Town of Southwick, MA - Minutes March 11, 2008

4. Submitted an Amendment for the contract with Baystate Environmental Consultants changing the completion date from February 26 to April 7. They will have a report to the Board by March 18 and will attend the March 25 public hearing. The Board of Selectmen signed it on March 10.

5. Attended a meeting with the Westfield Gas and Electric on the proposed gas pipeline along the Southwick Rail Trail. They will be purchasing a piece of property along the trail from Southview Estates to build the “taking station” and access road.

7. Attended Water and Sewer Commission meeting on March 6 for a discussion of the Noble Steed developers replacing the water line on Vining Hill Road. An Agreement will be prepared and the Planning Board may want to consider including language in the Definitive Subdivision Plan approval requiring completion of the line before building permits are issued.

8. Received a new application from Doug Williams for a Modification of Conditions of Definitive Subdivision Plan for Lexington Circle. He requests that either the homeowner or the builder construct the roof drain infiltration trenches or as an alternative this requirement be eliminated.

John Isbister presented plans for 555 College Highway. Mr. Moglin said that the Board of Selectmen needs a signed approved plan for this location in order to transfer the license. Mr. Moglin said that this service station is pre existing non-conforming. Mr. Ibister plans to operate the service station with the same use and is making no changes.

Mr. Moglin explained that there will be three separate discussions on each of the three separate zone changes. The Planning Board has had some informal zone change meetings on all three zone changes. After the close of the Public Hearing the Planning Board will make a recommendation to Town meeting. In order for a zone change to be approved at town meeting it has to pass with a 2/3 majority vote. He read the public notice. Mr. Phelps, the Town Planner, showed a power point presentation of the maps of the areas to be rezoned Business Restricted. (BR). Business Restricted requires special permit, an extra level of approval form the Planning Board. The area includes some residential (R40) which requires a minimum lot size of 60,000 sq. ft. There is also some denser zoning (R20) that requires 40,000 sq. ft. There is a large area which is Industrial Restricted (IR) which allows manufacturing and adult entertainment in the zone. All three articles encompass about 250 acres, 19 parcels of land, involving 13 property owners.

Evan Mattson of 20 Wynnfield Circle asked if the piece that abuts Wynnfield Circle would be a part of the rezoning. Mr. Phelps replied that that parcel is not part of the rezoning. Mr. Moglin explained that the existing BR zone was put at 500 ft from the road. The Planning Board is trying to extend that back to the rear of the parcels to make the zoning consistent in that area. Also to enable larger development in some of these areas and to take the access off the highway to eliminate a lot of curb cuts off of College Highway.

Donald Monroe asked if a home burned down or was destroyed by another calamity can it be rebuilt a residence with the zone change. Mr. Moglin replied yes. Mrs. Terry stated that according to zoning bylaws, the building would have to be re-built within 24 months. She also said that if the building was abandoned for over a year the use would have to change to a BR use..

Dan Call of 7 Wynnfield Circle referenced 767 to 771, south of Wynnfield, asked if it becomes BR that area is about 34 acres, give me some idea what could be built there. Mr. Moglin replied that a medical office building is one example. We put it in Business Restricted (BR) because it requires a special permit from the Planning Board. It also requires a public hearing providing abutters and residents an opportunity to voice their opinions. In a Business zone (B) there are fewer controls.

Patricia Bahlin of 31 Wynnfield Circle could a sludge plant go there. Mr. Moglin replied no. Mr. Johnson replied that anything that is light commercial use, light retail, offices, banks, etc. Mr. Moglin said that as a general guide line that light commercial is a business to customer use. Mrs. Terry said that one of the

reasons the Planning Board is requesting the zone change is to attract businesses into the Town to try and take some of the tax burden off the residents. Having areas that are large enough and easy enough for developers to come in and put a business off the highway that can be shielded from things is more attractive. Most of the available lots in town are so small and restrictive that businesses are not attracted to come here.

Richard Pete of 33 Wynnfield Road said that he is on the Board of Trustees for Wynnfield Estates. He presented a petition to the Planning Board signed by 44 residents opposed to the proposed rezoning. He said Southwick is a beautiful quiet community and they do not want additional businesses in this area. Leave us alone. We do not want to be surrounded by business. Collectively we pay the Town 1.5 million dollars in taxes and get nothing in return.

Patricia Bahlin of 31 Wynnfield Circle asked why the businesses can’t be built near the Connecticut line. Why does it have to be built by the American Inn and Wynnfield? Mr. Chunglo said that the Planning Board was looking at three articles going all the way south. What we are trying to do is get away from spot zoning. Wynnfield was Business zoned and it was changed about five years ago to Residential to accommodate Wynnfield.

Theresa Lecrenski of 822 College Highway and 809 College Highway said she has an empty piece of property on 809 College Highway and she tried to do a couple of projects and it is too small to do anything. It is just over an acre of land. College Highway is a dangerous road already. Do you want to make it another Riverdale Road? Mr. Santaniello replied that what the Board is trying to do is to get better control over what goes in there and keep the businesses back off College Highway so we can alleviate the traffic on College Highway. This is a long term plan. College Highway from Westfield to 57 is a business zone. What we want to do is enhance that and make it better for the Town as a whole. The idea is to have the businesses set back from the road with trees and landscaping in front with an access road. The plan is to keep the small town feel of Southwick.

Chris Gamble of 35 Tannery Road asked if there were any plans for foot traffic. Mr. Moglin replied there is a reconstruction project of College Highway from the Westfield line to the Connecticut State line. There will be side walks from Tannery Road to just south of the Town Hall.. Mrs. Terry said that the State plans are 75% approved. The sidewalks will be on both sides of College Highway, the road will be widened and there will be turning lanes. The Town does not have control of it because it is a sState Highway. It will be started in about a year and a half and is a State funded project. Mr. Moglin said that there is also a discussion about putting s traffic light at the intersection of Tannery Road and College Highway. Mr. Moglin said that the Planning Board has been discussing this for almost 2 years.

Scott Ricker of 28 Lakeshore Drive asked why this rezoning could not be done toward the Connecticut side of College Highway. Mr. Moglin replied that there are environmental challenges in that area, primarily water. The Planning Board has had some problems with the southern end with water and drainage close to College Highway. We would be hard pressed to put anything in that area.

Robert Cagloistro of 717 College Highway asked if 767 & 771 parcels could not be rezoned. Mr. Moglin said that it would not be possible. However, the Special Permit process would protect the residence. Mr. Chunglo said that the BR zone is better protection for area residents than the present zone.

Robert Caliostro of 717 College Highway is there a plan to widen the road and sidewalks by Tannery Road. Mrs. Terry replied that the sidewalks are going to go all the way up there. Mr. Moglin said that the State is going to reconstruct College Highway from Westfield to Connecticut in three phases. Phase 1 is the center of Town and will include sidewalks to Tannery Road. Phase 2 is the southern section and Phase 3 will include the northern section. The reconstruction will be complete including drainage, lanes, turn out lanes, widening and some sidewalks. More information can be obtained from Southwick DPW.

Mr. Moglin read that the following parcels: 662A, 3.17 acres, 664, 4.06 acres, 686, 101 acres, 688, 1.20 acres, 700, 57.17acres, 726, 3.2 acres, 70 and Tannery Road, 31.1 acres. The purpose is to change the zone from Industrial Restricted (IR) to Business Restricted (BR) to increase the availability of commercial property along College Highway. Mr. Phelps indicated on the map the designated properties. Mr. Moglin said there are no plans at this time to develop the properties.

Keith King of 662 College Highway asked what are the plans for a sewer system. Mrs. Terry said that he would have to ask the Sewer committee. Mr. Phelps said that there was a warrant Article asking for funds to design the next phase at the March 15 Town Meeting. Mr. Moglin said that there are three wetlands crossing between Tannery and Westfield that will hinder the continuation of sewer lines for the area along College Highway.

Elizabeth Gamble of 35 Tannery Road said that Tannery Road is a very dangerous road and the traffic entering on college Highway would increase. How are you going to address that? Mr. Johnson said that the road is dangerous. Getting the police to enforce the rules would help. Making this BR would be much safer than adding more Industrial businesses that bring large truck traffic. We cannot stop growth. The only thing we can do is control the growth.

Bob Stevens of 33 Tannery Road said he is for commercial development in Southwick. He said he understood the reason for (IR) was that it has delayed development. Without sewers none of industrial growth will happen and the land will remain the same. Do we have a zoning by-law in place that is robust enough so that when someone comes with a development plan the zoning bylaw is in place? Maybe the timing is not right. College Highway and Tannery road are dangerous. He would like to see that addressed before we make a zoning change.

Joe Ballard of 38 Tannery Road asked to leave the property zoned at IR and asked how much frontage was required for development. Mrs. Terry replied that the lot size is the same for BR and IR zone 40,000 square feet requiring 200 feet of frontage. Mr. Moglin said there would have to be a larger buffer in BR zone. The uses are different but the lot sizes are the same. Mr. Chunglo said there is not enough business zone land in town for the demand. The Board is trying to get some incubator businesses in town.

Mary Salvon of 42 Tannery Road asked how the process continued from the meeting. Mr. Moglin explained that after the hearing the Planning board makes a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and then the zoning request goes to Town Meeting in May where it will require a 2/3 vote in order to pass.