SHARON ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 14, 2013
A regular meeting of the Sharon Zoning Board of Appeals was held on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building, Sharon, MA. The following members were present: John Lee, Chairman; Lee Wernick (7:06 p.m.); Seth Ruskin, Barry Barth, Abe Brahmachari.
7:00 p.m. Mariner Tower Continued Hearing, Case No. 1712: Mr. Lee read a letter from Greg Meister, Conservation Agent. The applicant was represented by Chris Ciolfi and Paul Reed. Mr. Ciolfi stated they did a balloon float over the area and the only place you could witness the balloon as at the intersection of North and South Main Street at the Canton Street intersection and two locations within the trees at Sharon Memorial Park. This meets or exceeds all the setback requirements and he feels this is a good thing for the community. Mr. Lee agrees with the report that you can’t see this. In 2010 the Zoning Board approved another cell tower in this area. It was T-Mobile and as of right now we don’t know the status of this. He gave a copy of this decision to Chris Ciolfi and asks that they speak to them and find out where it stands. Mr. Ciolfi stated he did talk to them and they are in discussions with acquiring another company, Metro Pcs, so he doesn’t think this is available to them. He stated they would like to go forward and have them as their tenant. Mr. Lee doesn’t want two antennas near each other so he doesn’t want to issue a second permit in this area; therefore, he feels we need the exact status of this…is it on hold or will they be dropping this. He gave Chris a copy of their decision and stated it is up to him as the applicant to talk with MetroPcs. Mr. Ciolfi stated they have talked with them already and they said they have no plans in the immediate future. He doesn’t know how much more he can get from them. Mr. Lee asked him to get a letter stating they are no moving forward or we could be faced with two towers. Their decision was done in 2010 so we are getting close the end of the life of it. Mr. Ciolfi wants to move this process forward. He would like to close this hearing and asked for a straw vote. Mr. Lee doesn’t recommend closing. He suggested we keep this open until after they find out where they are in the cell tower process. Mr. Ruskin stated he can’t imagine a better site as it is well hidden. He doesn’t understand the concerns of the neighbors. Mr. Abrahmachari asked if this can be seen from Canton Street and Chris stated no.
Laura Nelson, 236 Edgehill Road saw that the balloon was visible near the junction of South and North Main Street and also the cemetery. Also, the trees still had leaves so she is not sure how accurate it is. There is a lease that was signed back in 2010 for this actual property. Also, the other application in 2010 had issues with Greg Meister due to endangered species in the area and also the Historical Commission had said there are historic buildings on this site. She asked if the board has reviewed the water master plan. Mr. Lee questioned the size of the platform and Chris stated it is a 55’x65’ gravel area and a 12’x20’ concrete slab and the foundation will be below grade. There are 64 acres on this parcel. Mr. Lee stated this is a pretty big site and asked Ms. Nelson if she thought this would be detrimental to the well site. She stated she doesn’t know enough about wells to answer that, but there is a master plan for water sites. Mr. Lee stated no one has ever presented the Zoning Board with that information. Ms. Nelson asked if the board will research this or should she. Mr. Lee stated we want to consider everything, but this is in the cell tower overlay district. He stated that Ms. Nelson can present whatever information she gathers. Ms. Nelson stated everyone has a strong signal in the neighborhood, so she doesn’t know why this is needed in this area. She is tired of her neighborhood being a dumping ground. If Canton is complaining, let them go there. She asked is there will be additional antennas and Mr. Ciolfi stated they are only asking for approval of one and if a co-locator did come along, they would have to come before the ZBA and get their own approval. Mr. Lee questioned the lease that Ms. Nelson mentioned and she stated it has been around since 2010 but she doesn’t know much about it.
Sharon Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of November 14, 2012 (2)
Mr. Ciolfi stated he had wanted to close tonight, but he can see that is not going to happen; therefore, he asked to continue. Mr. Lee continued this hearing to November 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. John Maslanka, 4 Worcester Road, Case No. 1713: Mr. Lee read the public hearing notice and letters from Greg Meister and Jim Andrews. Mr. Maslanka stated they are seeking a 16’x18’ screened porch off the back of his house. They will be staying within the lines of the house and it will only be used in the spring and summer months. It will not be used as a room. Mr. Lee asked if there is an existing pad there and Mr. Maslanka stated no. Mr. Ruskin asked why he is here tonight and Mr. Maslanka stated his lot is very small and nonconforming. Mr. Wernick questioned the plan signed by the engineer and Mr. Lee asked who put the red line on it. Mr. Maslanka stated the surveyor. There were no public comments. Mr. Wernick stated it is a very attractive addition.
Mr. Lee moved to approve the application for 4 Worcester Road subject to the board’s standard conditions and the following special conditions: the addition will have no heating or plumbing; it is a three season room and is not to be used as a permanent year round room; the footings will be sonar tubes; it is presently a three bedroom home and will remain a three bedroom home as per a plan dated September 18, 2012 by Antonio Land Surveyors. Motion seconded by Mr. Wernick and voted 3-0-0 (Lee, Wernick, Brahmachari).
7:40 p.m. Peter Morrison, 102 Bullard Street, Case No. 1714: Mr. Lee read the public hearing notice and letters from Greg Meister and Jim Andrews. Mr. Morrison stated he is addition on a 12x15 kitchen expansion and a half bath off the back of his house. Currently, there is a deck there with a patio under it. He will be moving the deck over. The entre addition is on top of area that has already been disturbed. Mr. Lee asked if the existing deck will be moved and Mr. Morrison stated yes. Mr. Lee stated he drove by this and it does fit in with the existing neighborhood. Mr. Barth questioned what is underneath and Mr. Morrison stated a full basement. Mr. Wernick asked if he will be shortening the driveway and Mr. Morrison stated yes, a little, but it doesn’t go down that far anyway.
There were no public comments and no board issues. Mr. Lee closed the hearing. Mr. Lee moved to approve an addition for 102 Bullard Street as shown on a plan dated August 3, 2012 with the board’s standard conditions and one special condition: that this is presently a three bedroom home and will remain the same. Motion seconded by Mr. Wernick and voted 3-0-0 (Lee, Wernick, Brahmachari).
It was moved, seconded and voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Accepted 9/25/13