Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 7/7/10

Amended and Approved on 7/28/10

Sharon Community Center

 

Planning Board Attendees

Susan Price, Chair

Anne Bingham, Clerk

Eli Hauser, Vice Chair - absent

Amanda Sloan  - absent

David Milowe

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

 

Attendees

Alice Cheyer

 

Jane Desberg

 

 

Chair Report

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Chair Susan Price and the Chair’s Report was read.

 

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Milowe moved to approve the meeting minutes of 6/23/10 as amended. Ms. Bingham seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 in favor of the motion.

 

Form A

None

 

Signs

None

 

Bella Estates

·        The Board discussed the open invoice for Tom Houston. As of June 15th, 2010, Intoccia Companies owed Mr. Houston $13,600. Mr. Shelmerdine stated that he was aware that this amount is due and that $7,710 would be paid to Mr. Houston by June 30th, 2010.  As of July 7, 2010, Mr. O’Cain stated the invoice was unpaid.

·        The Board received notification from Attorney Shelmerdine that Intoccia Companies will be paying the Thomas family four thousand dollars for their fence.

 

·        A brief discussion ensued regarding the DPW’s policy on the issuance of building permits in relation to payment receipt. Mr. O’Cain will verify if the DPW issues building permits upon receipt of the check or if they wait until the check clears.

 

·        Mr. O’Cain asked Mr. Shelmerdine to the Homeowner’s Association agreement. Mr. Shelmerdine stated he would provide the agreement after he completed the changes he was making.

 

·        Mr. O’Cain provided the Board with a brief overview regarding the status of the wall safety at Bella Estates. He said that lally columns will be added to the wall. He is expecting to receive the updated modified subdivision plan with the lally columns on the plan, by next week. Mr. O’Cain said he recommended that an additional row of boulders be added to the wall. He stated that the Homeowner’s Association will own the wall, storm drains, and retention basins. Ms. Bingham said the homeowner’s agreement needs to contain a statement regarding the wall. Mr. O’Cain said that the maintenance of the septic system should be included within the agreement as well although it is more of a Board of Health issue. Mr. O’Cain also reported that the retention basin was not clean. Work permits have been stopped at the site. Mr. O’Cain said he checked with the bond company and two bonds still exist for the property.

 

Jennifer Raitt, Chief Housing Planner, MAPC

Ms. Jennifer Raitt, Chief Housing Planner for MAPC stated that Sharon is part of the South Coastal Rail Project and can request technical assistance and grant monies from the MAPC.

 

She is currently reviewing documents that would lead to a 40R district for Post Office Square Center.

 

Ms. Raitt provided the Board with a copy of a report prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on April 3, 2009 entitled “Town of Sharon, Identification of priority development areas and priority preservation areas to inform the South Coast Rail Project. She stated that Ben Puritz had authorized her work for the Town on preparation of the 40R District. Ms. Price will provide her with updates and the current status of any issues. Ms. Price indicated that she wanted to put the 40R on the fall town meeting agenda and that the Board should hold a public hearing in September.

 

Ms. Raitt indicated that benefits to 40R include zones with multi family housing, mixed use development, ground floor retail, and lifestyle center. It incorporates multiple uses. The state provides incentive payments to towns for doing this.  The Town could also earn bonus payments. The advantage is that it provides developers with an idea of what the town is looking for. It conveys design and development in that zone with specific guidelines.  There are three types of 40R districts. These include transit oriented, areas of concentrated development and highly suitable locations identified in a community type document.

 

Mr. O’Cain asked what the Town’s goal for 40 R is and Ms. Price replied 1) funding for technical work, 2) opportunity for payments to the Town and 3) the opportunity to rebuild/renovate the Delapa properties and would also assist the Town with its inventory for 40B.  

 

Mr. O’Cain agreed to email Ms. Raitt a PDF of the map of the Town.

 

Ms. Raitt requested a walkthrough of the area (PO Square and specifically Delapa properties) either on July 19 or 20, preferably at 10 AM to define potential areas for the 40R district.

 

Ms. Bingham expressed her concern with putting an overlay on top of an overlay in the same area; 40R and zoning changes. She further expressed reservations about the value for 40R zones in the Town.

 

Mr. O’Cain also commented that Mr. Delapa had come to the Town about seven years prior with a site plan but the zoning at that time did not allow him to do what he wanted to do. Another 40R advantage would be to allow for affordable housing as well.

 

Ms. Raitt outlined next steps which included 1) the creation of a map for the areas, 2) a review of Ms. Raitt’s scope for the area. The Board is to inform Ms. Raitt of any requested changes to the scope. 3) The Planning Board needs to hold a Public Hearing and Ms. Raitt will file the paperwork with DHCD.

 

Ms. Raitt indicated that the South Coast Rail funding was extended until 6/30/11. The fiscal year 2010 grant monies contract is current. MAPC is working on the 40R under this contract. There is not a contract set for 2011 as of yet but she will create a new schedule and move the target dates out. Ms. Price said it is likely what she would be unable to get the 40R through for November so it could be moved to May Town Meeting.  Ms. Raitt said she would revise her timeline accordingly.  Ms. Price suggested that Ms. Raitt shift the priority to the Housing Production Plan and Mr. O’Cain offered his assistance to Ms. Raitt as he had previously worked on the project.

 

Ms. Raitt said that for the next grant opportunity the deadline is 7/16. She completed the South Coast Rail Technical Assistance application for the Town Administrator and provided the Board with a copy for the Housing Production Plan update. Ms. Desberg stated that she thought it is important to receive free help the MAPC and strongly suggested that the Town apply for the grant monies. Ms. Bingham suggested changes to some of the language within the application that Ms. Raitt will update.

 

Mr. Milowe moved to authorize Jenny Raitt of the MAPC to submit the 2010 South Coast Rail Technical Assistance application with the revised language to Ben Puritz for his signature and submittal by July 16th. Ms. Bingham seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 in favor of the motion

 

PO Square Zoning

Since the full Board was not in attendance, this topic was postponed to a future meeting.

 

Next meeting dates

7/28, 8/11, 9/1, 9/15 Post Office Square Zoning Hearing

 

Adjournment

Mr. Milowe moved to adjourn the Planning Board meeting at 8:55 PM. Ms. Bingham seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-0-0 in favor.

 

Attached Documents

1. The Town of Sharon identification of priority development areas and priority preservation areas to inform the South Coast Rail Project, Report by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, report date: April 3. 2009.

 

2. 2010 South Coastal Rail Technical Assistance application

 

3. Summary of the presentation provided by Ms. Raitt