Town of Sharon Planning Board

Meeting Minutes of 11/28/12

Approved on 12/12/12

Sharon Community Center

Filmed by SCTV

Planning Board Attendees

Eli Hauser, Chair	Anne Bingham
Rob Maidman, Clerk	Pat Pannone
David Milowe, Vice Chair	Peter O’Cain, Town Engineer

Other Attendees

Michael Viano	Gino Chitvanni
Virginia DeChristopher  306 Moosehill Rd  E. Walpole	Cory  and Georgia Belliveau 18 Orchard Drive E. Walpole
Paul and Rose Peckham 311 Moosehill Rd E. Walpole	Patricia and Scott Curran 261 Moose Hill Rd E. Walpole
Rick Apria 7 Orchard Dr. E. Walpole	Tom Rosato 6 Orchard Dr. E. Walpole
Marion and William Innocent 2 Orchard Dr. E. Walpole	Dante Ferrara 275 Moosehill Rd E. Walpole
Homer Everhard 334 Moosehill Rd E. Walpole
Susan Price

Chair Report

Chair Hauser called the Planning Board meeting to order at 7:30 PM. The Public Hearing was then called to order.

Article 2

Mr. Maidman moved to open the meeting and Ms. Bingham seconded. The Board voted 5-0-0 to open the Public Hearing.

Clerk Maidman read the public hearing notice described as Article 3 but whose number was changed in the Town warrant to Article 2 .It read as follows:

Article3 – rezoning to expand light industrial district. Change the zoning to light industrial district on lots near or on Johnson Drive and one lot on RTE 1

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 2120 of its Zoning By-Law by amending the map entitled “The Zoning Map of Sharon, Massachusetts – Zoning Map” dated May 7, 2007, as amended November 17, 2008, by changing the zoning district classifications for the following parcels.

Assessor’s Parcel 123-3.

Assessor’s Parcel 123-3-3,

Assessor’s Parcel 123-4,

Assessor’s Parcel 123-5,

Assessor’s Parcel 123-6,

Assessor’s Parcel 76-4,

Parcels A, B, C, D and E as shown on a plan entitled “Town of Sharon Abandonment Plan of Land in Walpole & Sharon MA”, dated May 12, 2008 by Merrick Engineering LLP a copy of which is on file at the Town Clerk.

Or take any other action relative thereto.

Mr. Viano, representing his client, Mr. Chitvani and Mr. Reed explained the premise of the article. He wants to expand the existing light industrial area by 6 lots. He is seeking to rezone the area with the potential to create a lot to be used for commercial or residential use. It would add to the tax base of Sharon if zoned commercial.

Chair Hauser read the detailed petition written by the Walpole residents. Tom Rosato of 6 Orchard Drive in East Walpole is the author of the letter. He said a new 5 lot subdivision is being built. If this change went through the main entrance to Johnson Drive would be impacted and it would look horrible. He is concerned with property values going down due to commercial development. He is trying to prevent commercial building. He said it is a residential neighborhood and adding commercial property would have an adverse effect.

Richard Clarity of 15 Johnson Drive explained that Wal-Mart had installed beautiful shrubbery to block the neighbors. He said the neighbors are fighting to keep their slice of the pie while being surrounded by commercial properties.

Bill Innocent of 2 Orchard Drive in East Walpole, said traffic is now terrible and is concerned additional commercial buildings would increase traffic as well.

The owner of 18 Orchard Drive asked what the benefit to Sharon would be? He does not want his neighborhood ruined.

Mr. Viano said that if an acre and a half was zoned commercial it could be assessed at 225 K for the land and 500K for the building. This would give Sharon 20K in tax revenue.

Scott Curran of 261 Moose Hill Road in East Walpole said he would have safety concerns with the bus stop being at the top of the hill near the proposed commercial development.

Mr. Pannone asked if an alternative was discussed at the Finance Committee Meeting. Mr. O’Cain said that a motion was made to change the lots.

Dante Ferrara of 275 Moose Hill Drive said the maps shown are deceiving.

Tom Rosato of Orchard Drive said he was concerned with Article 4 which would allow outdoor advertising. Mr. Viano said you would not see the sign for Johnson Drive.

Mr. O’Cain said there is a public hearing and Board of Appeals process for signs.

Mr. Viano said that he appreciates the impact of the development but said his client has rights to do what he wants with his property.

Mr. Hauser said he is not sure why 123-6 is included in the article. He has no objection to using town property. He also said that people have a right to use their property. He thinks the Sadek property should be removed from the article.

Mr. O’Cain said the Planning Board is the sponsor of the article and can therefore amend the article.

Ms. Bingham said she was not in favor of rezoning the Johnson Drive parcel. Mr. Milowe said he was sensitive to the Walpole residents. He does not want the Johnson Drive parcel rezoned either.  Mr. Pannone said the landholder has rights; he wants to leave Johnson Drive as a residential neighborhood.

Mr. Rosato commented that Mr. Chitvani bought the property in 2003 and knew it was a residential property.

Mr. O’Cain said it seems like the Board wants to make everyone happy. If the abandonment occurs they could build another home and the residents would be happy.  He also said that any property owner touching the line has to agree that the abandonment can occur. The entity that owns the Sedak lot is the key player.

Mr. Maidman moved to close the hearing. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0-0 to close the public hearing.

Ms. Bingham said she is against the article as written. She doesn’t care about the tax money. She cares if it’s a good plan and there is a distinct neighborhood.

Mr. Pannone agrees with Mr. Maidman that it was light industrial but it’s now residential.

Mr. Maidman said he is having trouble with traffic issue for potential homes.

Ms. Bingham said she has empathy for the residents who are in attendance.

Mr. Pannone said the potential is much greater if the sign option article 4 is passed. Billboards can’t be located in residential but only in light industrial.

Mr. Hauser said he is all for the abandonment of the land and generating income for the Town. He said it would be nice to have a sense of what could be done. He would be interested in the article if it excluded 123-5 and parcels A, B, C, D and E.

Ms. Bingham proposed an amendment to article 2 to only include 123-3, 123-3-3 and 76-4. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-1(Maidman)-1(Hauser) in favor of the changes.

Article 7

The Public Hearing for Article 8 but listed as Article 7 in the warrant was opened.  Mr. Maidman read the public hearing notice. This article was in reference to technical corrections in P O Square in the Zoning Bylaws.

Ms. Bingham closed the hearing and Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor of closing the hearing.  No discussion was held. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor of this article.

Article 6

The Public Hearing for Article 7, now Article 6 in the warrant was read. Mr. Hauser commented that he liked the article and mentioned the note received in support from Steve Winter of MAPC. Mr. Hauser will make a floor amendment that the Board of Appeals should be added to the review group. 

Ms. Bingham moved to close the public hearing. Mr. Milowe seconded .The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor of closing the hearing.

Ms. Bingham made a motion in favor of the article with the amendment to 6332 as presented. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 in favor of the motion.

ANR Horizons for Youth

Mr. O’Cain said the ANR needs to be recorded at Norfolk County of Deeds. He said he has a professional land surveyor review this property. Ms. Bingham moved to approve the plan dated 7/21/2007 and revised May 25, 2012 for Horizons for Youth. Mr. Milowe seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0-0 in favor of this article.

Minutes

Review of 10/17/12 minutes postponed until the 12/12 meeting.

Adjournment

Mr. Pannone moved to adjourn at 10:00 PM. Mr. Maidman seconded the motion. The Board voted 5-0-0 to adjourn.

Attachments

1. Letter from Walpole Residents