Minutes
December 17, 2007
Regular Meeting
Planning Board Agenda for Monday, December 17, 2007
6:30 PM Hilltop Road Street Acceptance Meeting
7:00 PM 229 North Street-Hingham Townhomes 40B Continuation of Joint Hearing with ZBA
8:00 PM Old/New Business
Present: Planning Board Members, Paul Healey Chair, Sarah Corey, Clerk, Judy Sneath and
Gary Tondorf-Dick. Also present was Planner Katharine Lacy.
RE: Hilltop Road Street Acceptance Meeting
Board members Paul Healey, Judy Sneath and Gary Tondorf-Dick joined Town Administrator Charles Cristello and DPW Superintendent Joe Stigliani, along with several residents of Hilltop Road, to discuss the pending acceptance of the roadway, and the street acceptance process in general. Mr. Cristello explained that unless the street were accepted the Homeowner's Association would be responsible for the plowing and long-term maintenance of the road. He referenced an inspection report prepared jointly by DPW and the Town Planner, and explained that the items left to complete on the roadway were relatively minimal, and that it seemed likely that they would be complete by the time Town Meeting had to vote to accept the street.
Residents responded that they were frustrated with the pace of activity at the subdivision, and identified items such as street-lights not working, and old utility poles that had not been removed. Mike Leen, who lives adjacent to the emergency access roadway on Lot 15, expressed his continuing frustration with the appearance of the emergency access roadway, which the developer had represented would be more "finished" in appearance. Charlie explained that the acceptance process was limited to the area within the proposed right-of-way, and that it would be best to pursue these issues separately with the developer. Charlie also mentioned that the decorative gate and wall installed at the Leen's house was located in the proposed right-of-way, and would have to be removed.
Three of the residents on Hilltop Road were not represented at the meeting. Residents present indicated that they would explain the process to their neighbors. Ms. Lacy volunteered to discuss it with the Kings.
RE: 229 North Street-Hingham Townhomes 40B Continuation of Joint Hearing with ZBA
Judy Sneath was not present for this hearing.
Present for the Applicant: Mr. Hastings, applicant; Jim Rondstock, Architect; Mark Kablack, Attorney; Tom Pelzerski, Merrill Associates; Brad Seoul, Project Manager; and Don Orwig, Landscape Architect.
Board members Paul Healey, Gary Tondorf-Dick, and Sarah Corey joined the Zoning Board of Appeals in an advisory capacity to conduct Site Plan Review relative to the application of Hingham Townhomes, LLC to develop 16 units of age restricted (55+) housing on Town-owned land at the Hersey House located at 224 North Street. Earlier hearings on this matter occurred on Thursday, October 4 and Thursday, November 15. Mr. Hastings has the land under agreement after being selected by the Selectmen in response to an RFP process to dispose of the land conducted in 2003/2004.
Mr. Hastings and his representatives presented a revised site plan showing the Heresy House in its current location. He also showed revised elevations for the "B" unit buildings which would face out to North Street. Board members asked some very specific questions about the size of the units. Mr. Hastings responded that the "A" units are shown as 2357 square feet with an option to expand with the build out of a 1200 sf "garden level" (3557 total). The "B" units are 2312 square feet (there are four of them) and can also have a 1200 basement level. Paul Brogna asked what would determine whether the garden basement level was built or not, and the response was that the garden level would be built for whoever could pay for them. Paul Healey asked how many units would probably end up with garden levels, and Tom identified 8-10 units.
Gary Tondorf-Dick questioned further massing and excessive size issues. The proposed buildings are much larger than adjacent buildings and the Hersey House. Members of both Boards expressed concerns that the Hersey House would be dwarfed by the surrounding units. Mr. Hastings responded that the Hersey House is 38' tall, and the surrounding units would only be 35' tall. Tod McGrath and Gary Tondorf-Dick both questioned the height of the building, saying that it appeared to only be 28' in height. Paul Brogna will visit the Hersey House to verify the existing eave and gable heights.
Sarah Corey expressed concern about density, size of units and the lack of visitor parking. Mr. Hastings responded that each unit had four parking spaces (two in the garage and two outside), and went on to say that residents could park in the adjacent Hersey Field parking lot on Thaxter Street. Mr. Kabalck noted that the Fire Department had instructed them to prohibit parking on the site driveway.
Tod McGrath stated that he did not think that the wall in front of the Hersey House property was necessary. Mr. Hastings agreed that he would prefer to include the wall, but would back off on this point if required.
Paul Brogna expressed concern about the size of the units, and the congested nature of the site. He noted that it would be very difficult to plow and store snow in amongst the buildings. Mr. Hastings responded that he had no problem plowing at his smaller development on North Street. He also stated that the condo association would remove the snow from the site if needed. Mr. Brogna also noted that some of the parking spaces were only 18-20 feet in length, which is too short to accommodate an SUV, or even a normal minivan with room to walk around the building.
Mr. McLaughlin continued the hearing to January 28, 2008. Mr. Kablack asked why the hearing had to be continued, and what other issues had to be discussed. Mr. McLaughlin reiterated that the hearing was continued.
Old/New Business
Board members adjourned to the Planning Board Office. Ms. Corey had to leave the meeting, and, their being no quorum present, the meeting was adjourned.
The meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Katharine Lacy
Town Planner