Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes for July 26th, 2006

Amended and Approved August 9th, 2006

 

Planning Board Attendees

Eli Hauser - Chair

Wayne Bradley

Arnold Cohen – Vice Chair

Paul Lauenstein

Amanda Sloan - Clerk

 

 

Attendees

Peter O’Cain – Assistant Town Engineer

Nick Mirrione – Mirrione Realty

Alice Cheyer

Walter Mirrione – Mirrione Realty

Scott Faria – Gallagher Engineering

Jon Shocket

 

Meeting Initiation

Meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm by Vice-Chair Arnold Cohen until Mr. Hauser’s arrival at 7:45pm.

 

Meeting Discussion

 

1.      Chair’s Report

·         Performed by Mr. Hauser.

 

2.      Form A

·         None to report.

 

3.      Sign Review

·         None to report.

 

4.      Subdivision Status

·         Eisenhower Extension

Mr. O’Cain informed the Board that the Town Bylaws state concrete sidewalks are required.    Mr. Shocket appeared before the Board to ask for an asphalt sidewalk waiver for the Eisenhower Extension subdivision. He is willing to provide the town with a project to compensate for his savings of approximately $11,750; Mr. O’Cain suggested either the Sharon Tree Fund or drainage project for Prince Way. Mr. O’Cain will investigate the possibilities.

 

·         Hunter’s Ridge

1.      Mr. O’Cain informed the Board that Mr. Mirrione plans for a concrete block retaining wall along the Huntington Avenue side of Hunter's Ridge which represents a change from the original grassed slope approved on the Definitive Plan.  This would provide the houses with a 20 foot backyard instead of a slope.  The Board members were concerned about how the CSD bylaw relates to this; is it open space, or private property? It was also expressed by Ms. Sloan that a concrete wall provides a more corporate appearance and residents are viewing walls instead of grass. Mr. Cohen wants to study the issue; although esthetic, determine its scope and potential need for a public hearing. Mr. Faria, Engineer for Mr.Mirrione stated it is a minor issue that will have no effect. Ms. Sloan stated it is not just landscaping issues but it is a major structure. After much discussion, Mr. Mirrione decided he did not want to proceed with the wall and ended the conversation regarding this topic.

 

2.      The second issue discussed by Mr. Mirrione was the Jacobs and Bradley land drainage issue. They requested to take a flex pipe to tie to the catch basin. Mr. O’Cain said it was not a problem because it would not contribute a significant flow to the town drainage system. Under the original plan there was a provision to address the problem and this is a new solution. Mr. O’Cain told the Board, this is a minor modification to the approved plan. He will calculate the numbers for the amount of water. Mr. Cohen moved to approve the drainage change subject to Mr. O’Cain’s water calculation. Mr. Lauenstein seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Mr. Bradley recused himself from the discussion regarding the wall and drain.

 

5.      Meeting Minutes of 7/12/06

·          Approval deferred to next meeting

 

6.      Section 4370

·         Mr. Lauenstein discussed the town meeting vote in 2001 which passed the recreation bylaw. It was determined that this was not added to the bylaws. It relates to golf courses. Mr. Lauenstein checked with the Town Clerk and it was approved under recreational subdivision. As it was voted in Town Meeting, it belongs in the zoning bylaws.

 

7.      Town Meeting  Articles

The specific articles pertaining to Shape Factor, Inclusionary Zoning and Typos were discussed as follows below.

 

Mr. Hauser asked Mr. O’Cain to provide 6 – 8 slides with lot shapes that would and would not conform to the Shape bylaw; specifically requesting 3 illustrations for each condition in preparation for the package for Town Meeting. Mr. O’Cain to provide additional language regarding the Lot Shape Factor to Ms. Levitts via email.

 

Discussion was postponed until the PB meeting of August 9th.

 

Additionally there are minor typos in the Zoning Bylaws which do not need to go to Town Meeting but can be amended by Ms. Levitts. Mr. Hauser suggested they be edited back in.  

 

Mr. Bradley reviewed all proposed changes to the CSD article with the Board. He indicated that three public meetings were held, there were widespread comments from the community and that the proposed changes addressed these issues. These included providing additional checks and balances; professional help in the review process; modifying density bonuses; increasing buffer areas; and restriction on excavation and large scale cleaning. Intense discussion occurred throughout the review. Mr. Bradley agreed to make changes and forward to group as well as Ms. Levitts for posting in the Advocate.

 

Next Meeting

August 9th 2006, 7:30 pm, Town Hall, Lower Level

 

Meeting Adjournment

Mr. Hauser moved to adjourn meeting at 11:30 PM; Mr. Lauenstein seconded the motion; passed unanimously.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Rachelle F. Levitts

 Administrative Assistant