Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 4/25/12

Amended and Approved on 5/9/12

Sharon Community Center

Filmed by SCTV

Planning Board Attendees

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

Attendees

Bob Shelmerdine	William Welch, 59 Bella Road
Jack O’Leary, Merrill Associates, Hanover	Myron Dickerman, 40 Cortland Drive

Chair Report

Ms. Price called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and reviewed the Chair’s Report.

Meeting Minutes

Mr. Milowe moved to approve the minutes of 4/11/12 as amended. Mr. Hauser  seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of approval.

Bond Reduction Bella Estates

Mr. O’Cain said that the bond for Bella Estates was not provided to him. He said if it is not received by the next meeting, he will stop issuing permits for the property. Only 3 or 4 lots do not have homes built on them yet. He thinks that in the next month they will start planting. They have a year from August to finish the project.

Tedeschi’s

Mr. Jack O’Leary, Engineer for Tedeschi’s Food Shops recapped what had transpired during the previous two meetings regarding the property located at 68 Pond Street and the prospective changes. He said that the Board had made a request and that they had reduced the number of pumping stations from 3 to 2. He said a bicycle rack is proposed to be placed on the right side of the building away from pedestrian and traffic flow. They proposed a 9 by 37 cooler addition as well as a new ramp. They have changed the proposed forsythia plantings along Tolman Street to evergreens. The have proposed an upgrade to the corner of Maple and Pond Streets. He said that they did not make any changes to the traffic flow. He showed drawings describing the tanker access. The tanker would need to go through two sets of pumps and under a canopy. The maximum height for a vehicle he said is 13.5 feet and the bottom of the canopy is 14 feet above grade. It has been designed with no projections.

Mr. O’Cain commented that he wants to see a plan to show where all lines will go and where the drainage is. He said the Planning Board is responsible to review parking, colors, signage and access. The infrastructure is not under the Planning Board’s jurisdiction, but he would like to see it.

Mr. O’Leary said that with reference to Mr. Milowe’s request for extended hoses, they are not desirable in this market due to maintenance issues. He said that customers will have to pull up to the proper gas fueling side. Being a self serve facility, they need a fire suppression system protected area which is determined by how far the hoses reach. If they installed extended hoses, then the hoses would reach past the canopy.  The fire suppression equipment is only under the canopy, so the canopy would then need to be enlarged. Lastly he said, the dispensers already exist so if they wanted to use flexible hoses, they would have to purchase new pumps.

Mr. Milowe said that he spoke with the Fire Chief, who had no fundamental problem with flexible hoses. He thinks that extended or retractable hoses would solve the turning problems and back up issues on Pond Street. He said the proposed pumps allow for one car to queue up based on the configuration.

Mr. O’Leary commented that flexible retractable hoses are not commonly seen at gas facilities for passenger cars.

Mr. O’Cain expressed that he thinks the positioning of the pumps which are closest to Tolman Street are awkwardly placed and might require someone exiting from an exit that is less convenient. He prefers a one way traffic pattern.

Mr. O’Leary said that a two way traffic pattern works for this site. He said they are trying to allow people to get to the fueling position more efficiently. They are upgrading the building, getting a better looking site and feel that the fueling trucks are not an issue.

Mr. Milowe asked if the ADA compliance for the bathrooms was discussed and Mr. O’Leary commented that Dave Coonan was looking into that.

Mr. O’Cain said that the number of parking spaces needs to be changed on the table to meet the bylaws.

Mr. O’Leary said that they ended up with ten spaces, one of which is for an employee. He commented that there will be vinyl on the side of the building, clapboard on the front, additional windows added on Maple Street, flat panels on the canopy to match the building and a false window will be installed on the Pond Street side of the cooler. He said that Tedeschi’s wants to maintain the signs they have; one on the building, one on the canopy in each direction and the pylon is the 4^th sign.

Ms. Price requested a sign package containing a list of signs and details be provided.

Mr. Hauser and Mr. Pannone both expressed that they do not think signs are needed on top of the canopy. They said the pylon gives visibility from both directions.

Ms. Price said she would like to see what the pumps will look like and the associated labeling.

Mr. O’Leary said they need to go back to the Marketing Department regarding the sign package. They would like to keep the site plan separate from the sign package so they can meet with the ZBA.

Ms. Price commented that the existing pole lights are unattractive. Mr. O’Leary said that they are standard.

Mr. O’Cain said if they intend to put gooseneck lights on the front of the building then he would recommend that they be coordinated.

Mr. O’Leary said that the canopy has down lights and that there will be crown molding on the building.

Mr. Pannone suggested that the light poles be painted black.

Mr. Hauser said he would like to see a new pylon sign and the associated colors.

Mr. O’Cain said he wants to see drawings of each sign with the associated colors and dimensions; where they are being placed along with the goose neck lighting samples .

Mr. O’Cain said he has not had time to review all of the plans that were given to him as they were provided late. He is concerned with the truck drop off procedure with reference to the bollards, turning backwards and stated there is not a lot of wiggle room. He wants to discern if there is any improvement to the site doing it this way.

Ms. Price said that the building, landscaping, dumpster area and on-site queuing will be better.

Mr. O’Cain said he does not like the southerly pump exiting into an incoming lane. He said getting to an open pump will be better.

All Board members commented that they like the bicycle racks.

Mr. O’Leary said that the bollards will be lined up in front of the store with the u shaped ones near the pumps. He is unsure of the color.

Ms. Price said that the signs and lighting issues should be separate. The conditions of approval she suggested should be that they do the following:

1. submit a separate sign and lighting plan with dimensions and colors on the plan including a new pylon sign,

2. submit drainage as built plan for infrastructure,

3. obtain the Fire Chief letter of approval,

4. add crown molding to the plan,

5. use an historic paint color for the building,

6. ensure the color of the bollards is approved by the Planning Board,

7. Items #2, 11 and 12 on Peter O’Cain’s memo dated 4/24/12 need to be addressed.

Mr. Hauser said he is not sure if the traffic is improved.

Mr. O’Cain said he did not receive the plans until Monday and therefore he did not have enough time to review them  due to the late arrival. He is unsure if the island configuration is any better.

Mr. Pannone said he would be more comfortable if Mr. O’Cain was comfortable with the traffic circulation.

Mr. Shelmerdine said the he would have Tom Houston review the traffic patterns and circulation on the southern corner.

Mr. Shelmerdine will write the draft decision as a favor to the Board.

Adjournment

Mr. Milowe moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 PM and Mr. Hauser seconded the motion. The Board voted 4-0-0 in favor of adjournment.

Attachments

1. Peter O’Cain’s 4/24/12 Memorandum Review of Tedeschi Food Shop Site Plan dated April 19, 2012