TOWN OF SHARON
PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Board held on October 29, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Offices.
PRESENT: JOEL TRAN, CHAIR
SAMUEL SOLOMON, VICE CHAIR
REGINA MANISCALCO, CLERK
NADINE OSTROW
ELI HAUSER
PETER O’CAIN, ASST. TOWN ENG.
Business transacted:
I. Meeting called to order.
FORM A PLANS
None.
SIGN REVIEW
None.
II. Mr. Tran reported that he had attended the Finance Committee
meeting on Monday night. Mr. Hershfeld of the ZBA indicated that the ZBA would have enough control to mandate access issues and facades. The ZBA has a lot of oversight as the permit granting authority. Mr. Hershfeld also indicated that he would be writing a letter in support of the zoning articles and would speak to that at Town Meeting.
III. Executive Order 418.
Ms. Maniscalco reported that the community development plan will be due in June, 2004. There were some contracts that indicated a due date of March or April, but extensions are being given to everyone who applies. Ms. Maniscalco will take care of filing for the extension.
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Administrative Assistant
Minutes of Meeting Page Two October 29, 2003
IV. SILVER TREE
Nick Merrione, Fred Clark, Scott Gallagher met with the Board to discuss proposed development of this area. Mr. Merrione explained that they were involved in building age-qualified developments in the area, the latest in Rayham and Easton. They were interested in this previously disapproved subdivision because of the CSD by-law that allows for age-qualified communities to be built. They showed discussion plans to the Board that were set up according to the by-law requirements.
· The subdivision would consist of 43 units.
· It met open space requirements.
· It would be a gated community with private roads.
· The homeowners association would own the roads.
· Easements would be deeded to the Town over the roads and the water system.
· One basic, common drainage system is proposed.
· There will be a community building with a swimming pool.
· The existing houses on the property will be removed.
Mr. Merrione told the Board that they were seeking feedback from the Board before making a formal filing to see if the Town is interested in entertaining this type of proposal.
Mr. Tran said that on the original subdivision plan that was disapproved, the land sloped up ¾ of the way and then drops greatly towards the wetlands. He suggested that the applicant put in a shared septic system in front. Also, the purpose of the CSD is to provide open space available to the public. It does not appear to be public on their plans.
Mr. Hauser inquired as to the size of the homes and Mr. Merrione answered that they would all be two bedroom homes of approximately 1,500 to 2,100 sq. ft., on approximately 10,000 sq. ft. lots.
Mr. Solomon said that a concern he had was that he does not see very much open space – there are yards around houses that are being considered open space. Mr. Merrione answered that they have provided the required open space acreage according to the by-law. Another issue of concern was that he
Minutes of Meeting Page Three October 29, 2003
would like to see the property further clustered or the lots made smaller to provide more contiguous open space. Further, the detention basins are supposed to be on a separate lot that gets deeded to the Town, which is not the case here. Also, because the basins are to be deeded to the Town, they are not considered part of the open space.
Another critical issue Mr. Solomon brought up was that there was no emergency access or egress. That is a serious concern with this many homes. Mr. Merrione said that they could provide this.
Mr. Solomon said that he liked the idea of this subdivision being age qualified, and that this location was good for that type of housing. He did have concerns about traffic off North Main Street and sight distances on either side of the street. The applicant will probably need to request a waiver of these regulations.
Mr. Hauser said that he liked the age-qualified aspect of this subdivision. He is not as concerned about contiguous open space, as long as the requirements for same are met. However, the one thing he felt the Town was missing was a senior center and asked the applicant to think about opening the subdivision’s center to all seniors in the Town. Mr. Hauser further asked them to think about ways they would be able to introduce low income housing and that they said they would look into it. He does share Mr. Solomon’s concerns about the emergency access.
Mr. Tran said that he too was concerned with the lack of a second egress and about the steep slopes around the subdivision. He also asked the applicant to consider adding some affordable units to this subdivision, explaining that it would provide a bonus of extra homes. Mr. Merrione answered that he would look into this.
The Board told Mr. Merrione and company that they were very interested in this type of development and that the applicant was going in the right direction.
Minutes of Meeting Page Four October 29, 2003
V. GOV’T STUDY COMMITTEE
Ms. Rona Wallace came in to meet with the Board as a potential Planning Board designee to the Government Study Committee.
Mr. Tran explained that this Committee was created three years ago to examine how the Town is governed and make recommendations for changes if they are needed. The Planning Board, as well as every other board in the Town, designates one person to act as its representative.
Ms. Wallace gave some background information about herself. She has lived in Sharon for ten years; has served on the Board of Health; she is a lobbyist in the State House; she also does some federal work. After listening to what this appointment would entail, Ms. Wallace said that her main concern would be whether she would have the time to devote to this position. She also said that she would contact the chair of the Committee to get more information on the time commitment and requirements, as well as more detailed information. She would contact the Planning Board at a later date to inform it if she was interested in being the Board’s designee to the Committee.
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
---Johnson’s Hollow Subdivision - Mr. Solomon moved to approve the surety reduction for this subdivision from $60,000.00 to $31,000.00, a reduction of $29,000.00, as per Mr. O’Cain’s memorandum to the Board dated October 28, 2003.
---Horsely & Whitten invoice for services rendered in 2002 – Mr. Solomon moved to pay the invoice in the amount of $5,000.00, from the Kendall Fund. Seconded by Ms. Maniscalco and unanimously voted.
VII. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m.
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