUBLIC HEARING—Member Ivimey read public hearing advertisement. Wayne Sawchuk explained the 3 zoning bylaw amendments. Member Pratt stated that even if one member of the ZBA felt clarification was necessary that they should go to Town Counsel for more clarification. Ben Lacey,ZBA, cited Chapter 40A, Section 4 as being violated in that it states equal and uniform treatment of all properties within Planning Board Meeting 2 of 2 November 9,2005 a district. Member Sturdy questioned why the downtown area should be exempt from going to ZBA and why this district should be different from any other district if they don't meet zoning requirements. Member Ivimey noted that lots in the village are not of uniform shape and cannot have a one size fits all bylaw. Member Moore asked Town Counsel Hucksam if businesses in the Downtown"Village"area can be treated differently than other downtown businesses not in the village area specifically citing the difference between the"Village"and the Beechwood area,both designated as Downtown Business. Town Counsel stated that, from a legal standpoint, they probably could with planning studies backing up what was done to add to legitimacy of reasons for rezoning. MOTION: by Member Ivimey to continue the Public Hearing until November 30,2005 at 6:30 PM and ask Town Counsel to be prepared to have the agreed upon language of all parties involved and an opinion as to whether or not the concepts are even feasible. SECOND: Member Westcott VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES Wayne Sawchuk wanted to make it clear that the articles are not looking for any"use"variances,but do: 1. allow multifamily in Village, 2. allow the use of the Town parking lot to meet the parking requirements and, 3. reduce the minimum lot size of 40,000 SF to 5,000 SF.Articles as handed out at start of meeting incorporating Town Counsel comments/wording will be forwarded to Town Manager to meet tomorrow's deadline for the Warrant printing. Town Counsel,ZBA and Wayne Sawchuk will work closely. 8:40 P.M. HIGHLAND ESTATES—SIGN MYLARS - The Nader Family,Attorney Paul Ayoub in attendance. Attorney Ayoub noted that Covenant,Homeowner's Association Agreement and Easement documents have all been approved by Town Counsel. Town Counsel and Town Planner Harrington concur. MOTION: by Member Pratt that the Planning Board sign mylars for this subdivision subject to the report of Town Planner Harrington, Town Counsel Hucksam and Town Engineer Modzelewski. SECOND: Member Westcott VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES Mylars signed. MOTION: by Member Ivimey to adjourn. SECOND: Member Pratt VOTE: 5—0 MOTION CARRIES MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 9:00 P.M. NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, November 16,2005, 6:30 P.M. MINUTES APPROVED: DATE: