MEETING RECORD

For

Town of Sharon

Zoning Board of Appeals

On

December 8, 2004

 

 

 

 

Attending Regular Members: John Lee, Richard Powell, Lee Wernick

                                                         Dan Rosenfeld arrived at 9:30 p.m.

Alternate Members: Walter Newman, Janis Edinburg

 

The hearing was called to order at 8:09 p.m.

 

Continuance

#1489                          Whitman Homes                                Glendale Road

Applicant seeks a Comprehensive Permit under MGL Chapter 40B, Section 20-23 for development of thirty-two town house condominium units, comprised of nine buildings, plus one existing home located at 9 Glenview Road.  Property is located off Rob’s Lane, Town of Sharon Assessor’s  Map 102-Parcels 87,88 and 92-1 and is zoned Residential B.

 

Hearing opened at 8:10 p.m.

 

Mr. Huston, stated there are 10 key areas of concern, 4 of which were discussed at the last meeting.  At the last meeting, water pressure issue was discussed and is a significant public health issue.  Also noted at the last meeting was site distance problems.  There is an 8 percent down grade which is problematic.  Large onsite retaining wall also presented problems.

 

The 5th concern is groundwater.  Mr. Huston noted test pit data from Norwood Engineering.  Mr. Huston stated that there would probably be the need for foundation drains and under drains to stabilize the basements and paved surfaces.   He noted that they are concerned with the loss of ground water on the site.  Mr. Huston suggested that a groundwater contour map be provided for the property based on actual field monitoring.

 

Next area of concern was regarding wetlands and unnecessary altering of buffer zones by the proposed project.  A related concern is of the retaining wall disrupting the wetlands.  Mr. Huston noted that there is a vernal pool within the premises.

 

Next concern was for traffic.  Traffic study area should be expanded to include Summit Avenue.  On a weekday, the peak traffic will be increased by about 50 percent.  On Saturday, the traffic will double the volume on Glendale Road.  Intersection of Summit Ave and Billings should be included in the traffic study.  Mr. Huston noted that there is adequate stopping sight distance, but there is not enough intersection sight distance.  It should be 276 feet, and the actual sight distance is 235 feet, and is deficient by 15 percent.  John asked where Mr. Huston obtained his numbers from.  Mr. Huston also noted that there is a concept called decision sight distance.  Site distance required for drivers to process complex driver decisions.  Based upon posted speed of roadway the required spacing between intersections should be 220 feet.  However, the intersections are actually 200 feet apart.

 

Issue of storm water management is another area of concern.  There are concerns with the prominence and accessibility of the basin which would be an attractive nuisance to children.  The basin should be fenced.  Landscaping should be modified to allow as a buffer.  There is a concern with base flow from underdrains that are necessary to support the buildings on the site. 

 

The proposed buildings are relatively massive compared to other single family residences in the area, and this is another concern, according to Mr. Huston.  He suggested buffer strips should be on the site plans.

 

The issue of the number of required exemptions also presents problems.   The regulations are a safety component, and Mr. Huston expressed concern that the exemptions are a waiver of the town’s safety network.

 

John Lee asked what the depth of the retention basin is, and Attorney Huston responded that it is  6 feet.  The slope of the retention basin is an issue, according to Mr. Huston.

 

Mary Tobin, 120 Glendale Road, asked about clarification of the depth of the retention basin. 

 

Lois Miller 112 Glendale Road, asked about the water pressure issue with regards to Fire protection.  Mr, Huston noted that when a test of the fire hydrants was done, minimum of 20 psi was not maintained, and actually went negative.

 

Bill Apel, 3 Glenview Road, expressed that the project would destroy character of the neighborhood.

 

Paul Skolnik, 174 Billings Street, questioned whether there is potential for flooding.   There was discussion on drainage easements.

 

Robert Sholinsky, attorney representing the Hyman’s of Robbs Lane, questioned Mr. Huston that Robb’s lane is the lowest level, and asked about potential flooding. 

 

Debbie Bayha, Glennview Road – Expressed concern that the size of the subdivision is absurd.

 

Jane Hyman, 3 Robb’s Lane, stated concerns with snow and the narrowness of the road. 

 

Alice Cheyer, read a letter, which in part asked if the Board could address the effect of the project on abutting Glendale and Glenview properties.  The project will destroy the silence of the forest.

 

John read letter from Dennis Mann, Sharon Fire Chief, dated December 8, 2004 raised concern with low water pressure. 

 

John read letter from Conservation Commission, noted a need for peer review and support for buffer zone protections, and need for hydro study.  If the scope and density of the project cannot be reduced, local concerns will be placed in jeopardy. 

 

Ann Bingham, Chairman of Board of Health, stated primary area of concern is proposal to use shared system. 

 

Greg Meister stated that biggest issue is with regards to the 100 foot buffer near the wetlands and will affect the wetlands, if it is built as planned.

 

Patricia Daley, recommends a peer review of the pro forma.  She noted that there is a need for drainage calculations.

 

Peter Freedman, provided the Board with pro forma documents. 

 

Hearing continued to February 23, 2005 8:00 p.m.

 

Hearing closed at 9:35 p.m.

 

Continuance

#1513                          Shulman, Anthony and Jane              206 Hampton Road

Applicants seek two findings and special permit relative to a proposed habitable space expansion to a structure on a nonconforming lot.  Property is located at 206 Hampton Road and is situated in the Rural 2 Zone within the Surface Water Protection District.

 

Hearing opened at 9:36 p.m.

 

Sitting on case: Dan, John, Richard

 

Attorney Joel Fishman and Applicant provided the Board with a new plot plan.

 

Dan read a letter dated 11/03/04 from David and Elizabeth Renke, 210 Hampton Rd., who are the abutters to the Applicant.  Stating in part that they have no objection to the construction  of an attached single car garage of reasonable length and width and conforming to existing building codes for such structure.

 

Hearing closed by Applicant at 9:40 p.m.

 

Vote in Favor

John – Yes

Dan – Yes

Richard – Yes

 

Hearing closed at 9:41 p.m.

 

Continuance

#1515                          Prokos, Frank                                                3 Aztec Way

Applicant seeks a special permit relative to an in-law apartment.  Property is located 3 Aztec Way and is situated in the Rural 1 Zone within the Groundwater Protection District

 

Applicant provided the Board with new addition plans and new plot plan.

 

The Applicant stated that 2 changes had been made to the plans.  They will not be extending the deck for the in-law apartment and no door will be added for a second egress.  In place of the door a window will be added and so there will be no reason to extended the deck. 

 

The only two entrances to the In-law apartment will be though the front door of the existing house and through the exiting garage at which they would come into the kitchen through the dining room and then into the In-laws kitchen.  On the second floor the forth bedroom will be turned into a den.  The closet will be removed, french doors and two 18 by 36 decorative windows will be added.

 

Hearing closed by Applicant at 9:40 p.m.

 

Vote in Favor

John – Yes

Richard – Yes

Dan – Yes

Conditions:  In conversation of second floor bedroom into a den.  The only egress is through the existing dining room on the first floor and no separate utilities.

 

Hearing closed at 9:51 p.m.

 

Next Zoning Board meeting is scheduled on December 22 at 8:00 p.m. in Town Hall.