TOWN OF SHARON
PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of a Meeting of the Planning Board held on May 19, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., in the Town Offices.
PRESENT: SAMUEL SOLOMON, ACTING CHAIR
ELI HAUSER
ARNOLD COHEN
PETER O’CAIN, ASST. TOWN ENGINEER
Business Transacted:
I. Meeting called to order. The Minutes of the May 5, 2004, meeting were reviewed and accepted with corrections.
FORM A PLANS
None.
SIGN REVIEW
None.
II. SITE PLAN REVIEW – SHARON COOPERATIVE BANK
Sharon Cooperative Bank (the “Bank”) came before the Board to discuss the placement of two temporary banners on their establishment, pursuant to the Board’s site plan review regulation.
There would be two banners – one over the entrance to the Bank and the other at the overhang at the drive-up teller. Both signs would be blue with gold letters, and they anticipated them being there for approximately six months.
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Administrative Assistant
Minutes of Meeting Page Two May 19, 2004
Mr. Cohen asked if allowing this would not defeat the purpose of the regulation if every building could put up banners all over the place?
Mr. Hauser said that they were being done professionally, nicely and he did not have a problem with this. If there was no regulation governing temporary banners, than perhaps the by-law should be changed. He sees this as a reasonable sign, one that is temporary.
Mr. Cohen suggested that perhaps it should be made smaller. He was concerned that any store could put in as many signs as they wanted and they could say they were temporary. Mr. Cohen further stated that as much as he appreciates the Bank being a good business in Town, this would contradict the law by allowing just anything. This is an additional sign that would actually be larger than any sign allowed. Just because it is temporary doesn’t mean it shouldn’t follow requirements.
The Bank representative at this point stated that he would take this issue off the table and revisit it at a later time.
Mr. Hauser again suggested that the by-law should be changed to address temporary signs. Mr. Solomon agreed with Mr. Hauser adding that a recommended size of the sign should be addressed as well as the amount of time it would be allowed to be there.
III. LAND SWAP DISCUSSION WITH CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Greg Meister, Conservation Commission Agent, came in to meet with the Board regarding this matter.
Minutes of Meeting Page Three May 19, 2004
Mr. Solomon explained that the idea came up to find Town-owned land that could be swapped with Conservation land to make it available for affordable housing. Mr. O’Cain had prepared maps showing all parcels that were Town owned and that were Conservation owned.
Mr. Meister said that he would have to bring this issue to the Conservation Commission’s (“ConCom”) full board for discussion. He also stated that he was not aware of any ConCom land that would not have some type of restriction on it, making it unlikely that such a swap could be arranged. However, he would bring this matter before the ConCom. for their opinion.
Ms. Cheyer said that the ConCom land is donated for a reason, whether it be because they are wetlands or just land to be preserved. She didn’t understand why the Planning Board was approaching the ConCom instead of approaching the Town.
Mr. Solomon answered that the Board is investigating all Town owned land. There are certain parcels that are better suited for this type of development than others, being that they are in a better location for this type of housing. Mr. Solomon pointed out that the reason the Board is pursuing this is that this Town has a great need for affordable housing.
The Board and Mr. Meister spent some time going over the different parcels for potential swaps.
Mr. George Bailey suggested to the Board that the Oakland Road area should be considered for this type of affordable housing, but of course they would have to have a treatment plant. Mr. O’Cain added that all of the Town’s wells are in that area.
Minutes of Meeting Page Four May 19, 2004
Mr. Hauser suggested to Mr. Meister that perhaps the ConCom could find a 20 acre parcel that has minimal constraints, with good access to surrounding roads. You need to feed the Town with pro-active marketing to get this plan moving. You have to present the whole picture and not go neighborhood by neighborhood.
Some possible lots that were identified for affordable housing development were:
· Three lots off Barefoot Hill Road
· Sandy Ridge
· Oakland Road town owned land
· Housing authority land near Hixson Farm
· Privately owned land near Route 95
· Property off Hampden near Oakhill
· Wilber school
· Five acres on the back side of the landfill.
Mr. Cohen also suggested that the Board look at the Town of Andover and see how they reached their required 10% of affordable housing. They are now exempt from any further 40B’s.
IV. EO418
The Board reviewed and discussed information regarding the EO418.
V. There being no further business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
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