Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 3/25/09

Amended and Approved on 3/15/2009

 

Planning Board Attendees

Arnold Cohen, Chair 

Susan Price

Paul Lauenstein, Vice Chair

Amanda Sloan 

Eli Hauser, Clerk 

 

 

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer, Consultant

 

Attendees

Richard Secor 6 Sturges Road

Dan Secor 6 Sturges Road

Barb Secor 6 Sturges Road

Ruth Barnert 23 Livingston Road

Gary Shuffain 17 Pond Street

Joe Roach 25 Lakeview Street

Brian Pariser 24 Lakeview Street

Debbie Tatro 10 Sturges Road

Shane Nestler 21 Sturges Road

 

 

Meeting Initiation/Chair’s Report

Vice Chair Lauenstein called the meeting to order at 7:45 PM and conducted the proceedings until Chair Cohen’s arrival.

 

Site Plan Approval

Mr. O’Cain presented an application for site plan approval in Post Office Square to the Board. He stated that the owner of the building at 17 Pond Street proposed an addition on the back half of the existing building. He would be adding to the first floor, a five foot bump out and the outside of the building would have vinyl siding. Mr. O’Cain stated that the Building Inspector determines if it complies with the setbacks. It is the Planning Board’s role to comment on aesthetics; to ensure the façade matches the character of the neighborhood. Ms. Price moved to approve the low impact site plan for 17 Pond Street. Mr. Lauenstein seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0-0 to approve.

 

Sign Reviews

None

 

Lakeview Sidewalk Project

Mr. O’Cain prepared a video of Sturges Road to East Foxboro Street including all marked trees to be removed, to depict his plan for the addition of sidewalks to this area and presented it to the Board. Mr. Cohen stated he thinks scenic roads are important and would like the sidewalks built off road. If they are built close to the road then he considers them urban not scenic and suggested locating the sidewalk behind the trees. Mr. Cohen is concerned about plans to build a sidewalk the entire length of Lakeview and if built, in his opinion would ruin it as one of the most scenic roads in the Town unless it was built off road without granite curbing. Mr. O’Cain proposed to replace the 14 trees to be removed. Mr. O’Cain also said that the sidewalk cannot be built all the way down Lakeview because he cannot get easements from all of the neighbors. He stated he prefers to build the sidewalk, as Mr. Cohen suggests however he needs to weigh the Town’s concerns versus the residents. His goal is to keep kids safe. Joe Roach reminded the Board that there are several RFP’s out about Camp Gannett and this will bring more cars down Lakeview Street. He said traffic, cars and people will be constant and said he thinks it makes sense to have a sidewalk.

 

Richard Scalizi of 6 Lakeview Street said the trees to be removed are old and is in favor of their removal before they may cause damage to the homes if they fell.

 

Rich Secor of 6 Sturges Road said it is equally attractive to have sidewalks along the street. The kids need to be safe.

 

Mr. O’Cain said he would discuss the type of trees to plant with the Tree Warden to keep with the appropriateness of the setting. In addition pervious asphalt would be the material used. Ms Sloan agreed with Mr. O’Cain’s offer to plant new trees.

 

Mr. Cohen stated that it may not be within our purview if the Town is having budget problems as far as spending the money to build the sidewalks. Mr. O’Cain said the money was set aside years ago for sidewalk purposes and he will not be using the entire allocated amount.  Mr. Roach interjected that Avalon Bay turned down sidewalks and made a gift to the Town of $310,000 therefore there is an additional $310,000 available to build sidewalks in the community.

 

Mr. Lauenstein moved to approve the plan to build sidewalks according to the Town Engineer’s Plan subject to the pavement being made out of pervious materials and the Town Engineer and Tree Warden working out the number and type of trees that will be replaced; which should be no less than the number that is being removed. The trees need to be planted within one year of removal. The Board voted 4-1-0 in favor of building the sidewalks. Mr. Cohen voted no.

 

Conference in Boston

Mr. Lauenstein reported that he attended a conference in Boston regarding recycled water and that the new projects slated for Sharon would add 75 million gallons per year to the Town’s water use. The majority of the water used in Sharon goes back into the ground via septic systems. Brickstone would use approximately 36 million gallons per year as would Sharon Commons. The Brickstone water will go to the Taunton River Watershed and will have a greater impact on our water supply than neighborhoods within the recharge areas of Sharon’s wells. As it will take a lot of energy to get the water to the top of the hill where the Brickstone development will be located, Mr. Lauenstein suggests using recycled water for irrigation of the golf course, flushing toilets, or for landscaping. He said more than 25% of the water could be saved by recycling.

 

Mr. O’Cain said he worked on the Gillette Stadium project and we would need to convince developers to use recycled water and also having a big enough project to make it work. Mr. O’Cain said it is too late for the Wilber School but we could ask the developers of Sharon Commons to consider recycled water with the building of the 40R project. Mr. Lauenstein said we need to think of the consequences of our actions for future generations. 

 

Chair Report

1.  The chair report was read at 9:15 pm. Mr. O’Cain said he received an email from Mr. Mirrione regarding the refund of earth removal money he had given to the Town. Mr. O’Cain wrote a letter saying there was no road damage so Mr. Mirrione is entitled to his refund.

 

2. Ms. Price stated she reviewed the Sign Bylaws in terms of potential changes, housekeeping changes and recommended corrections. She will follow-up with Ms. Chused.

 

3. Mr. Hauser discussed the plan for Post Office Square and said that the Economic Development Committee will keep having meetings with other boards, including public meetings, in order to try and get the recommendations moving forward. The purpose of the baseline study is not to come up with a design but to get a baseline to develop concepts and get a direction to move forward.  Mr. O’Cain will get quotes to analyze the area.

 

Meeting Minutes

Ms. Price moved to approve the minutes of 3/11/09 as amended. Mr. Hauser seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-1 (Mr. Lauenstein abstained as he was absent at the previous meeting).

 

Next Meeting dates

4/15/09, 4/29/09

 

Meeting Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM. Mr. Hauser moved to close the meeting and Ms. Sloan seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor.