HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - PB - 01/01/2009 - Planning Board Meeting Minutes 2009 (15) Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 1 of 2
November 4,2009
COHASSET PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
DATE: WEDNESDAY,NOVEMBER 4, 2009
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: COHASSET TOWN HALL— AUDITORIUM
41 HIGHLAND AVENUE, COHASSET,MA 02025
Board Members Present: Alfred S.Moore,Jr. - Chairman
Jean Healey Dippold, Clerk
Clark H. Brewer
Board Members Absent: Stuart W. Ivimey,Vice Chair
Charles A. Samuelson
Recording Secretary Present: Jo-Ann M. Pilczak
Meeting called to order at: 7:00 P.M.
7:00 P.M. COOK ESTATE—AMENDED COVENANT—Attorney Richard Henderson in attendance. John
Modzelewski reviewed revised covenant and send memo via email stating he thought the revisions and language
gave the Planning Board a vehicle by which to allow construction before the infrastructure is totally built out. He
recommends release of only the building permits with proviso that occupancy permits will not be issued until ways,
all other municipal services, landscaping and other improvements serving the units are complete.
MOTION: By Member Brewer to accept the amended Covenant as drafted by Town Counsel
SECOND: Member Healey-Dippold
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
Modzelewski also noted that the construction schedule requested two months ago has not been received and the
contractor is substituting pipe materials and other construction items on the site without formal request to Planning
Board to approve these substitutions—this has been two months also. Abbott needs to be called in for meeting.
7:10 P.M. ADMINISTRATION
• VOTE TO ACCEPT OCTOBER 28,2009 MINUTES
• VOTE TO ACCEPT OCTOBER 28,2009 EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
MOTION: By Member Brewer to accept the October 28 regular meeting minutes and the October 28,
2009 Executive Session minutes
SECOND: Member Healey-Dippold
VOTE: 3- 0 MOTION CARRIES
• CONFLICT OF INTEREST LAW— MANDATORY TRAINING PROGRAM—Planning Board
Administrator distributed information packet from Town Clerk. This is a new law that requires all municipal
employees, elected and appointed board members, consultants etc. to complete this on-line training program and
test and submit completion certificate to Town Clerk's Office. This is mandatory.
7:17 P.M. 8 JAMES LANE, SITE PLAN REVIEW AND SPECIAL PERMIT CONTINUED PUBLIC
HEARING, OWNER: STEPHEN CLEARY, APPLICANT: SOUTH COASTAL DEVELOPMENT
GROUP,LLC filed on: March 5,2009 — VOTE TO CONTINUE NOVEMBER 24, 2009 CONTINUED
PUBLIC HEARING TO DECEMBER 2, 2009 AT 7.15 P.M. Planning Board would like to move this public
hearing to December 2 to allow more time at the November 24 meeting for anticipated remand public hearing.
Planning Board Administrator contacted Applicant—they are agreeable to rescheduling to December 2,2009.
MOTION: By Member Healey-Dippold to reschedule this November 24 public hearing to December 2,
2009 at 7:15 P.M.
SECOND: Member Brewer
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
7:18 P.M. COHASSET HEIGHTS PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION FILING CONTINUED PUBLIC
HEARING. APPLICANT: JAMES SWEENEY, CCI ENERGY,LLC; OWNERS: PAUL BARRY;
Planning Board Meeting APPROVED MINUTES 2of 2
November 4,2009
CROCKER LANE REALTY TRUST; CROCKER II REALTY TRUST- POSTPONED AT APPLICANT'S
REQUEST— VOTE TO RESCHEDULE NOVEMBER 24, 2009 8:00 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING TO 7.00 P.M.
MOTION: By Member Healey-Dippold to reschedule the time of this public hearing to 7:00 P.M.
SECOND: Member Brewer
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
7:20 P.M. BEECHWOOD DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISCUSSION -Administrator sent letters
explaining the reason for this discussion to 110 households abutting or neighboring this property. 10 households
attended this discussion. Member Moore explained current controversy at 8 James Lane regarding the special
permit review for a substantial building in this otherwise residential area and that it is possible that a similar
potential concern could exist in the Beechwood area as well. Moore explained that no hidden agenda exists and
that right now,there are no plans to change the zoning—Board only wanted to make sure residents of the
surrounding area were aware of this zoning difference that could produce angst in the future and had an
opportunity to discuss it.
Member Brewer explained that the discussion could lead to one of several outcomes in the future:
1. The DB zoning would remain as is
2. The DB zoning could be rezoned via zoning warrant articles and Town Meeting vote
3. The DB district could be reduced
4. "Small scale"limits could imposed that would be more consistent with the character of this neighborhood
(neighborhood scale uses as opposed to big box scale uses)to avoid something massive being done
Comments from those in attendance included:
• Would hate to change/lose something and then not be able to get it back in the future
• Have lived in this area for 39 years—its been the same for 39 years,why change the zoning now?
• At least 1 attendee who owns a DB zoned parcel posed a lawsuit if his parcel is rezoned
• It is a good idea to look at this proactively
• Water Dept. should be brought into the discussion as they have purchased parcels in the area to protect reservoir.
• When this district was drawn,the character of the area was different —since then, it has become more residential
• Wouldn't want to see dense development or commercial development in this area
• Questions about what rights neighbors would have in the approval processes if someone wanted to initiate one of
the allowed DB district uses (Member Moore explained the building permit and public hearing processes)
• Questions about positive or negative repercussions on property values (has not yet been studied)
• Question about whether a zoning change would affect those who have corporate addresses at their home address?
• Suggestion that perhaps the allowed uses could be reviewed and modified somewhat—for example,perhaps those
uses that are not in keeping with the area(hospital was mentioned) could be deleted as allowed uses
• If sewer were installed in this area, it could change a lot of what could be done in the area
Discussion to be continued in late January. Gives residents in the area an opportunity to further discuss,review
allowed uses to see if there are any uses they think should be changed via zoning warrant articles, etc.
8:30 P.M. OFF SHORE ZONING—Member Brewer found additional reference that discusses Ocean Zoning
as a possible management tool for the waters off the coast of Massachusetts. Brief summary given.
8:40 P.M. REVIEW,COMMENTS- OPEN SPACE REPORT DRAFT
Board reviewed Section 9.0, pp. 9-1 and 9-2. Comments to be forwarded to the Open Space Committee
via Ted Carroll in the Recreation Dept.
MOTION: By Member Brewer to adjourn at 9:10 P.M.
SECOND: Member Healey-Dippold
VOTE: 3—0 MOTION CARRIES
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M.
MINUTES APPROVED: JEAN HEALEY DIPPOLD, CLERK
DATE: NOVEMBER 24, 2009