Agenda
7:00 PM 124-132 North Street Waiver from Off-Street Parking Requirements
7:30 PM Preliminary Discussion of Proposed Modifications at Best Chevrolet
8:00 PM Discussion of Modifications to Section III-E of the Zoning By-Law
Location: Central North Meeting Room
_____________
Present: Planning Board Members, Chair, Sarah Corey, Judy Sneath, Clerk, Paul Healey,
Susan Murphy. Also present was Planner Katharine Lacy.
7:00 PM 124-132 North Street Waiver from Off-Street Parking Requirements
Joan M. Barrett is proposing to lease 555 square feet of upper story space at 124-132 North Street for a new retail business, Hingham Square Needlepoint. The applicant plans to sell needlepoint materials and patterns. She is also hoping to hold small classes or lessons. The store would have 1-2 employees, and would be open 5 or 6 days a week. The proposed retail use is permitted as-of-right in Business A. Prior to submitting this application; Ms. Barrett applied for and received a waiver from the State’s Architectural Access Board because there is no handicapped access to the 2nd floor.
The applicant is requesting a modification to a Special Permit A2 (parking waiver) issued by the ZBA to the owner of the building, Greg Sullivan, in 2002. The 2002 parking waiver included conditions aimed at reducing the parking impact by 1) limiting the amount of usable second-story space to 1200 s.f.; 2) requiring that the owner lease two off-street parking spaces, and 3) restricting the upper-story use to General Business Office.
In 2006, the Hingham Zoning By-law was amended to transfer the Special Permit Granting authority for parking waivers from the ZBA to the Planning Board.
The introduction of the proposed needlepoint store complies with Condition 1 in that the portion of the upper story being used will still be less than 1000 square feet. Additionally, the building owner provided evidence that the building still has an active lease for two parking spaces in the parking lot associated with the professional building across North Street.
In terms of the condition restricting the upper story to General Business use, Ms. Lacy stated that she used the new parking model prepared by Vanasse and Associates for downtown and found that changing 550 s.f. of General Office Space to retail space would increase the amount of required parking from 1.44 parking spaces to 2 parking spaces. It would have virtually no effect on the total weekday peak or Saturday peak parking demand.
Board members determined that because the new use would have no impact on the availability of parking in the vicinity of the building that it was consistent with the 2002 Parking waiver. In light of this finding it was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED to grant the Special Permit A3 (parking waiver) for the proposed needlepoint store.
7:30 PM Preliminary Discussion of Proposed Modifications at Best Chevrolet
Jerry Seelen and Jeff Tocchio came before the Board for a preliminary discussion with the Board on a proposed expansion to Best Chevrolet. The expanded facility will include car sales, service, and the storage and sale of car parts.
8:00 PM Discussion of Modifications to Section III-E of the Zoning By-Law
The Board was joined by representatives from AW Perry and Bristol Brothers Construction, to discuss potential changes to the Zoning By-Law relative to the South Hingham Development Overlay District. Former Planning Board member Richard Cook also joined the conversation.
Old/New Business
Minutes
The Board voted to approve the Minutes of June 18, 2009.
Use of Consultant Line Item in Planning Board Budget
Ms. Lacy discussed the proposed use of the funds from the Planning Board’s budget to pay for temporary assistance from Regina Hickey to work on research project being done for the Harbor Planning Task Force, which was appointed by the Selectmen. Board members agreed, but encouraged Ms. Lacy to look into possibility of funding this effort through the Selectmen’s engineering budget.
Ward Street Lacrosse Field Proposal
Ms. Lacy briefed the Board on a proposal to build two turf fields at the current location of the Ward Street Lacrosse Field.
Summer Schedule
The Board agreed to meet at 6:00 PM before the August 3 Special Town Meeting, August 17th, and August 31st.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine Lacy, Town Planner