Planning Board Meeting Minutes

 

                                        

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 pm by Mr. Doherty. He stated that the meeting was being recorded and asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting.

PLANNER’S REPORT: 7:00 PM

1. Attended a special meeting on April 4, 2016 with the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board to approve and sign Land Taking and Easement maps for Feeding Hills Road construction project.

2. Supplied information to potential applicant for a solar site easterly on Sam West Road.

3. There was an inquiry regarding the use of a medical marijuana dispensary on 662 College Highway.

4. Reviewed plans for 43 Hudson Drive for a Special Permit for medical offices. Previous Special Permit has expired on September 3, 2015.

5. Reviewed additional information from the Police Department, the Fire Department and the Town Attorney for the proposed Disk Golf Course

6. The Owner of 1 Hudson Drive would like to rotate the approved proposed storage facilities.  Recommended that he talk to the Planning Board informally on April 26, 2016.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  7:05 pm

There were no public comments.

 

Mr. Doherty opened the Public Hearing for the Town Overlay District. Mr. Slessler said they were going to look at other communities that have a Town Center District and use them as a model to help with the Overlay plan. He said there is a Business District Model Bylaw that is more of a template put out by the Smart Growth Energy Tool Kit. He said that in our conversations we have discussed a lot of it. The model talked about putting the parking in the back and having businesses on the first floor and residences on the second floor with entrances in the back. He said that most of the document does not pertain to Southwick. He said the Town of Dracut Overlay District plan was the one that could be useful as an example for Southwick.

The Board discussed having an intern to help with the project. Mrs. Patterson said that in driving through Town she noticed grass patches in front of each business abutting the sidewalk. She said this looks good but not all business had a green area. She thought this would provide visual continuity to the Town Center. Mr. Slessler said he has about a dozen different Town Center plans and he can send them out again to refresh the Board members minds. The Board members discussed the need for a Master Plan but agreed there is no funding available. Mr. Doherty suggested a discussion with other towns and find out from where they received their funds. He asked that Mrs. Patterson do some research to find out how other Towns have created a master plan.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to continue the Town Overlay District Public Hearing to April 26, 2016 at 7:35 pm

 

Mr. Doherty opened the Public Hearing for Chapter 315.  Mr. Brown, the DPW Director, joined the Planning Board for the discussion. Each member was given a complete Chapter 315 including all changes. Mr. Slessler said that he and Mr. Brown reviewed the changes. He said there was a lot added and may items brought up to code. He said some of the terminology was 40 years old. Mr. Brown had a copy of the complete revised Chapter 315. He said he would send Mrs. Preston the pages of diagrams that would complete the project and she would forward them onto the Board members. He said that he was satisfied with the changes made to Chapter 315. Mr. Doherty said he would continue the hearing to the next meeting.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to continue the Public Hearing for Chapter 315 to April 26, 2106 at 7:12 pm The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Doherty opened the public hearing for 41 & 51 John Mason Road.  He read the documents that have been received since the last meeting.  He read the letter from the Police Department stating there were no problems with the application (See Attachment A). He read the letter from the Fire Department which said they had inspected the site and were fine with the application (See Attachment B).  He read the letter from DPW from Mr. Grannells who is taking the lead on this project since Mr. Brown is taking part in the application. He read the letter which stated that he concurred with Sergeant Sanders about the routes to be used for gravel removal and had some recommendations for the access way to and from the property to protect the roads from further damage (See Attachment C). He said that he would read the summary section from the letter sent by Southwick Town Council Attorney Beglane and then make the letter available for anyone in attendance to review it. Attorney Beglane was in attendance and agreed to allow Mr. Doherty to proceed as stated. The letter from Attorney Beglane stated that he found no problems with the application (See Attachment D).  Mr. Doherty asked the Board for questions or comments. There were none. He asked Attorney Beglane if he wanted to address the Board. He said that he addressed all the concerns in the letter. Mr. Doherty asked Mrs. Brown if she wished to continue with her application based on the additional information just read. She acknowledged that she did wish to proceed with her application. Mr. Brown said he would like to speak. Mrs. Terry at the last meeting requested a layout of the disc golf course. He presented the layout design of the disc golf course with 18 holes. He pointed out a nine hole mini disc golf course for children. He said in order to get the disc golf course they are amenable to withdrawing the earth excavation permit. He said they will need a revised site plan to show the changes. He said the parking area will be located in a separate area of the property. Mr. Doherty asked is the change that is being made to make earth removal 1,000 cubic yards or less. He said the parking will be located in a different area around the access road which will require less earth removal. Mr. Doherty said he understood that the removal of earth would help with the drainage. He asked if the drainage is going to be impacted because of the change. Mr. Brown said that it will not be as effective a drainage system as originally projected. Mr. Patterson asked if he was going to have multiple parking spaces as opposed to one. He said it will be in a different area then originally shown. He said it will be closer to the main entry by 500 feet. Mrs. Patterson asked where overflow parking for tournaments be located. He said they may park some along the access road. Mr. Utzinger asked how many parking spaces will there be. Mr. Brown said there will be 25 parking spaces as were originally planned. Mrs. Patterson asked if there would be any abutters that may be hit by a flying disc or land on other people’s property. Mr. Brown said he cannot at this time say there will be no materials taken off the site. Mr. Slessler said that as soon as he has revised plans he would like to send them out to other Town Departments. Mr. Doherty wants to make sure the will be no impact on the site and the neighborhood.

Mr. Tortoriello, of 3 George Loomis Road said that what Mrs. Brown is doing is perfectly legal. He suggested she submit a performance bond. Mr. Doherty said the plan now being submitted will not require an earth excavation permit based on the revised plan. He said they do not need to put up a performance bond.

Mr. Doherty asked Attorney Schneider if he had any issues now that the earth excavation permit was being withdrawn. Attorney Schneider said he had none. He said that none of the arguments presented had anything to do with the Disc Golf Course. He said he had no need to show the visual presentation. Mrs. Brown agreed to withdraw the permit for excavation. Mr. Doherty said the Board will need a new site plan; and they must complete the review with Conservation.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to withdraw the application for 185 section 33 for Earth Excavation without prejudice. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mr. Ballard to continue the Public Hearing for 41 & 51 John Mason Road until April 26 at 7:45 pm The motion passed unanimously.

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to approve the minutes of March 8, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mr. Ballard to approve the minutes of March 22, 2016. The motion passed unanimously.

Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton, SECONDED by Mr. Utzinger to adjourn at 8:15 pm  Vote was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Preston

Planning Board Administrative Assistant