Town of Sharon Planning Board
Meeting Minutes of 8/10/11
Amended and Approved on 8/31/11
Sharon Community Center
Filmed by SCTV
Planning Board Attendees
|
Susan Price, Chair |
Anne Bingham |
|
Eli Hauser, Vice Chair |
Pat Pannone, Clerk |
|
David Milowe |
Peter OÕCain, Town Engineer |
Attendees
|
Michael Gelbwasser Ð Sharon Patch |
Alice Cheyer |
|
Steve Drobnis |
Rebecca Tran Ð DPW Intern |
Chair Report
Chair Susan Price called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and read the ChairÕs report.
Mr. OÕCain stated that CVS will be attending the next meeting to discuss the new awning, sign and vinyl window covering installed at CVS on Main Street. Ms. Price will recuse herself from the discussion because her husband is a CVS employee.
Mr. OÕCain also indicated that a sign request for Sharon Mart is forth coming as they would like to add a wine shop sign. The store is under new management. He also said the owner of Mangia wants to add a deck to the property and will be providing a site plan review.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Pannone moved to approve the meeting minutes of July 27, 2011 as amended and Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-1 (Bingham) in favor.
Subdivision Plans
A Public Hearing is set for August 31st, 2011 regarding the Definitive Subdivision Plan entitled ÒStoneholm EstatesÓ in Sharon, MA dated July 1, 2011. The Plan is currently under review by Town Engineer, Peter OÕCain.
Proposed sidewalk change on Cattail Lane
Ms. Price recused herself from the conversation and Mr. Hauser took over as Chair of the discussion.
Mr. Iverson provided a landscape plan that he developed in conjunction with a landscape designer. The plant list was received from Peter OÕCain. Mr. Iverson issued a letter to the affected neighbors explaining what he intended to do and received 4 of the letters back. Mr. OÕCain provided the plantings list to the forestry and grounds supervisor who said the listing was acceptable.
Mr. OÕCain stated that Mr. Iverson will need to come back to the Board once the road is complete for a public hearing regarding the road acceptance.
Mr. Milowe moved to accept the sketch of the plan for the proposal of the sidewalk for Cattail Lane, Sharon, MA. The Price family will be provided with wood chips instead of mulch as per their request. Ms. Bingham seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of the landscape plan.
Mr. Milowe moved to accept the request to move the sidewalk to the other side of the road as requested by Mr. Iverson. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor.
Wilber School Park Proposal
Ms. Price sent a letter on behalf of the Planning Board to the Board of Selectmen in support of the Wilber Park Plan, which was presented to the Board by Rebecca Tran, intern to Mr. OÕCain. Mr. OÕCain also said he will request funding from the Community Preservation Committee. He said they are looking at a Spring start date for building the park. He will also present the idea for the park at the Spring Town Meeting.
Waste Water Survey
Mr. Hauser reported that 15
of 50 responses were received. He said the sense is the business owners do not
want to incur any fees for septic treatment plants or shared systems. Mr.
OÕCain commented that it is not the Planning BoardÕs job to design a new septic
system for the DeLapa properties. Ms. Price thinks it is up to the Board of
Selectmen, the owners themselves and the Board of Health. Mr. Hauser said the
goal is to bring the facts to the table and not design septic systems.
Town Meeting Articles
Both Ms. Price and Mr. Hauser spoke with the Finance Committee at the August 1st meeting to discuss four articles as relates to Post Office Square Zoning Bylaw Revisions.
1) Uses, Site Plan and Definitions,
2) Affordable Housing,
3) Dimensional Standards, and
4) Off-Street Parking.
Ms. Price said that both she and Mr. Hauser explained the changes to the four Post Office Square articles in detail. They discussed the waste water survey, the scenic road violation penalty and further restricting lot shapes.
Ms. Price also commented that she received a call from the SelectmenÕs office and was told there might not be a Fall Town Meeting.
Mr. OÕCain indicated that there is a proposal for assisted living on Norwood Street that would need a zoning amendment and this might need to be on a Fall Town Meeting schedule as well. He said he will put a place holder on the warrant for the nursing home item. Town Counsel is currently writing the language for this article. As assisted living is not specifically listed they want to add this in as a permitted use or permitted use by special permit.
Ms. Cheyer discussed the Scenic Road Violation Article that she is proposing. Ms. Price said she sent a letter to Attorney Cindy Amara regarding AliceÕs question as to whether the article and the current regulations should be combined as one general bylaw. Ms. Price provided some changes to the language that she would like to see in the article. Ms. Bingham said she will assist Ms. Cheyer and wants to see Cindy AmaraÕs comments.
Subdivision Regulations
Ms. Price said that the Board had been discussing updating the regulations since 2010. Last January, both Ms. Price and Mr. OÕCain updated the document with their comments. Mr. OÕCain also has additional comments. Mr. OÕCain suggested that Mr. Pannone take a look at the regulations and offer his opinion for changes as well. Mr. Pannone had said that he would like to see a sustainable approach to neighborhoods as well as a light pollution ordinance.
Ms. Price said she would like to give the Subdivision Regulations to Tom Houston for review as well. She asked Ms. Bingham to include her comments prior to sending to Mr. Houston.
Bella Estates
No discussion.
South Coast Rail 2012 Technical Assistance
Ms. Price contacted Jenny Raitt of MAPC regarding the grant through the South Coastal Rail Project to determine if we should apply for the grant to update the current census information into the 2011 Housing Production Plan. Ms. Raitt suggested we wait 4.5 years until it is due. The question arose if we should apply for the Low Impact Development Grant. Mr. Pannone will follow up.
Metro Boston Sustainable Communities RFP
Ms. Price discussed the availability of a grant from the Metro Boston Consortium for Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant to work on implementation of the regionÕs plan MetroFuture. Central to the vision of the grant are the concepts of equity and sustainability which are the foundation of the region they wish to build for the year 2030. A packet of information was provided to all Board members to review. Ms. Bingham said she will look at the packet and review it along with April Forsman of the DPW.
Post Office Square Traffic Study
Ms. Price commented that on February 16th, 2011 Tom Houston had come before the Board to present his traffic study for P.O. Square. He was to go before the Board of Selectmen in the fall. Mr. OÕCain provided an executive summary of Mr. HoustonÕs work for the Board to review dated March 29, 2011. The information is as follows:
Low Impact Improvements
1. Optimized signal timing for P. O. Square intersection Ð No negative to this task.
2) Eliminate pedestrian all phase and change to pedestrian activated only in direction of crossing. Negative is that right on red motorist could hit a person.
3) Left through and right through lanes on Billings approach to Square and loss of two parking spaces next to Unitarian Church to accommodate the two through lanes Ð only negative is parking loss which is minimal.
4) Pond/ Billings add dedicated right turn lane - Negative is that work requires loss of 3 parking spaces at bank of America.
5) No left turn from Station to South Main. Ð Negative is loss of left turn.
6) East Chestnut and South Main will have optimized signal timing and no exclusive pedestrian crossing like in the Square. Negative is pedestrian safety with respect to right on red.
Other intersection ÒimprovementsÓ possible
1) Added left turn lane on northbound approach to South Main Street and left turn/through right lane on southbound approach on North Main (P.O. Square intersection for both). This option requires loss of 14 parking spaces (8 in front of the Post Office).
2) Pond/Billings signalization Ð Negative is that work requires curb relocation, additional traffic count analysis, cost of signal installation.
3) East Chestnut/Chestnut/South Main intersection add left/through and through/right lanes. Negative is that work requires street widening, curb relocation. Sidewalk relocation all within the right of way.
A discussion of each item ensued. This executive summary will be provided to the Board of Selectmen for their review. Business owners will need to be invited and it is up to the Selectmen to decide what suggested options should be implemented.
Ms. Price agreed to write a summary of the opinions of the Planning Board and send it to the Board of Selectmen and Tom Houston.
Next Meeting Dates
August 31st, September 14th and 21st, October 6th, October 18th, November 2nd . November 14th is Town Meeting
Other
Ms. Price provided Ms. Levitts with a disclosure form to be given to the Town Clerk, as Ms. Price wanted to disclose the fact that her son is being treated for orthodonture by the applicant but she feels that she can remain unbiased concerning Stoneholm Estates.
Adjournment
Mr. Hauser moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 PM. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of adjournment.
Attachments
1. Sketch Plan of Proposed Sidewalk for Cattail Road, Sharon, MA dated July 14, 2011 that contains plantings.
2. March 29, 12011 email from Peter OÕCain regarding the Post Office Square traffic improvement plan.
3. Executive Summary from Tom Houston regarding the Post Office Square Revitalization Traffic Impact Report Page ES-4 Ð ES-7
4. MetroBoston Consortium for Sustainable Communities July 19th, 2011 grant application.
Note: New Open Meeting Law. As of July 1, 2010 al Planning Board minutes and attachments will be available upon request by contacting the Planning Board Secretary via email at rlevitts@hotmail.com.