For
Town of Sharon
Zoning Board
of Appeals
On
Alternate
Members: Walter Newman, Larry Okstein
#1567 Avalon Sharon 361-363 Norwood St/80 Edge Hill Rd.
Applicant seeks a Comprehensive Permit under MGL Chapter 40B, section 20-23 for development of 156 residential units in multiple buildings. Property is located at 361 Norwood Street, 363 Norwood Street and 80 Edge Hill Rd. Town of Sharon Assessor’s Map 130, Lots 31-1 and 31, Map 131, lot 32.
Hearing opened at 8:15 p.m.
Notice read.
Representing Avalon Sharon: Adam Hundley, Attorney and Elizabeth Smith, Avalon Bay
The Board chose Earth Tech as the Peer Review to review storm water, MWRA conaction, traffic study and ground water, etc.
The Board has planned a site walk for 10/18/06 at 7:00 a.m.
Hearing continued until 10/25/06.
Hearing closed at 8:27 p.m..
Applicant
seeks zoning regulation exemptions to locate a 104 unit development under
M.G.L., Ch. 40B for affordable housing that includes 54 buildings, including a
clubhouse and wastewater treatment plant.
Property is identified as Pine Woods, Sharon and is located on Norwood
Street and is situated in the Rural 1 Zoning District.
Hearing
opened at 8:30 p.m.
Paul
Oliveria letter dated 9/26/06 read.
Stating the concerns with the boundaries of this project and the
documents at the library being incorrect.
Christine
Turnbul, MA Audubon agrees with Mr. Oliveria concerns about the boundaries
lines in many areas. Ms. Turnbul will
provided the Board with a copy of MA Audubon property boundary lines.
Bob
Shelmerdine has agreed to have boundary survey.
Paul
Cusson gave a brief review of the meeting with MA Audubon. Mr. Cusson indicated MA Audubon’s concerns:
1) MA Audubon feels that this 21.1 acreage parcel should be donated to them, 2)
there should be a 100 to 200 ft. buffer zone between the property lines, 3)
transfer fee of 1% or 3% per property being sold, 4) responsibility of proper
signage between property.
Mr.
Cusson states that the Applicant does not agree with MA Audubon demands.
Ken
Caputo, Coler & Colantonio reviewed Document dated 9/15/06 regarding
Traffic Impact Report Seasonal Update.
Mr. Caputo gave a summary of the results of September traffic counts and
analyses. Mr. Caputo stated in summary,
Norwood St. has slightly higher traffic volumes in September than during
August, when the original counts were performed. The difference in volumes was greatest during
the AM peak hour period. The higher
September weekday AM volumes resulted in lower levels of service for the stop
controlled side streets including Bullard St. and the proposed Site Driveway
than with the August volumes. In
conclusion The TIR remain the same that the project adds a relatively minor
amount of traffic to the study area and does not impact the capacity, level of
service or safety of the study area roadways or intersections.
Bill
McGrath, Earth Tech letter dated 9/20/06 reviewed. Stating that he has reviewed the following
documents from Coler and Colantonio: 1) Site plan drawings, 2)Drainage
calculations, 3) reviewed drawings of Pre and post development drainage area
maps.
Jeff
Maxtutis, Earth Tech letter dated 9/20/06.
This memo summarizes the Traffic Impact Report provided by Coler and
Colantonio. Stating in summary, none of
the three potential projects site drive locations is adequate to provide
sufficient sight distance under the current geometric conditions on Norwood
St. The limited sight distance on
Norwood St. in the site vicinity is due to horizontal and vertical curves in
combination with prevailing travel speeds.
Two other factors must also be considered that affect operations in this
area: 1) the high percentage of trucks (up to 10 percent) that travel on
Norwood St., and 2) the location of
Epoch driveway located 200 ft. south of the proposed Road 4 project
driveway. These issues in combination
with limited available sight distance that the proposed project locations are
inadequate.
Ken
Caputo respond to Earth Tech’s comments.
Stating the accident site study was done on all the roads. And the Applicant will be will to make
improvements to the site distance.
Sharon
resident, stating concerns with safety of school buses, ambulances and fire
safety on this road.
Sharon
resident, stating issues with the level service E and how it will become Level
F when a traffic light goes in.
Kori
Bluestein, Pondview Circle, has concerns with the school buses in the winter on
Norwood St.
Jeff
Maxtutis, Earth Tech responded that the ITE standards are based on wet
conditions.
Walter
Hurbert, has concerns with stopping on curved roads and curved roads will
change site distance. Also, concerns
with level service E.
Laura
Nelson, Edgehill Rd. (finance comm.) is concerned with stopping distance. And was wondering if there is different
calculation for cars vs. trucks.
Jeff
Maxtutis stated that the calculations are the same
for cars and trucks.
Paul
Oliveria had concerns that the speed and traffic
study in August was done when there was a microburst. And the calculations are invalid because of
that storm.
Ellen
Perlin, Blueberry Ln.
concerned with the traffic flow.
Hearing
continued until 11/8/06.
Hearing
closed at 10:15 p.m.
Next Zoning Board
meeting is scheduled on October 13 at 8:00 p.m. in Town Hall.