August 12, 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 7:10 p.m. by Mr. Moglin.
TOWN PLANNER’S REPORT: 7:10 p.m.
1. Worked with several Town staff to prepare the submission for the Commonwealth Capital score that is due on August 15. For FY 2009 the Town will request a score of 71 out of a possible 140 points.
2. Met with SAGE Engineering on 8/6/08 for a technical review of the site plans for the TOVA Realty project located at 31 Hudson Drive. Jeff Neece, Don Morris and myself provided comments on bylaw compliance and design specifications. A public hearing on this project is scheduled for August 26.
3. Prepared the paperwork for a zone change request for 787 College Highway (Silan) and another for 76 Sunnyside Road (Bannish). Public Hearings are scheduled for September 23.
4. Received a Special Permit application from Westfield Gas and Electric for their project located off Pineywood Road and within the Wellhead Protection District. A public hearing on this project will be scheduled for September 23.
5. Received a Special Permit and Site Plan Review application from Ron Humason for a new building to be located at 58 Sam West Road in the Wellhead Protection District. A public hearing on this project will be scheduled for September 23.
6. Contacted Michelle Hill, Town Treasurer, on the status of the Pine Knoll III bond. The bond in the form of a letter of credit has been released by the bank and can not be reopened.
7. Received a request from David Hall for information on the Williamsburg Estates definitive plan. His attorney came into the Town Clerk’s office and reviewed files. Town Clerk provided copies of the requested information with additional copies from the Planning Board files.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: 7:28 p.m.
There were no public comments.
APPOINTMENTS:
PB Acceptance of Funds Discussion
Mr. Moglin inquired as to why there were questions about why the Planning Board does not accept money. Ruth explained that she received a check for 58 Sam West Road project. She told the Town Clerks office that the Planning Board does not handle money. Michelle Hill, the Town Clerk, asked when this decision was made and why. Ruth looked through past minutes and could not find and mention of this. Mr. Moglin said during his time in office the Planning Board did not accept money. Mrs. Terry said that this came up when she worked on the new Special Permit application. She said that the Town Clerks’ office did not feel comfortable accepting money if they do not know if an application is complete. They did not want to be responsible to determine whether an application was complete. The Planning Board is not always available to accept
Special Permits and does not have a cash box or method to accept funds. Mrs. Terry designed a new application with a check list at the top so that The Town Planner can check off the boxes and the Town Clerk can tell if an application is complete. It never did get resolved because the acceptance of the new application has not happened. Mrs. Terry will complete the new application and send it out to every one. She reminded the Board that this was only for a Special Permit.
Work Session
7:28 p.m. Signage Visitors: Economic Development Committee
Craig Samuelson of the Economic Development Committee presented for review to the Planning Board a variety of sign regulations that he had from surrounding towns. Mr. Phelps said that they had a letter of transmittal on October 12, 2000 of updated bylaws from the Planning Board that had been presented to the Town Selectmen. It never went to Town meeting. Mr. Moglin said that the Planning Board wants to get the input from the EDC and the business community on revising the sign bylaw. He said that the Town has one that works but it is in need of improvement. Some of the major problems with the present by-law are there are no restrictions to the area of the building, temporary signs, and enforcement. There are also no height restrictions. Mr. Moglin said that the sign regulations are based on the square feet of the building. He said that
the Planning Board would like to have this in place when the state reconstructs a two mile stretch of College Highway. Mrs. Terry said that the revised Town bylaw needs to be in place before those signs are going back up. Many of those signs are close if not in the way of construction. Many of the present signs will have to be taken down. This would be an opportune moment to redesign those signs. Mrs.Terry said that if a business wanted to put a sign in the state right of way the business would have to apply to the state. The state rules for signs are very complicated and strict. They are more directional and quite different from the Town by-laws. Mr. Moglin said that the Board planned to meet with the EDC and get a draft of what they were thinking and then have an informational meeting. Then there would be a formal public hearing for the bylaw and then go to Town meeting. Mr. Samuelson has a list of business owners that he would use to inform them of the meetings. The Town has a
list of property owners which is different from business owners. The Southwick Center Revitalization Committee, a sub committee of the Planning Board, and Chaired by Mr. Santaniello will hold a joint meeting with Mr. Stinehart and local business owners who will be affected by the College Highway construction. Mrs.Terry said that the last dates she had for the College Highway construction was supposed to start the in September or October of 2009, and phase two was supposed to start in 2011. Therefore, the bylaw needs to be in place by 2009. Mr. Moglin said that the state is widening the road and putting sidewalks on both sides of the road. Some of the issues with signs are regulations for temporary signs, free standing signs and their locations, the lighting of signs and plaza signs and height restriction. There also needs to be a sunset clause in the bylaw to bring all non conforming signs into conformity. Craig Samuelson said that historically when the bylaw was designed the
question came up “How enforceable is this?” Craig Samuelson asked if the Planning Board wanted to set up a subcommittee to work on the sign bylaw. Mr. Moglin said he wanted to have one more combined meeting. Craig Samuelson suggested that the sub committee will consist of 2 Planning Board members, 2 EDC members, and 1 business owner.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Chunglo and seconded by Mr. Johnson to form a sign bylaw sub committee. The motion was passed unanimously.
8:39 p.m. Phase 2 Sewer System Visitors: Sewer Implementation Committee
The Sewer Committee said that they were unable to attend the Planning Board meeting. The Planning Board will attend Sewer Implementation System meeting on August 26 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MINUTES
A MOTION was made by Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Santaniello to accept the minutes of July 15, 2008. The motion was passed unanimously.
A MOTION was made by Mrs. Terry and seconded by Mr. Santaniello to accept the minutes of July 29, 2008. The motion was passed unanimously.
Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Johnson, SECONDED by Mr. Chunglo to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Vote was unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Preston
Recording Secretary
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