Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 10/17/12

Approved on 12/12/12

Sharon Community Center

Filmed by SCTV

 

Planning Board Attendees

Eli Hauser, Chair

Anne Bingham  - absent

Rob Maidman, Clerk

Pat Pannone

David Milowe, Vice Chair  - absent

Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

 

Other Attendees

Michael Viano

Gino Chitvanni

John Carroll, Carroll Advertising

 

 

Chair Report

Chair Hauser called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM.

 

Cattail Lane Bond Reduction

Peter O’Cain presented the bond reduction for Cattail Lane recommending that the surety be reduced due to the completion of paving, sidewalks, curbing, lighting etc. The Engineering Division recommends that the bond for Townsman Square Subdivision, Cattail Lane, be reduced from $32,000 to $13,200, a reduction of more than $18,000.  Mr. Maidman moved to approve this surety recommendation as per Peter O’Cain’s October 3, 2012 memorandum. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-0-0 in favor of the reduction.

 

Mrs. Levitts will send a letter to Town Treasure, Bill Fowler regarding this decision.

 

Article regarding change of Special Permit Granting Authority in Business A and C Districts from the Zoning Board of Appeals to the Planning Board.

Mr. Hauser commented that Ms. Price has been collecting information from neighboring towns comparing the responsibility  of the Zoning Board and Planning Board regarding granting special permits.

 

Mr. O’Cain said that the Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals came to the Finance Committee meeting and said they are opposed to this article. This change would allow the Planning Board to have special permit granting authority in PO Square District A and C. The article is set to streamline the process so both boards don’t spend months going back and forth. He said from his point its been a tedious process and wants to make it easier for the applicants.

 

Mr. Pannone said that the selling point is there is lots of back and forth between the Planning Board and the Zoning Board and this would make the process more streamlined for the applicant and Planning Board.

Chair Hauser said there are two questions; do you want to split the approval or streamline the process? He commented that the Tedeschi process is a pragmatic example of what has transpired.

 

Johnson Drive

Michael Viano representing the landowner of a parcel on Johnson Drive, Mr. Gino Chitvanni, came back to the Board. He said that he refined the presentation regarding his articles based on input from the Planning Board at the last meting. He said his presentation went well with the Finance Committee. He is presenting three articles and each fall on their own merit.

 

The first article is the discontinuance of High Plain Street and the layout of Johnson Drive. He is seeking to clean up the 1960’s situation which is the same as what was brought forth in 2008. This asks the Town to declare land as surplus so the Board of Selectmen can offer the land for sale. It totals 27,000 square feet. His client has approximately 33,000 square feet. If he purchased the surplus it would give him a 61,000 square feet lot zoned for rural 1 for single family residence. By combining the land, the lot will be buildable.

 

Mr. Hauser and Mr. Pannone offered Mr. Viano helpful suggestions for his presentation to Town Meeting.

 

The second article is the proposed rezoning of the land to light industrial from rural 1. Mr. Pannone and Mr. Hauser offered suggestions on how to present this article to Town Meeting in a more clarified fashion.  Mr. Maidman suggested that directions and labels be added to Mr. Viano's maps to help get people oriented.

 

Mr. Viano said that there is a relationship between articles 1 and 2. If the town sold the land and the county changed the layout and it was zoned light industrial there would be a 61,000 foot land parcel for light industrial use. It is an isolated pocket and business use makes good sense. He said the town can generate income from selling the land and collecting the taxes.

 

The 3rd article amends the sign bylaw to allow use of pylons and billboards in the light industrial district.  The ZBA will be the approving body for the signs in this area.

 

Mr. Hauser said that from the meeting with the Finance Committee, they want to know how to make sure we can control the signage is used appropriately.

 

John Carroll from Carroll Advertising said that with regards to content, the town could control what is deemed controversial. He said they can not allow adult content on outdoor signs.

 

Mr. Hauser suggested that  Mr. Carroll work with Town Counsel on the wording of the article and how to insure what can be advertised.

Mr. Maidman said we need to manage free speech.

 

Mr. Pannone said we have been focusing on these lots but would the signage be allowed in the light industrial district; can the property owner put up a sign on Route 1.

 

Mr. Hauser reiterated that we need an answer on how to control the content of the billboards.  A conversation ensued. Town Meeting needs to understand content and location of the intended billboards.

 

Mr. Hauser said he does not think the article regarding the signs will pass as currently presented, and suggested that they build a simple PowerPoint stating that this is for the light industrial zone, suggested they provide a reasonable estimate on the number of signs for the entire district that is being rezoned, not just the Johnson Drive area, and show a realistic estimate for the total and net revenue potential for the town per sign.

 

Mr. Maidman said it would be good to see an image of what the sign would look like as it would have more impact.

 

Mr. Maidman made a motion to sponsor all three articles and would like the Board of Selectmen to co-sponsor as many articles as they think is appropriate. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-0-0 in favor of sponsoring the articles.

 

Bella Estates

Mr. O’Cain said all items on his punch list are complete and he provided the board with a brief overview.

 

Minutes

Mr. Maidman moved to accept the 10/3/12 minutes as amended. Mr. Pannone seconded the motion. The Board voted 2-0-1 (Hauser) in favor of approval.

 

Adjournment

Mr. Pannone moved to adjourn at 9:00 PM. Mr. Maidman seconded the motion. The Board voted 3-0-0 to adjourn.

 

Attachments

1. October 3, 2012, memorandum from Peter O’Cain regarding a  bond reduction for Townsman Square Subdivision; Cattail Lane.