Minutes Monday, April , 2008
Regular Meeting
Planning Board Agenda for Monday, April 7, 2008
7:00 PM Weathervane at Chestnut Gardens
Request for Extension for Time of Completion
7:30 PM Continuation of Public Hearing on a Proposed Change to the Zoning By- Law to Create a 40R District
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Present: Planning Board Members, Paul Healey, Chair, Sarah Corey, Clerk, Susan Murphy,
Judy Sneath and Gary Tondorf-Dick. Also present was Planner Katharine Lacy.
RE: Weathervane at Chestnut Gardens Request for Time Extension
Carl Erickson of Bristol Brothers Construction came before the Board on behalf of the developer of Weathervane at Chestnut Gardens to provide an update and request an extension for the Weathervane FRD on upper Beal Street to continue work on the project into 2009 the current Certificate of Action specifies a completion date of May 1, 2008.
Mr. Erickson reported that two of the buildings previously on site have been demolished, and the bulk of the site grading has been completed. He noted that the former owner is still storing much of his construction equipment on site, but that they are anticipating that this equipment will be relocated by May. He also noted that he is hoping that they will be seeking building permits by late spring 2008.
Mr. John O’Neal of Hingham Woods was in the audience and asked whether the massive amount of blasting and rock crushing that occurred on would continue this summer. Mr. Erickson responded that, aside from any blasting that might be necessary for the construction of foundations, rock and gravel crushing operations were complete. Mr. O’Neal noted that they also experienced significant dust and noise problems last summer, and asked how those would be mitigated during the upcoming construction. Mr. Healey suggested that the developer should proceed with the installation of the landscape buffer along Beal Street before proceeding with further construction.
It was moved, seconded and SO VOTED, to extend the time of completion for Weathervane at Chestnut Gardens to May 1, 2009, subject to the following condition:
1. The Applicant shall install landscaping along Beal Street as shown on the Landscape Plan (Sheet 9 in the approved plans) by June 30, 2008.
RE: Continuation of Public Hearing to Create a 40R District
Jim O’Brien and various members of the Housing Partnership came before the Board to continue the discussion of the proposed amendment to the Zoning By-law to create a 40R District. Attorney Adam Costa was assisting the Housing Trust. Advisory Committee members Jerry Seelen and Richard Innes were also present.
Board members reviewed the By-Law line by line, and suggested various minor changes. Mr. Costa reiterated that all changes would have to be reviewed by DHCD before the By-Law would be final.
There was a long discussion about the provision of local preference set forth in the draft By-Law, and whether it complied with DHCD policy regarding local preference. Selectmen Laura Burns expressed concern that the DHCD policy might conflict with the original 2006 Town Meeting Warrant Article authorizing the Selectmen to dispose of the parcel. Mr. Costa said that he would discuss this issue, along with all other changes to the By-law resulting from the Planning Board’s review, with Don Schmidt at DHCD. Board members voted to recommend approval of the By-Law subject to the condition that DHCD would go along with the changes identified by the Planning Board in their review.
Jerry Seelen noted that the article would be discussed at the Advisory Committee on April 15, 2008.
Old/New Business
Samuels Development at Hingham Shipyard: Building A
Leslie Cohen and Michael Fitzpatrick returned to the Board to continue the discussion about a proposed change to Building A, which is shown on the approved Shipyard plans at the entry to the site on the northwest corner of Shipyard Drive. This building was originally planned as the site for several small retail and dinning establishments. At this point, however, the developer is negotiating with a drugstore chain who is very interested in this location.
At the last meeting on this topic, held on March 31, 2008 Board members expressed concern that the placement of a large pharmacy at the entry to the site would diminish the village-like feel of the streetscape. In particular, Board members expressed concern about the appearance of the proposed parking lot fronting on Shipyard Drive adjacent to the pharmacy building, stating that it looked unattractive and created a gap in the continuity of the street. Additionally, they wanted the loading dock on 3A to be screened. In response to these concerns, Ms. Cohen presented an illustrative plan showing the parking lot screened with a 3’ wall, and a landscaped area along Shipyard Drive. Additionally, the loading area to the rear of the building was enclosed, so as not to be visible from Route 3A.
Board members expressed that they were still not thrilled with the plan. In particular, they noted that the wall enclosing the parking lot should be at least 5’ high to truly block views of parked cars. Gary Tondorf-Dick noted that the screening wall should not be slanted back from the sidewalk because it would draw the eye toward the lot instead of screening it. Board members also expressed concern that the developer was “chipping away” at the approved plan, first with the addition of the Fresh Market in the former location of Building B, and now with this. They were concerned that the project would end up looking more like Riverway Plaza, and, in fact, would draw business away from Riverway Plaza, leaving it derelict and empty.
Ms. Cohen noted that the strategy was to sign viable tenants as a way to draw in other more hesitant tenants. Board members instructed her to proceed with the proposed request for a minor modification with the ZBA and Planning Board, but noted that they felt that this was the last modification of this scope and nature that they could entertain.
Paul Healey noted that he understood the need to change the program, but pointed out that every time the developer needed something from the Board, that he planned on requesting additional historical interpretation at the site, as he was concerned that the historical significance of the site was not being addressed sufficiently. Leslie Cohen agreed to provide Mr. Healey with the opportunity to review the entire interpretive program before it was shown to the rest of the Board, to ensure that he was satisfied.
Minutes
It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, to approve the minutes of March 13, March 17, March 27 and March 31, 2008.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine Lacy
Town Planner