Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 7/6/11

Amended and Approved on 7/27/11

Sharon Community Center

Filmed by SCTV

Planning Board Attendees

Susan Price, Chair	Anne Bingham
Eli Hauser, Vice Chair	Pat Pannone, Clerk
David Milowe - absent	Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

Attendees

Mark Iverson, Developer	Alice Cheyer
Steve Ross - 4 Cattail Lane	Rob Price - 79 Aspen Road

Chair Report

Chair Susan Price called the meeting to order at 7:38 PM and read the Chair’s report. Ms. Price said she received an email from Todd Arnold regarding his wish to be an appointee to the Lake Management Committee. He will attend this evening’s meeting as his letter was just received. Chair Price also said that Jennifer Chin from MAPC had emailed her a spreadsheet as part of the South Coast Rail Corridor Plan to collect data in order to create a viewable interactive map.  

Meeting Minutes

Ms. Bingham moved to approve the meeting minutes of June 15, 2011 and Mr. Pannone seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-1 (Hauser) in favor.

Subdivision Plans

Mr. O’Cain indicated that he had just received a Definitive Subdivision Plan entitled “Stoneholm Estates” in Sharon, MA and dated July 1, 2011 and would begin to review the plan. A Public Hearing will be set for August 31^st regarding this subdivision.

Public Hearing on proposed sidewalk change on Cattail Lane

Ms. Price recused herself from the Public Hearing as she is an abutter to Cattail Lane. Clerk Pat Pannone read the Public Hearing notice as follows:

“The Sharon Planning Board will hold a Public Hearing at 8:00 pm in the Hearing Room at the Sharon Community Center located at 219 Massapoag Avenue. The meeting is being held to discuss the possibility of changing the location and length of the sidewalk on the uncompleted Cattail Lane from the approved location shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plan. “

Eli Hauser conducted the Public Hearing proceedings and informed the audience of the procedures that would be followed.

Mr. O’Cain said that Mark Iverson, developer of Cattail Lane in the Townsman Square Subdivision has an existing plan for the cul de sac roadway. Mr. Iverson is proposing changes to the existing plan by bringing the sidewalk to the easterly side and shortening it by 200 feet.

Mr. Iverson said that after he received Town approval in 1997 to the Definitive Subdivision Plan, he submitted the plans to the electric company for engineering to best service the subdivision.  He said the cable put in by the Edison was contrary to plans and he wanted to discuss with the neighbors where to best situate the sidewalk.

Mr. O’Cain said that subdivision regulations require the sidewalk on both sides of the road but it may have been different in 1990. Mr. O’Cain also mentioned that the original plan calls for 2 foot grass strips behind the sidewalk but feels it is unnecessary at this size.

Mr. Hauser asked how many trees would be planted and Mr. Iverson said he was unsure of the number. Mr. Hauser said we do not want trees in the grass strip anymore. He would like pervious materials used as well for the sidewalk. Both Mr. Hauser and Ms. Bingham commented that they have no intrinsic objection to moving the sidewalk to the other side of the street.

Dr. Ross of 4 Cattail Lane provide the Board with various pictures of the area and said he would like to have the sidewalk on the same side as the lights which would allow for a more aesthetic view.

Mr. Pannone commented that he thinks the sidewalk should continue to the town property line at the very least.

Rob Price of 79 Aspen Road said he is supportive of the location of the sidewalk. He is concerned about the slope on the other side of the street and possible erosion.  He would like the sidewalk to be visually appealing and would like low maintenance landscaping that is planted with long life in mind.

Ms. Bingham commented that she thinks a plan is needed to complement the original 1990 subdivision plan.

Mr. O’Cain commented that, at Bella Estates, the developer went to each homeowner and had a contract regarding what greenery/fencing they wanted.

Mark Iverson of 11 Fletcher Street in Plainville said it’s a matter of course to contact neighbors and ask what they want to finish the area.

Both Dr. Ross and Mr. Price expressed their desire to have the sidewalk completed soon.

Mr. O’Cain commented that paving of the sidewalk could be done now but plantings could not be done until September.

Mr. Pannone moved to close the Public Hearing and Ms. Bingham seconded the motion, The Board voted 3-0-0. A discussion amongst the Board members ensued.

Mr. Hauser commented that it is not just the neighbors but the Town also has an interest in a safe environment. He commented that concerns were expressed regarding the landscaping. Mr. O’Cain had voiced his opinion regarding the 2 foot grass strip as well. Mr. Hauser continued by stating he is concerned with the materials used not being written down. Mr. Pannone commented that it makes sense to have a revised plan.

Mr. Iverson commented that he will talk to the neighbors regarding the Planting Plan but would like to put the sidewalk in.

Mr. O’Cain commented that he has a cash bond for the property and feels comfortable with allowing the sidewalk to be paved.

Mr. Hauser said that he would like Mr. Iverson to discuss the landscaping plan with the neighbors and would like to see an engineered and comprehensive plan for the sidewalk, and a landscaping plan submitted to the Board for review and consideration. Without a prepared plan, the Board has nothing to vote on or approve.  Mr. Iverson agreed to complete those tasks and report back to the Board.

Lake Management Study Committee

Ms. Price stated she had received an email from Todd Arnold regarding his interest in being appointed as Planning Board representative to the Lake Management Study Committee.

Mr. Arnold expressed his sincere interest in the lake and its management. He said it is a valuable resource and he is an avid fisherman. He feels he would have a positive impact on the team.

Ms. Bingham moved to appoint Todd Arnold to be the Planning Board appointee to the Lake Management Committee. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of the appointment.

Other Business

1. Ms. Bingham provided the Board with a copy of the proposed updates to the Scenic Road regulations of the Planning Board that Ms. Cheyer prepared and said she is in support of this article for Town Meeting. Both Ms. Price and Mr. Hauser said they are in favor of defining the violation and associated fees. Ms. Price said other towns may have effective language to use to draft this article.   Ms. Bingham said she would do more research.

2. Ms. Bingham indicated that she would like to bring the “mc mansion limit” idea proposed by Laura Nelson to the table as well.

3. Ms. Bingham also let the Board know that she is working on the creation of a bicycle map for the Town. She said the City of Boston received a $3 million grant for bicycle sharing but was unsure if this was extended to the suburbs. She expressed that she thinks people would come to Sharon for all of its great attributes. She would like to set up a bicycle kiosk and will work with the bicycle club as well as the Recreation Advisory Committee.

4. Ms. Price would like to discuss the traffic study with the Planning Board prior to the traffic study discussion at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting in the Fall.

Subdivision Regulations

Both Ms. Price and Ms. Bingham discussed getting together to work on the Subdivision Regulations.

Post Office Square Zoning

Ms. Price said she thought of subdividing the previous article from Fall 2010 Town Meeting into four individual articles. She thinks breaking down the original article into four parts will make it easier for voters to understand and that also some particular articles may not be objectionable to. Ms. Price said she will circulate a summary of the revisions to the articles as well as the individual articles.

Waste Water Study

Mr. Hauser instructed Ms. Levitts to send out the waste water survey.

Bella Estates

Mr. O’Cain indicated that the tow drains are being worked on. He said no permits are being issued by the Building Inspector until they are installed. He said the pile of dirt is still there and the basin is full of water.

Next Meeting Dates

July 27^th - Anne Bingham will be absent

August 10th

August 31st

Adjournment

Ms. Bingham moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 PM.  Mr. Pannone seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of adjournment.

Attachments

1. Proposed Town Meeting Article regarding the Scenic Road violation penalties.

2. Maps and pictures of Cattail Lane.