Planning Board Meeting Minutes

 

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mrs. Terry. She stated that the meeting was being recorded and asked if anyone in the audience was recording the meeting.

PLANNER’S REPORT: 7:00 P.M.

1. Attended the Department Head meeting on Tuesday April 28, 2016. All departments shared projects. The Planning Board copier, scanner and printer no longer works and no replacement parts are available because of its age. A rental is in use for now. A budget for a replacement will have to be made with the help from other departments at next year’s budget meeting.

2. Continued conversations with an applicant for the installation of a ground mounted solar array for Tannery Road that will be submitted with all the regulations. They will be asking for a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for frontage set back on a corner property must meet 75 foot setback on both streets.

3. Received a Sign permit after the agenda had been posted for 587 B-1 College Highway for a proposed barber shop sign. It has been added to the revised agenda.

4. Received a sign application for 445 College Highway for a free standing sign that will be illuminated internally.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  7:05 p.m.

There were no public comments.

 

Mrs. Terry said the Board reviewed this at the last meeting and the application was missing a photo of the free standing sign. Mr. Slessler said the applicant told him the free standing sign is illuminated. He said they are not changing the lighting. The Board members reviewed the application.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to approve the sign for 445 College Highway as presented to the Planning Board. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Slessler said the application is for a 605 square foot ground mounted solar array to be located at the rear of 9 Robin Road. Mrs. Terry said a building permit application is included in the site plan. She said the applicant came to the Board on April 19, 2016 but some details were missing. The property is located in the Residential 40 zone (R40). Mr. Slessler said that they are allowed up to 1,000 square feet. Mrs. Terry said that abutters need not be notified. The application needs only be reviewed and for site plan review. The Board reviewed the Zoning Solar penal bylaw.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to approve the application for 105 square feet of ground mounted solar panels for personal use on 9 Robin Road. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Gary Moran, from Moran Sign Company, represented the applicant for the sign on 587 College Highway.  Mrs. Terry said this space has never been before the Planning Board. Mr. Moran said this space was just created. He said it is a small space. Mr. Moran said Mr. Zanto wants all the signs on the building to look the same. He wants a box that matches the color of the wall with the letters set in so the box disappears into the background. He said the frame is 36 inches x 59 inches. He said the barber pole will not revolve. The sign is 28 square feet. Mr. Slessler said that the frontage of the business is within the zoning bylaw. He said it is less than 10% of the total façade. The Board referred to the sign bylaw.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Ballard to accept Mr. Moran’s revised size of the sign for 587 College Highway. The motion passed unanimously.

 

The Board reviewed the decision for a Special Permit and a Site Plan review for 43 Hudson Drive for professional offices located in the Industrial Restricted zone (IR).

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Doherty to approve the Special Permit and Site Plan in the IR zone for 43 Hudson Drive. The motion passed unanimously.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Doherty to approve a Well Head Protection District Permit in the IR zone for Site Plan Approval for 43 Hudson Drive. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mrs. Terry asked if the applicant has any more information for the project. Randy Brown, 91 Fred Jackson Road, said there was no new information. Mrs. Terry asked if he would have a plan ready that could be sent out to other Boards. Mr. Brown said yes.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to continue the Public hearing for 41 & 51 John Mason Road to May 24, 2016 at 7:15 p.m.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

No minutes were presented.

 

Mrs. Patterson spoke with Tony Judge a member of the South Hadley Redevelopment Authority.  He stated that South Hadley was exactly where Southwick is now in early planning. They have a similar Town government. He said he would welcome any questions, but felt Kathy McCabe (their consultant) would be a better person to provide guidance for the next step. He said she was vetted, has a proven track record and would go the extra mile.

Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton, SECONDED by Mr. Utzinger to adjourn at 8:20 p.m.  Vote was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Preston

Planning Board Administrative Assistant