TOWN OF SHARON
PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Board held on August 13, 2003, at 8:00 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 ENGINEER
Business Transacted:
I. Meeting called to order.
FORM A PLANS
None.
SIGN REVIEW
None.
II. L. BROWN RE: 40B DISCUSSION
Ms. Brown came in to update the Board. She provided copies of the following information:
· Lexington language re: Business and Office Districts.
· A model by-right cluster by-law
· Great Estate Preservation development language from Ipswich.
· The Lexington version of cluster development.
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Administrative Assistant
Minutes of Meeting Page Two August 13, 2003
There was some discussion about the CSD, with Mr. Tran suggesting that maybe the information about it should be kept at the Town Engineer’s office to hand out to developers as they come in for information. An explanation of how double density works could be kept with it. Mr. O’Cain said that you don’t have many 10+ acre parcels left in the Town for development. Also, most of these builders are small time, who are used to single family homes. That is all they know.
Mr. Tran then suggested that the Board should consider dropping the requirement to five-acre lots instead of ten. They could be encouraged to build some senior housing as part of the double density allowance, which would be beneficial to the Town. Ms. Brown agreed that dropping the acreage requirement would be a good idea, as any CSD subdivision would provide more green space even though there is an increase in density.
Ms. Maniscalco asked Ms. Brown what the “by right” was. Ms. Brown explained that every piece of property has to have some economic use. As long as you meet the zoning requirements for that piece of land, you can do what the allowed use is for that land.
Ms. Brown also distributed the following information:
· A sample agreement for affordable apartments
· Affordable housing pieces
· Government task force information
· Language of Cape Cod’s provisions for affordable housing apartments
Ms. Brown indicated that she was working on having more development drafts for the Board in September and that the next step for the Board would be to set up more public hearings on this issue.
Minutes of Meeting Page Three August 13, 2003
III. S. RABB – COBB’S CORNER
Mr. Tran explained that he had contacted Mr. Rabb and invited him to come in to this meeting when Mr. Tran found out that Mr. Rabb was interested in purchasing some of the lots at Cobb’s Corner. Mr. Tran explained to Mr. Rabb that the Board was interested in rezoning some of those lots, so the Board would be interested in what Mr. Rabb was planning to do.
Mr. Rabb explained that he was a “townie” having grown up in Sharon. He dabbles in real estate. He has been interested in the residential corner at Cobb’s Corner for commercial development. Three houses are currently for sale and he has spoken with the owners. He has also spoken with the owner of one of the adjoining houses that is not currently for sale. Mr. Rabb has met with Mr. O’Cain several times to obtain information on the lots and general zoning information.
There currently is no development plan in mind, as there are still many outstanding issues. He is also seeking information and input from the Planning Board as to what they would like to see in this area. Mr. Rabb said that Mr. Tran informed him that the Board was seeking to rezone this area; that the Board was still undecided as to whether to go with a new Business District or a Professional District. Mr. Tran did inform Mr. Rabb that no matter what the Board decided, zoning issues have to go before Town Meeting for approval.
Mr. Tran asked Mr. Rabb what, in his opinion, would be the best zoning change for this area. Mr. Rabb was more in favor of a Business A District as he felt it was more flexible. The Professional District was a little more limiting.
Mr. Solomon said that before the Board knew that Mr. Rabb was interested in this property, it was leaning towards a Business B designation. The A & C districts are more restrictive.
Minutes of Meeting Page Four August 13, 2003
Mr. Rabb felt that the building location and height was more attractive in the A & C districts. He said it might be good to have some type of mixed use, such as commercial and professional. He informed the Board that he was interested in acquiring all seven parcels on the two corners, including the Cobb’s Tavern.
In wrapping up, Mr. Tran indicated that the Board was amenable to rezoning this area and it seemed that the Business A District would have the most flexibility. Mr. Hauser agreed that the rezoning would be a benefit to the Town as it would create a commercial tax base and create services for the Townspeople. Ms. Maniscalco agreed stating that it was very serendipitous that he and the Board were on the same level at the same time. Mr. Tran said that the Board was happy to work with Mr. Rabb and that they should stay in touch with each other.
IV. CSD DISCUSSION
The Board discussed amending the language in the CSD, among other things, to allow CSD’s in all residential zones and changing the acreage requirement to 5 acres minimum instead of ten.
V. OTHER BUSINESS
· Mr. Tran said that he was informed that the Kendall Trust Property on Walpole Street had a Chapter 61A restriction receiving a tax break for many years. The Trust opted to change this designation to be able to sell some of their property. The Town had a right of first refusal on the property, which it decided not to exercise. However, the Trust needed a release from the Town. Mr. Tran further explained that he learned that the long parcel on Route 27 is being marketed for sale. However, the main parcel on the hill has no plans for development and they do not want to develop it. Regarding the Whaling Museum – there are no current
plans for it. They are looking for a non-profit, tax-exempt organization to do something with the property.
Minutes of Meeting Page Five August 13, 2003
Mr. Hauser said this would be a good opportunity for the Town to do something with this property that would be beneficial to the Town, such as some type of elderly or affordable housing complex. The Town should approach the Kendalls with some unified plan. This should be an item of discussion at a future Board meeting.
· Townsman Square IV – The Board had approved the surety amount at its last meeting. Mr. Solomon moved to accept the surety in the amount of $63,352.00 in the form of a checking account #510822455 with the Dedham Savings Bank. Seconded by Ms. Ostrow and unanimously voted.
· Goldenwoods – Mr. Solomon moved to reduce the surety for this subdivision as per Mr. O’Cain’s memorandum dated 8/13/03. Seconded by Ms. Maniscalco and unanimously voted.
VI. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 11:30 p.m.
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