Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 3/26/08

Amended and Approved on 4/9/08

 

Planning Board Attendees

Eli Hauser - Chair   - Absent

Paul Lauenstein 

Arnold Cohen - Vice Chair

Amanda Sloan

Susan Price - Clerk

 

 

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Consultant

 

Attendees

none

 

 

Chair’s Report

The meeting was called to order at 7:40 PM by Vice Chair, Arnold Cohen who read the Chair’s Report.

 

Meeting Minutes

Ms. Price moved to accept the minutes of 3/12/08 as amended. Mr. Lauenstein seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.

 

Sign Review/Bond Approval

None.

 

Form A’s

None.

 

Low Impact Development (LID)

Peter O’Cain provided the Board with various documents including the EPA’s 41 page document that discusses LID and some pros and cons of different techniques, a storm water plan, written by Horsley Witten, that includes the provision of credits for certain LID features, and a brochure from the Town of Boylston which described proposed Storm Water Management and Low Impact Development benefits to the Town in advance of their Town Meeting. The Board and Mr. O’Cain discussed the impacts of construction sites and post development storm water runoff and how it can adversely affect public safety, public and private property, surface water drinking water supplies, groundwater resources, recreation, aquatic habitats and other issues of land and water. They discussed the idea that many of these negative effects may be controlled and minimized through the application of Low Impact Development (LID).

 

Mr. O’Cain stated that a lot of LID-type regulations may already be covered within the current Town regulations and just a few additions could be added. For example, Sharon does not have specific rewards to encourage developers to use features such as green roofs. Ms. Sloan discussed plants on green roofs and the benefit that they absorb up to 90% of the water in the summertime. As 60% of heat is lost from roofs, the extra layer of protection saves energy. Mr. Lauenstein said that LID is a system of credits; it creates more substantive types of buildings. If certain buildings are torn down, LID could be applied.

 

Ms. Sloan and Mr. Lauenstein agreed to work with Mr., O’Cain on the LID process.

 

 

 

 

Other Business

1.      Discussion of statement from the Board of Health regarding Sharon Hills, which said since there are no test holes the lots are not buildable.

2.      Pre Town Meeting is 5/1/08 at 7:30 PM.

3.      Ms. Levitts to contact Roni Thaler regarding any articles for Town Meeting as relates to

      the Planning Board.

4.      Mr. O’Cain said he would bring the landscape plan for Hunter’s Ridge to a future meeting for the Board to review.

5.      Continued discussion on Hunter’s Ridge proposed change to the age restriction will be held on 4/30/08.

6.      Mr. O’Cain said that he will have the Tree Warden look at the trees to be marked as relates to Sharon Commons and the 4/9/08 Public Hearing. Mr. Lauenstein requested to walk through the property with the Tree Warden.

 

Next meeting dates through the end of May

·         4/9/08 - Scenic Road Public Hearing at 7:30 PM and Brickstone Public Hearing regarding the Definitive Subdivision Plan at 7:45 PM

·         4/30, 5/14 and 5/28 - additional meetings

 

Meeting Adjournment

Mr. Lauenstein moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 PM and Ms. Price seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.