Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 1/27/10

Amended and Approved on 2/24/10

 

Planning Board Attendees

Paul Lauenstein, Chair 

Susan Price, Vice Chair

Eli Hauser

Amanda Sloan  - absent

David Milowe, Clerk  

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

 

Michael Intoccia - Intoccia Properties

Bob Shelmerdine - Intoccia Properties

Rich  Andrukonis - Intoccia Properties

Kevin Weber - Tree Warden

Debra Stamper - 64 Mountain Street

David McKinley - KBA Foxboro

Katherine Roth - 54 Huntington Avenue

Daniel Huse - 54 Huntington Avenue

 

Chair Report

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chair Paul Lauenstein. Chair Lauenstein stated that he presented the Finance Committee with the Planning Board budget which remained the same as previous years, at $13,600. In addition, Town Engineer, Peter O’Cain was asked to provide Mr. Lauenstein with the current and proposed fees for services he provides while reviewing documents such as Form A’s, J’s etc. 

 

Public Hearing - Notice of Tree Removal

The Planning Board, in conjunction with the Tree Warden, held a scenic roads public hearing to review the proposed removal of street trees located in the right of way in front of the Sharon Middle School located at 75 Mountain Street. Dave McKinley, a landscape architect from Kaestle Boos Associates, Inc, the architects for the Middle School renovations, presented an overview of changes being made to the Middle School including parking, addition of pre-kindergarten, administration offices, tennis courts, addition of parking and an additional lane being added to the street.

 

Debra Stamper of 64 Mountain Street asked if the exit is being changed. Mr. McKinley said it would remain the same, as the sight lines need to remain. 

 

Mr. McKinley stated that a fire lane will be added around the building. Water will not be stored under ground but in infiltration trenches so no water will enter the track. He said that ten trees need to be removed in the right of way due to the pending changes. A new group of trees will be planted to replace those removed in the new tree buffer. The Tree Warden said all trees being removed are small except for a 16 inch oak tree near the entrance. Only trees on the west side of the road are being removed, trees on the east side of the road are not affected. Mr. Hauser asked that the nature of the street be retained as historical. He requested the design mimic the plantings of the neighborhood. He asked that mature trees be added to the buffer to preserve the scenic road. Mr.  Lauenstein asked why the trees need to be removed and the architect stated that this has to occur because they are moving the land eight feet to the west to create the standing lane which will accommodate fifteen cars.

 

Ms. Price moved to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0. No further discussion occurred.

 

Ms. Price moved to approve the tree removal of ten trees on Mountain Street as shown o the Kaestle Boos 1/27/10 plan. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.

 

Eisenhower Drive LLC Bond Reduction

Town Engineer, Peter O’Cain provided the Board with a recommendation to reduce the performance bond for the developer of the Eisenhower Extension subdivision, Eisenhower Drive, LLC, 6 Huron Drive, Natick, MA from $33,000 to $15,000. Ms. Price moved to reduce the bond for Eisenhower, LLC by 18,000, from $33,000 to $15,000. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor. Ms. Levitts will provide a request to Treasurer Fowler to execute this reduction.

 

MAPC Study

Ms. Price reported that MAPC provided her with an aerial view map of Sharon but she will ask for a 17x22 version. Mr. Lauenstein said he will be having a meeting with MAPC regarding the update of the Housing Production Plan. Any approval of 50 units will provide Sharon with one year protection to unsolicited 40B applications.

Ms. Price moved to authorize the Chair or designee to write a letter to the MAPC to indicate support for the MAPC study. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.

 

Bella Estates

Mr. Shelmerdine came before the Board to report that he met with the Roth/Huse family of 54 Huntington Avenue to ensure the slope in the back of their house that extends into the open space was stabilized properly. He provided them with a copy of the 4/14/09 landscape plan for the open space parcel. He wants to provide 15 shrubs and 3 additional trees for buffering and slope stabilization.

 

Mr. Lauenstein asked when the plantings would go in and what provision would be in place to ensure the plantings survive through the summer. Mr. Shelmerdine stated planting would occur in the spring and that there is a watering truck on site. Ms. Roth stated she was unclear as to what extent the trees and shrubs would provide screening. Mr. Shelmerdine replied that they will not provide 100% coverage immediately as they will need time to grow. Junipers will grow to be 5 feet tall and the other shrubs will grow to about 6-7 feet tall. Mr. Intoccia agreed that if the Roth/Huse family needs additional screening, he will plant additional trees/shrubs. Mr. O’Cain suggested that Roth/Huse speak to the Tree Warden regarding particular trees for surety. Mr. Shelmerdine stated he will confirm with them in early summer regarding additional screening

 

Mr. Shelmerdine then stated that one condition of the amended special permit is to come up with a traffic sign package for the site. It was submitted to Tom Houston in November and they recently received his comments. Mr. Shelmerdine forwarded these comments to his traffic engineer for review. Mr. O’Cain said that the definitive and mitigation plan and be discussed on one night when all of the details are wrapped up. 

 

Mr. Shelmerdine then discussed parcel C, the Club House within Bella Estates. He reported that Mr. Intoccia wants to convert the clubhouse into two affordable units. They have a letter of support from the Board of Selectmen and Jane Desberg of the Housing Partnership. They are asking the Planning Board for a letter of support as well. Mr. Shelmerdine stated he contacted Town Counsel to determine if the Planning Board support is within the rules and regulations. 

Ms. Price moved to authorize Planning Board Chair, Paul Lauenstein, to sign a letter drafted by Town Counsel to Intoccia Properties showing the Planning Board support for 1-2 units of affordable housing in the Club House at Bella Estates. Sending this letter will depend on the review by Town Counsel. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.

 

Meeting Minutes

Ms. Price moved to approve the meeting minutes of 1/27/10 as amended. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.

 

To Do

Schedule a joint meeting with the Economic Development Committee on 2/10.

 

Next meeting dates

3/10, 3/24, 4/7

 

Adjournment

Mr. Hauser moved to adjourn the Planning Board meeting at 10:00 PM. Ms. Price seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.