Planning Board Minutes

The regularly scheduled meeting of the Planning Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mr. Phelps. He 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. Received renewal plans for the Tilcon Sand and Gravel operation of Hudson Drive. The Zoning Officer Mr. Lawler and I inspected the site and found it in order.

2. Reviewed 31 Ranch Club Drive for the relocation of open space to be added to 31 Ranch Club Drive.

3. Continued conversations with EverSource proposed solar project. Received revised landscaping plans, relocation of driveway at Feeding Hills Road and the staked out southerly solar line.

4. Had conversations with R Lévesque Associates INC reference to 32 Sam West Road final plans and drainage computations. May have a continuance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:  7:05 p.m.

There were no public comments.

Mr. Phelps said he attended a meeting of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and there is a lot of information being reviewed about marijuana and when the Sub Committee meets there will be information available from the PVPC. He said the Marijuana Sub Committee is scheduled to meet on June 27, 2017.

 

Mr. John Goddard of R. Lévesque Associates represented the applicant, Victor Crusselle, requesting a Special Permit amendment for 31 Ranch Club Road. He said the request is to take a modest amount of grass land from the open space and add to 31 Ranch Club Road. Present was Mr. Davyn McGuire, the home owner of 31 Ranch Club Road. Mr. Goddard said that the Ranch is required to preserve 40% of the land and presently preserved 47%. He said the owner has the approval from the Home Owners Association to acquire this 1.7% reduction with this transfer of land. He said they are requesting that the prospective decision be conditioned on the approval of the State Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. Mr. McGuire wants to install a fence to the tree line. He said there are no structures on the property.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mr. Utzinger to close the hearing for 31 Ranch Club Road. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Mr. Phelps read a memo from the Randy Brown the DPW Director (SEE ATTACHMANET A) and a memo from the Southwick Police Department (SEE ATTACHMENT B).

Ms. Lefebvre said they made the improvements to the plans that were suggested by the DPW Director. She said that Sergeant Sanders requested they move the driveway and showed on the plan the revised driveway. The engineer for TRC said there was a cull de sac on the plan and they have changed it to a turn around. Ms. Lefebvre said the landscaping consists of about 100 planting. She said there is coverage in the winter time. She said the fence around the project is a national requirement. She said they have a schedule for construction that takes into consideration of the school bus schedule. Mr. Slessler said there was a bond requirement as part of the solar bylaw that has a requirement for the removal of the solar panels when no longer needed. Mr. Sylvester said it is also part of the base of EverSource. Mr. Phelps said that if EverSource has a blanket policy for the removal of the panels they may want to work with the Town Planner and the Town Treasurer to find out if it would be acceptable in the Permit decision. Mr. Utzinger said he would prefer they buried the cable under Feeding Hills Road while it is beingreconstructed.

 A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Ms. Ackerman to close the hearing for 68 Feeding Hills Road. The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

There was no discussion,

A MOTION was made by Mr. Sutton and seconded by Mr. Utzinger to continue the hearing for 32 Sam West Road to July 11, 2017 at 7:15 p.m. The motion passed unimously

 

Mr. Phelps read a letter from the Building Inspector regarding the Tilcon INC application. (SEE ATTACHMENT C). Mr. Slessler said he went out with the Building inspector visiting the site and found the site in order.                 

A MOTION was made by Ms. Ackerman and seconded by Mr. Sutton to grant the permit renewal request by Tilcon Inc. The motion passed unanimously.

 

An application for a sign for 671 College Highway was presented to the Board. Mr. Slessler reviewed the sign and it was found to be within the Town Sign bylaw requirements.

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Ms. Ackerman to recommend the sign for 671 College Highway. The motion passed unanimously.

 

A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger and seconded by Mr. Sutton to accept the minutes of June 6, 2017. The Motion passed unanimously

Being no further business to be brought before the Board, A MOTION was made by Mr. Utzinger, SECONDED by Mr. Sutton to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.  Vote was unanimous.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Preston

Planning Board Administrative Assistant