HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 10/20/2004 Planning Board Meeting 1 of 2
October 20,2004
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20,2004
TIME: 7:00 PM
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL—BASEMENT MEETING ROOM
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Alfred Moore, Chairman
Robert H. Sturdy
Stuart Ivimey, Clerk
Mike Westcott
Board Members Absent: Peter J. Pratt,Vice Chairman
Recording Secretary Present: Jo-Ann M. Pilczak
Town Planner Present: Elizabeth B. Harrington, Town Planner
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT: 7:07 PM
7:10 P.M. 812 CJC HIGHWAY,KING JEWELERS SITE PLAN REVIEW APPLICATION,
APP: VALERIE KING,DATE: 04/23/04. SIGNING MYLARS. Valerie King in attendance. Final
approval of all plans by John Modzelewski.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy for Member Moore to sign mylars.
SECOND: by Member Westcott
VOTE: 4-0 MOTION APPROVED
7:15 P.M. APPLICATION, APP: KIM-RICH REALTY TRUST, OWNER: KIM-RICH
REALTY TRUST, DATE: 07/06/04. SIGNING MYLARS. John Modzelewski indicated that everything on
the plans reflect his last memo.Conditions are on title page. Operations,maintenance plans submitted. Mylars
signed by members of the Board.
7:20 P.M. ZBA RECOMMENDATIONS
• 130 Sohier St., South Shore Playhouse Associates, dated: 10/14/04.Applicant seeks a special permit
to alter license for sale of malt beverage and wine.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to not make a recommendation on this application as it is not within the
purview of the Planning Board.
SECOND: by Member Ivimey
VOTE: 4-0 MOTION APPROVED
• 231 Pond St., M&R Realty Trust, dated: 01/14/04.Applicant seeks special permit for relief from
lot width requirement. Lot width is apparently<1' shy of the 125'required. Member Sturdy noted that problem
was created years ago when it was improperly measured at 125' lot width by Perkins Engineering.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to recommend that the ZBA approve this special permit application.
SECOND: by Member Westcott
VOTE: 3 - 1 MOTION APPROVED
• 17 Sohier St.,Jerome& Tracey Vainisi,dated: 10/20/04. Applicant seeks a special permit to
construct an addition. It was noted that: the applicant did not submit an architect's drawings; that for drawings
to be official,they must be original plans with the surveyors signature in ink; and that the submitted information
is so inadequate and lacking in detail that it cannot even bedetermined exactly what the applicant is proposing.
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to recommend against any action on this special permit application as
the submission is grossly and inadequately documented and information is insufficient to allow any
judgments to be made.
SECOND: by Member Ivimey
VOTE: 4-0 MOTION APPROVED
7:30 P.M. WAYNE SAWCHUK,INFORMAL DISCUSSION Wayne Sawchuk not present.
Planning Board Meeting 2 of 2
October 20,2004
7:31 P.M. PLANNING BOARD ADMINISTRATION. Member Moore mentioned signs that were around
town, on town property, on Sunday,October 17 advertising Oriental Rug sale at Cohasset Harbor Inn.Asked
Town Planner Harrington to send memo to Selectmen, Town Manager,Building Inspector addressing this issue.
Member Sturdy brought up issue of outside merchandise(in violation of zoning bylaws)outside Joseph's
Hardware. Allowing this to exist,makes it difficult to enforce the bylaws with other merchants. Asked Town
Planner Harrington to send memo to Building Inspector Bob Egan(copy Selectmen)addressing this issue.
• Town Engineer Position: Member Westcott explained conversation with Wayne Sawchuk regarding
need for Town Engineer which would probably pay for itself in avoiding costly mistakes that are made by 5-6
Boards making decisions with no consistency etc. Town Planner Harrington noted that position could probably
be funded by the application fees in various departments. Asked if Board would like to make recommendation to
Selectmen again re: need for this position. Board agreed they would. Town Planner Harrington noted that
might have to get creative about funding and include sewer commission,water dept.,DPW etc. as the individual
would oversee projects for all those departments. Member Moore mentioned that former Planning Board
Member Bill Good would be willing to resurrect the Design Review Board—Town Planner Harrington will
follow-up. Members Westcott and Sturdy believe the position should be similar to Town Planner but on
engineering side, serving as conduit to everyone,reporting to Planning Board.
• Master Plan: Member Westcott distributed Executive Summary and asked Board to review(particularly
last 2 pages)highlighting priorities and recommendations. Would like to have three sessions: #1 to cover first
four items—resources, environment, open space, #2 Housing,Residential,Economic Development and#3
Infrastructure including community facilities,public services,transportation. Member Sturdy is concerned that
the Town doesn't fall into a nitch that the State says every town must have and follow a master plan or
jeopardize funding. Feels State is trying to eliminate local Planning Boards and control everything. Member
Sturdy would like to know where the State approval process stands and how it will affect town decisions and
funding. Town Planner Harrington will look into. Member Ivimey understands Member Sturdy's concern but
agrees with Member Westcott that the Master Plan needs to be reviewed so the Board can get their hands around
all the issues and where the Town is going in 20 years.
• Miscellaneous: Member Westcott stated that 3 areas that need planning sessions are: Rt.3A(especially
around train),Downtown,Harbor Front. Town Planner Harrington mentioned meeting with State on 10/26/04 at
9:30 AM to discuss roadway projects,traffic etc.—invited Police,Fire Chiefs, DPW,Planning Board Members.
• Zoning Amendments and Upcoming Dates/Commitments:
November 10—Large Home Review for 735 Jerusalem Rd.,Master Plan
November 15 - Highland Estates,Zoning Warrant Articles
December 6—Town Meeting
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to continue Highland Estates Subdivision Public Hearing to November
15,2004 at 7:30 PM.
SECOND: by Member Westcott
VOTE: 4-0 MOTION APPROVED
• Approve minutes:
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to accept the September 22, 2004 and October 6,2004 minutes.
SECOND: by Member Westcott
VOTE: 4-0 MOTION APPROVED
MOTION: by Member Sturdy to adjourn.
SECOND: by Member Westcott
VOTE: 4 -0 MOTION APPROVED
MEETING ADJOURNED AT: 8:30 P.M.
NEXT MEETING: November 10,2004 at 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES APPROVED:
DATE: