7:00 PM Vote to Continue Hearing: 303 Gardner–Definitive Subdivision Plan
7:10 PM Vote to Continue Hearing: 105 Research Road-Site Plan Review
7:20 PM Preliminary Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-Law*
Old/New Business
1. Minutes of July 25, 2011
2. Discussion for Planning Board members’ reorganization
3. Discussion of possible Master Plan Update?
* This is not a formally noticed “public hearing” as defined in M.G.L Chapter 40A Section 5, though the public is always welcome to attend and offer input on all matters.
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Present: Planning Board Members, Sarah Corey, Paul Healey, Judy Sneath, Gary Tondorf-Dick and Alternate Member James Costello. Also present was Community Planning Director Katharine Lacy.
7:00 PM Vote to Continue Hearing: 303 Gardner–Definitive Subdivision Plan
The Board held the first hearing on this on July 25, 2011. At that hearing the Board members present agreed in concept to various aspects of the plan (proposed drainage, site distance requirements, and requested waivers) and requested additional information on the extent of vegetative clearing needed on Gardner Street, as well as potential impacts of the project on current flooding problems at neighboring properties. On July 17, 2011 the Board of Health denied the project due to lack of information from Aquarion, as well as some missing information on the plan relative to the location of nearby wells. The Applicant is currently working on revising the plans to address BOH concerns but they do not anticipate having this resolved until September as they have to re-apply and have a new hearing.
Because this plan had a Preliminary Subdivision Approval the deadline for Board action was accelerated to September 22 (90 days as opposed to 135). We received a letter from the Applicant requesting a continuance to October 15.
It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, to approve the continuation of the hearing until October 15, 2011on plan entitled “Lotting Sheet 303 Gardner Street, Definitive Subdivision Plan of Land in Hingham, MA,” prepared by James Engineering, Inc., 125 Great Rock Road, Hanover, MA, dated June 17, 2011 consisting of five (5) sheets for Gerry Rankine, 5 Triphammer Road, Hingham, MA (the “Applicant”).
7:10 PM Vote to Continue Hearing: 105 Research Road-Site Plan Review
South Shore Educational Collaborative
The Board held the first hearing on this on June 13, 2011. In the interim the Applicant has met with DPW, Conservation, Planning and John Chessia (Town’s peer review engineer) several times in the hopes of resolving all outstanding issues for the next Planning Board hearing. They have revised their drainage plan, but John Chessia has not had a chance to review it in time for this meeting.
The Applicant has granted an extension to the time allowed for Site Plan Review in association with a Building Permit from July 15, 2011 to September 1, 2011 in order to give Mr. Chessia time to review the changes to the plan.
It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, to approve the continuation of the hearing for Site Plan Review until August 29, 2011 on plan entitled “South Shore Educational Collaborative,” prepared by Coler & Colantonio, Inc., 101 Accord Park Drive, Norwell, MA dated June 1, 2011 for the renovation and expansion of the 58,000 s.f. existing building to create an 84,000 s.f. building located at 105 Research Road.
Montessori School – 20 Derby Street
Mr. Tondorf-Dick asked questions that were brought to his attention by the neighbors of the Montessori School in regards to the new modular buildings and the new fence. Ms. Lacy stated that the condition in the permit states that the fence of the property was to be a residential style fence. During the permitting process the Applicant worked with neighbors on deciding what type of fence would be installed. The Applicant has complied with the condition. The modular buildings are two buildings with a bathroom that resembles a little schoolhouse. The Board discussed the colors and stated that they have no jurisdiction on the color design.
7:20 PM Preliminary Discussion of Proposed Amendments to the Zoning By-Law*
Attorney Robert Devin presented two proposed amendments of the Zoning By-Law to the Board. These amendments were requested by the Derby Street Shoppes. Carolyn Kennedy and Michael Campbell were in attendance for the Derby Street Shoppes.
The amendments proposed to Sign By-Law are 1) to allow Electronic Message Signs in the Industrial Park District within the South Hingham Development Overlay District. The Electronic Message Signs would allow the Derby Street Shoppes to have changeable signs within the shopping area. The signs would fade out, dim down at night, be turned off when the shops were closed and be situated perpendicular to the street. The signs as proposed would be for the advertising of sales, functions, town events and emergency alerts such as Amber Alerts and 2) to allow Off-Premise Signs in the Industrial Park District within the South Hingham Development Overlay District which would allow for advertisement of businesses not located at the Derby Street Shoppes which would include the advertisement for vehicles.
Old/New Business
Discussion of possible Master Plan Update
Ms. Lacy advised the Board that the Town would be looking for funds to update the Master plan. Ms Lacy suggested that the Town of Hingham seek support from the Sustainable Communities Program to provide funds from MAPC staff to work along with Town Planning staff and volunteers to initiate an update of the Town’s 2001 Master Plan. A primary goal for this project is to create a model for meaningful public engagement in the municipal master planning process using innovative techniques that could be adapted by other cities and towns.
The Board agreed with Ms. Lacy to pursue obtaining funds and creating public outreach that would be welcomed and informative.
South Shore Baptist Church – 578 Main Street
Ms. Lacy informed the Board that the Historic Districts Commission (HDC) has rescinded its Certificate of Appropriateness for South Shore Baptist Church (SSBC) due, in part, to issues related to the landscape plan approved by the Planning Board in 2009 after numerous public hearings, and currently installed in the ground according to the approved plan. At this point the Applicant is working with the church to come to some sort of resolution that satisfies the HDC. If this results in a modification to the approved site plan the Applicant will then have to come back before the Planning Board to request a modification, and then they will have to make whatever changes on the ground that are required.
Ms. Sneath expressed concern that a Town Board could request revisions to an approved plan when an applicant is in compliance with the permit, and the project was already built. Other Board members questioned whether site landscaping was truly within the jurisdiction of the Historic Districts Commission, or whether it was a part of site plan review.
It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, to request funds to obtain an opinion from legal counsel for clarification on the issue of which board has the authority to regulate outdoor landscaping, particularly on a site protected by the Dover amendment. Chairman Sarah Corey agreed to contact Sukey Berry, HDC Chairman, to let her know that this request was being made.
The Board approved minutes of July 14 and July 25, 2011.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen Clancy, Community Planning Administrator