2010-11-01 Community Planning and Development Commission Minutes

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CPDC Minutes of 11/1/2010 %NS asked if there would be rental restrictions on the condominium owners. Mr. Blute replied that homeowner rights cannot be restricted but the Homeowner Association document can specify guidelines on short-term leases. NS asked if the parking under the buildings would be below grade as shown in the submitted.building renderings. He emphasized that the formal application should show what the buildings would actually look like. Mr. Blute said the grading plans were not yet complete. GK reminded the Board that when National Development made its proposal there was an expectation that there would be more mixed-use and that the southeast district (quadrant "D") would contain a non- residential use. He expressed concern over the proximity, scale and number of buildings proposed and noted that although the town would have some control over the design of those buildings within the GSGD quadrant (through the GSGD's design guidelines), he asked what if any control the town would have on the buildings in the other quadrants. Also, would the town have any control over site features, topography, etc. The Board noted that there are no-build setbacks, buffer zones, and height restrictions in place across the entire site. Public Comment Some abutters expressed concern that the proposed pedestrian access to South Street may disrupt their neighborhood. Mr. Mastroianni noted that a key feature of the Development Agreement is to provide public access to the surrounding neighborhood. He also noted that each individual abutter's property :would be reviewed with regards to meeting the abutter's buffer needs. Joan Neary of 355 South Street also expressed concern over the size, proximity, and style of the buildings. Tim O'Connor of 96 Curtis Street: noting that construction would be done in stages by quadrant, Mr. O'Connor expressed concern that at some future date Pulte Homes might decide residential units are no longer profitable and construct office or retail in one or more of the quadrants. The Board noted that such a change would have to be approved by the CPDC and possibly other Boards and Commissions. Tony D'Arezzo, 130 John Street asked if there were plans for an MBTA bus stop at the site. Mr. Blute said there were no plans for a bus stop at the present. No action was taken by the Board Request for a Minor Modification to an approved Site Plan Review Waiver 1321 Main Street The request was to be allowed to reduce both the length of the center landscaping island and proportionately the amount of landscaping on the site agreed to in the waiver. Jack Sullivan, engineer for the applicant, was present. He explained that although the Board had. approved reduced curbcut widths the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has repeatedly rejected his client's request to reduce the widths. In fact, the Mass DOT has determined the curbcut must be approximately 80 feet wide which .is wider than they are today. The only way to widen the curbcut is to reduce the island. The applicant 'still intends to repave and restripe the parking lot and add what landscaping he can. Page 3 of 5