Planning Board
August 10, 2020
Attending: John Kincart, William LaScala, Aaron Bock, Robert Garrigan
REGULAR MEETING
1. Correspondence
Atlantic Appliance: Acting chair Kincart read out loud a memo from the Tree Conservation Advisory Commission opposing the approved tree mitigation plan as inadequate because it failed to adequately address the lost functions of the woodlands that were being disturbed/eliminated as a result of the development plan.
2. Pied Piper Preschool, Crompond Road
Without comment, the board approved the first one year time extension.
3. Gallinelli Minor Subdivision, Quinlan Street
(See Planning Board, 8-12-2019.) The board reapproved the subdivision for six months. Mr. Riina explained that the applicant is having difficulty coming up with the money for the fees that must be paid before the subdivision map can be filed.
The board approved the amended site plan that calls for 40 parking spaces, plus two additional spaces that can be paved if the board is advised at a future date that there is a parking problem. The required 42 spaces incorporate a waiver of the required number of parking spaces under the town code. No tenant has been identified yet for the second space. The board also approved an outdoor seating permit for 12 seats for one year that is subject to renewal for intervals of up to five years. The applicant said he was “in the homestretch” in his discussions with the state DOT about reopening the second access to Route 202.
NOTE: The originally scheduled hearing on the Nantucket site plan (Kear St) was postponed until September 14 because some parts of town are still without internet access.
WORK SESSION
4. Sandvoss subdivision, Hanover Street
Mr. Kincart recused himself. Mr. Riina explained that the applicant has all the required approvals and is ready for final board approval. A draft approval resolution was prepared but Mr. Riina had not seen a copy so a final vote was postponed until September.
5. Hilltop Hanover Subdivision Lot #10, White Horse Lane
The applicant wants to move the location of the proposed new house shown on an earlier approved subdivision plan; the new location involves a change in elevation. The relocation involves multiple issues, including stormwater, a drainage pond on the lot that has not been adequately maintained, tree removal and the location of the septic field. There is also the issue of how to remediate disturbance to an existing wetland that was done without a permit. Mr. Riina addressed some of the issues but it was clear that the plan needed more review.
In 2019, the board approved an elevation change for lot #9 in the subdivision.
6. CVS/Commerce Street
The owner of the shopping center, acting on a request from CVS, plans to install curbed planting beds along the sidewalk of the CVS building and adjoining stores. The plan is in response to an earlier accident when a car drove into the CVS building. The plan, which includes bollards mixed in with the plantings, also adds planting beds to the two islands at the end of the parking area. The board welcomed the plan but wanted more detailed information about the planting beds and the size and location of the bollards. The company plans to repave the lot in the fall and would like the have this new work, which will be in the asphalt area, completed before then. A September hearing on an amended site plan is possible.
In response to comments from Mr. LaScala, the owner was asked to look into the positioning of the outdoor lights; it was suggested that the fixtures nee3ded to be “tilted” in order to reduce glare.
Parks Superintendent Jim Martorano, Jr. advised the board that the operators of the facility have obtained a SPDES permit from the DEC, that the violation notice has been lifted and that work can proceed.
Applying the provisions in the Zoning Code for Par 3 courses, it was determined that 45 spaces were needed based on five spaces for each of the nine holes; the number did not take into account the anticipated number of employees (the code requires one space for every two employees). It was explained that the Code did not require the board to consider parking requirements for a separate restaurant use. The site plan shows 48 spaces, thereby meeting the parking requirements, and it was pointed out that overflow can use the abutting parking strip along Route 6.
A few issues remained to be cleared up, including completing the paperwork for the application although it is anticipated that the application fee will be waived and correcting some questions on an earlier EAF.
A September hearing is planned. Mr. Tegeder advised Mr. Martorano that at the hearing, there should be a full description of the entire project, not just the restaurant building and that the presentation should be done by the project’s engineer.
8. Ryder subdivision, Underhill Avenue
(See Planning Board 11-9-2015.) Dan Ciarcia advised the board that his client wants to “get back on track” with the subdivision application that was last before the board in November, 2015 for a Public Informational Hearing. Given the amount of time since the hearing, he said a new survey will be needed as well as a tree survey for the proposed area of disturbance. It was not clear if the prior wetlands delineation had ever been confirmed or whether a new wetlands survey will be needed. However, Mr. Cirarcia questioned whether there was a genuine ‘swmapy” wetland or just “seasonal seepage,” adding that the area in question can be mowed. He will return to the board at a subsequent meeting.
9. Hemlock Hills Solar Farm, Croton Avenue
The item was withdrawn from the agenda. No reason was given.
10. Broad Pines subdivision, Broad Street
(See Planning Board, 2-10-2020.) In an item not on the agenda, the board’s attorney advised the board of the conditions in the 1990 subdivision approval that have not been made, including deeding lot #7 to the town for open space, providing a widening strip at the corner of Granite Springs Road and Broad Street, and providing an easement for an access road into lot #7. These issues are holding up the person who wants to buy and develop lots # 5 & 6. The attorney explained that while a deed for lot #7 had been prepared years ago, it was never field and was no longer valid; a new one needs to be prepared. He also suggested that to move things forward, the board could amend the 1990 approval resolution so that the widening strip and easement could be deeded to the town by resolution as opposed to deed. The board agreed with the idea.
Mr. Kincart raised the question of why the town would want lot #7 which was wet. He also questioned whether lots #5 & 6 could be developed at all and wondered how knowledgeable the prospective buyer was about the site’s environmental conditions.