April 22, 2008
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: |
Doug Moglin, Chairman |
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Roz Terry, Vice Chairman |
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Bob Johnson |
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Sam Santaniello |
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Cal Chunglo |
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Richard Utzinger, Associate |
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OTHER: |
Marcus Phelps, Town Planner |
The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Moglin.
TOWN PLANNER'S REPORT: 7:00 p.m.
1. Reviewed a draft of the Southwick Community Profile developed by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. Distributed copies for Planning Board comment.
2. Karl Stinehart, CAO, indicated that the Erosion and Sediment Control for Stormwater Management bylaw will not be placed on the May 20 Annual Town Meeting Warrant based on a decision made by the Board of Selectmen.
3. Sent a Request for Legal Services to the Board of Selectmen for use of Town Counsel to review the materials submitted by Doug Williams for a Modification of the Lexington Circle Definitive Subdivision Plan and to provide a legal opinion to the Planning Board.
4. Attended the Regional Planning Commission meeting held on April 17 in Northampton, MA. An update on the Commonwealth Capital scoring process by Kurt Gaertner, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Also, information on the Valley Vision 2 Smart Growth Toolkit was provided in CD format.
5. The Zoning Chapter 185 for the Code of the Town of Southwick has been updated to November 15, 2007. Posted in the official hard-bound cover book. It includes the Wellhead Protection District bylaw passed at last years Annual Town Meeting. The Town Clerk's office doesn't plan to have spiral bound copies printed until after this year's Annual Town Meeting changes are in place.
6. Received a call from John Foley representing a client who intends to construct a new retail sales building at 691 College Highway North of the Tractor Supply Company site. He will be coming to Town Hall on April 23 at 10:30 AM to meet informally with staff.
7. Made arrangements for a walking tour of proposed Williamsburg Estates subdivision for April 26 (Saturday.)
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 7:05 p.m.
Lynn Boscher, Executive Director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce presented the following in support of the proposed zoning changes on College Highway.
April 22, 2008
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: 413-568-1618
The Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors, in support of its Southwick members, has voted to support the proposed zoning change in Southwick on College Highway.
"The zone change is a positive step forward in Southwick's plan to minimize spot zoning and create a positive climate to attract new business in an orderly and constructive way. The increased business tax base is a plus because it has minimal effect on Southwick's infrastructure and provides much needed added revenue for the support of town services." said Chamber Chairman Joseph Young.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:15 p.m. Jimmy's Landscaping CHO
Jimmy Stellato of 98 Vining Hill Road applied for a CHO permit to have an office in his residence for a business called Jimmy's Landscaping. He stated that there would be no customers on the premises, no business sign, no trucks or heavy duty equipment and no additional employees.
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Chunglo to approve the CHO application as reviewed. The vote was unanimous.
7:20 p.m. Southwick Seamless Gutters CHO
Mike Lyons of 37 George Loomis Road applied for a CHO permit to have an office in his residence for a business called Southwick Seamless Gutters. He stated that there would be no customers on the premises, no business sign, no trucks or heavy duty equipment and no additional employees.
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Chunglo to approve the CHO application as reviewed. The vote was unanimous.
7:30 p.m. 5 Whalley Way Public Hearing Continued
Mr. Moglin spoke to the application of Steven Phillips for Rotin Realty for Nitor Laser Engraving Business on 5 Whalley Way regarding the drainage. The applicant could not attend the meeting. Mr. Phelps said that Mr. Shute sent a letter to Mr. Jeff Neece, DPW, explaining the drainage in Whalley Way. He said there is a separator in the street drain. Therefore, he felt that the detention basin and the check dams would filter the storm water and the over flow would make its way to the street drains. Mr. Phelps had an updated print from Mr. Shute. Mr. Moglin said that there needs to be an oil and water separator when they resubmit their site plan. Mr. Phelps said that Mr. Neece said that there should not be anything connected to the storm drain system and that the detention basin should stand on its own. Mr. Johnson asked who does the annual
inspections. Mr. Moglin said that the business is responsible to remove the oil from the drainage system.
The plan indicated that they brought the loading platform back further making room for a fire truck.
Mr. Moglin said he would ask Mr. Phelps to draft a decision on the oil and water separator and other drainage connection. The Board will need a new plan.
The Public Hearing was closed at 7:40p.m.
7:45 p.m. 65 Hudson Drive Special Permits
Mr. Phelps presented two Special Permits for Z & Z Tool Manufacturing located on 65 Hudson Drive. One permit is for the use and one is for the wellhead protection district. Mr. Moglin said the following Board members attended the Public Hearing: Doug Moglin, Chairman, Roz Terry, Vice Chairman, Bob Johnson, Sam Santaniello, Cal Chunglo and Richard Utzinger, Associate.
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Chunglo to grant a Special Permit in the Well Head Protection District for Z & Z Tool Manufacturing at 65 Hudson Drive. The roll call vote was unanimous.
A MOTION was made by Mrs.Terry and seconded by Mr. Mr. Johnson for a Special Permit and Site Plan approval to Z & Z Tool Manufacturing to construct a 4,000 square foot building for tool manufacturing within the Industrial Restricted Zone. The roll call vote was unanimous.
5 Whalley Way
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Johnson to grant a Special Permit within the Well Head Protection District for Rotin Realty for 5 Whalley Way. The roll call vote was unanimous.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Terry to grant a Special Permit and site plan approval to construct a 4,650 square foot building for a Laser Marking and Engraving business within the Industrial Restricted Zone at 5 Whalley Way. The roll call vote was unanimous.
8:00 p.m. Stonewall Estates Preliminary Subdivision Plan
Mr. Utzinger recused himself from the discussion. Mr. Moglin said that the Board had looked at this project on March 25th. Mr. Levesque had brought in both a conventional plan and a flexible plan. Mr. Levesque and David Paine of Levesque Associates representing ABU Development were present. Mr. Levesque said that there was a question of how much open space was on the plan. He said that there was 51.8 acres of open space with the FRD plan. He identified the property of the three owners, Mr. Utzinger, Mr. Arnold and Ms. Brown. He said that an FRD plan is a better, cleaner approach and much more environmentally sensitive. He said that the road is 4500 linear feet but they stopped at the 2200 maximum. Mrs. Terry asked if the remainder of the land that is not included would be available for future development. Mr. Levesque replied that it
was counted as open space but there is some potential for future development. Mrs. Terry said that although all three properties were being included in the development there is some remaining land that is still owned by the three property owners. The response was yes. Mr. Moglin asked if Mr. Levesque had the name of the subdivision, the list of abutters and any requests for waivers, and this is only a preliminary plan.
Mr. Moglin asked the Board if there is any merit to do the plan conventionally and connecting John Mason Road to South Loomis Street. The Board did not feel that this did make sense between the wetlands and grades.
There was a brief discussion concerning the access road, existing and possible new driveway and stream crossing.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mrs. Terry to grant Preliminary Subdivision Approval for a Flexible Residential Subdivision: "Stonewall Estates." The vote was unanimous.
Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Johnson, SECONDED by Mr. Chunglo to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Preston
Recording Secretary
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