Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 8/1/12

Approved on 9/12/12

Sharon Community Center

Filmed by SCTV

 

Planning Board Attendees

Eli Hauser, Chair  - absent

Anne Bingham

Rob Maidman, Clerk - absent

Pat Pannone,

David Milowe, Vice Chair

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

 

Other Attendees

None

 

 

Chair Report

Mr. Milowe called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM and read the Chair’s Report.

 

Minutes

Ms. Bingham moved to accept the 6/20/12 minutes with minor revisions. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 in favor of approval.

 

Review of potential Town Meeting Articles submitted by Susan Price

The Board briefly discussed two potential Town Meeting Articles submitted by former Chair Susan Price regarding “Changes of Special Permit Granting Authority in Business A and C Districts from Zoning Board of Appeals to Planning Board” in a  draft document dated  May 12, 2012 and a potential “Corrections” Article.

 

The Board decided to table the discussion until a future meeting when Ms. Price could attend the meeting to discuss the articles. Ms. Levitts will contact Ms. Price regarding her schedule.

 

8 Commercial Street

Mr. O’Cain briefly discussed the property at 8 Commercial Street in Sharon as a privately owned site in which it is proposed that a solar array be placed on the land to produce electricity. He said that the State has a requirement that 3% of green energy power be fed back to the grid and the provider receives credits from the State. Companies like NSTAR buy credits to cover credits they need for green energy. He said that this particular property is 3 acres so there will not be a lot of panels. On 8/16 the applicant is going to the Conservation Commission as they need to file a Storm Water Pollution Plan. The applicant has hired Tom Houston as a consultant engineer for the project.

 

Mr. O’Cain commented that the ZBA is requesting the Planning Board's opinion on the 8 Commercial Street project.  The ZBA would like the comments as soon as possible because the project was approved subject to the approval of other Boards. 

 

Ms. Bingham commented as to why she was handed a set of plans that were already approved. She said that if the ZBA was seeking approval something more than dropping off a set of plans should have occurred. She feels she does not have enough information to comment.

 

Mr. Pannone questioned how many trees will be cut down and Mr. O’Cain responded that the land has been clear cut. He said this is a private venture and the Town has no interest in the project. He also said the police and fire departments do not have any issues with the plans either. Mr. Pannone commented that he thinks it would have been nice to do this is an area where all the trees did not need to be cut down, but he is fine with the project.

 

Mr. Milowe agrees that he would have liked to have more information from the ZBA. He did however comment that the legal opinion from Attorney Gelerman had stated that this project is allowable so he is okay with it.

 

The Board decided to issue a letter to the ZBA which states that the plans were reviewed at the 8/1 Planning Board meeting. With the limited information provided and without any written ZBA comments, they reviewed what they could. Town Counsel says it has to be accepted as the ZBA already approved it so the Board acknowledges that is going through and is already approved. They have no comment at this time.

 

Adjournment

Ms. Bingham moved to adjourn at 8:15 PM. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 to adjourn.

 

Attachments

1. Two potential Town Meeting articles submitted by Susan Price regarding “Changes of Special Permit Granting Authority in Business A and C Districts from Zoning Board of Appeals to Planning Board” in a  draft document dated May 12, 2012 and a potential “Corrections” Article.