Planning Board, June 24, 2014
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
June 24, 2014
Memorial Hall
Members Present: William Ritter, John Michalak, Tina Stratis, David Lindberg, Otto Lies,
Members Absent: Scott Carlson, Jeffrey Head
Others Present: Pam Harding: Town Planner, Elizabeth Fotos: Recording Secretary
7:00 PM Meeting Called to order by W. Ritter.
Sign Bylaw:
The Board reviewed the discussion from the previous meetings.
P. Harding stated that the enforcement officer issued a determination to the zoning board about calculations regarding the permanent sign on the Reserve on Salisbury.
W. Ritter stated that it is a 40B and is exempt from the Bylaw but there is a condition in the decision which restricts the size to 20 sq.ft..
D. Lindberg noted that now that the build out was complete shouldn’t the temporary sign come down.
P. Harding indicated that the initial decision did not allow for the temporary signs and that they shouldn’t be there at all. W. Ritter said that the Board should answer any amendments if there were any. P. Harding stated that a definition was added to calculate area by drawing a box around the perimeter of the letters.
The Board also discussed the use of electronic signs in further detail.
P. Harding stated that currently flashing signs are not permitted. She specifically spoke about gas price signs that are not allowed because they change.
T. Stratis pointed out the sign by the bank.
W. Ritter pointed out the police station sign.
P. Harding verified that the Police Station was allowed because it is public safety. She further confirmed that the sign at the intersection at Shrewsbury Street and Main Street got a variance, and the Post Office got a variance for the size and the opaqueness.
W. Ritter asked the Board what they felt regarding electronic signs.
O. Lies stated that he thinks it should be addressed with the technological advancements that have taken place. He thinks it needs to be looked at based on size and location.
P. Harding stated that she doesn’t like the idea of changing and moving signs. She believes that Main Street will lose its character with this type of sign.
J. Michalak questioned if there was a way to have less restrictive bylaw or to make the sign bylaw a planning board rule.
W. Ritter stated he felt that it would be difficult to have every business in Holden come through the Planning Board to ensure their compliance.
D. Lindberg questioned the New England Sign Councils annual meeting; he couldn’t find information about this. He also pointed out that vehicles moved at a certain speed and it may pose a safety issue to have the moving signs on Main Street.
J. Michalak confirmed this is another reason he is opposed to changeable message signs.
W. Ritter confirmed that it would be convenient for gas prices to be able to have a moveable sign. He also questioned the larger signs for places like Reliant and Big Y.
P. Harding stated that they request a variance and speak to the size of the sign versus the size of the building.
The Board also discussed the difficulty in changing an entire bylaw. P. Harding stated she didn’t think the bylaw is too far off; O. Lies agreed.
W. Ritter suggested keeping the electronic signs on the Boards agenda and continuing to discuss this item further.
Approval Not Required ANR
P. Harding verified that at the last meeting the Board created lot 37 and 38; and that it was expanded to accommodate fire trucks turning. She confirmed that it was filed last week.
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by J. Michalak, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE the ANR AS PRESENTED, 5-0.
Zoning Board of Appeals- Variance- 31 January Lane- Noble Construction Driveway Location R-1
P. Harding stated that there was a provision that the driveway must be on the property that it services; it is currently on an abutting lot and they are requesting a variance to cross the lot line.
T. Stratis stated she is not sure how they will separate it with the easements.
P. Harding stated there was no driveway permits yet.
P. Harding left the meeting at 7:26PM
W. Ritter stated that this is a recommendation to the ZBA. If they are requesting a common driveway they would need to go through the common driveway process.
P. Harding returned to the meeting at 7:28PM with the plans to show the subdivision.
She showed the Board the details of the plans and the location of the driveways.
O. Lies felt it was not appropriate to have the driveway coming off a different lot.
D. Lindberg stated it should have been better planned.
W. Ritter stated that the question is whether to make a recommendation to the Zoning Board regarding the driveway location.
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by D. Lindberg, it was UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE ZONING BOARD STATING THAT THE PLANNING BOARD HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE REQUESTED RELIEF AND CONCEPTION AS TO THE LOCATION OF THE BUILDINGS AND DRIVEWAYS; THE SUBDIVISION SUBMISSION REQUIRED BUILDING AND DRIVEWAY LAYOUTS TO ENSURE BUILDING WAS POSSIBLE UNDER THE PROPOSED LOT LAYOUT, SUGGESTING THE POSSIBILITY OF POTENTIAL LOT LINE CHANGES TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
Other Business:
P. Harding noted a new definitive subdivision application was submitted for 325 Bullard Street ; the church has been demolished.
D. Lindberg asked if there has been any new information on the Mill.
P. Harding stated there was nothing new.
J. Michalak asked about the sidewalks coming up to compliance. He wanted to know if that was a Planning Board issue and if so how to start that project.
P. Harding stated the Transportation Circulation Committee created a plan, she would look into it.
T. Stratis spoke about the Mountview and how the intersection of Doyle Road and Shrewsbury Street was built out. She questioned it because of the difficult nature of the turn.
J. Michalak stated that he designed that turn in order to have the turn signals in the cars go off to address accidents at the Brattle Street/Doyle Road intersection, it also forces the drivers to slow down.
T. Stratis also questioned the turn on Newell Road and Winter Hill Road.
P. Harding confirmed it was changed as a result of the traffic study completed for the Reserve at Salisbury.
Next Meeting: July 15, 2014
Motion by O. Lies, seconded by D. Lindberg, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 24, 2014 MEETING AT 7:43PM.
APPROVED: ________________________
______________________________________
Elizabeth Fotos, Recording Secretary