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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1982-11-01 Board of Survey Minutes Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Survey convened in Room 16, Municipal Building at 8: 00 P.M. Present were Chairman Wood, Secretary Fallon, Board Members Barker, Polychrones and Griffin and Superintendent E. Roger Louanis and Assistant Superintendent William R. Bergeron. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to accept the minutes of the Board of Survey meeting of October 25, 1982 as written. Mr. Fallon read the Notice of Public Hearing at 8:00 P.M. regarding the approval, disapproval, or modification of plans for a new way called Buckskin Drive. The proposed subdivision will provide for seven (7) new lots. The roadway is located on the southerly side of Franklin Street between Blueberry Lane and Fox Run Lane. There were approximately 12 residents of the area present, as well as four members of the Conservation Commission, one member of the Planning Board, the Developer of the subdivision, James Pacy, and Mr. Robert Lynch of Northeastern Engineering Associates, the Engineer for the pro.iect. Mrs. Wood welcomed everyone to the meeting and stated that Mr. Lynch would give his presentation and questions would then be welcomed, first from the Board and then from all others present. Mr. Lynch stated the original design included 10 lots total. One lot is to be connected to Lot 17 on Blueberry Lane, another lot has the original house an it, and a third lot is being donated to the Conservation Commission. Of the remaining seven lots, one is on Franklin Street and the other six are on a 400 foot long cul-de-sac. The normal drainage is to run back on to the natural retention area, part of which is on the Conservation lot, from this lot it will i drain into the Kurchian Woods. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 2 The lots run from 20,000 square feet to 108,000 square feet, most are in the 25 - 28,000 square foot range. Utilities will be underground, except for utility wires. Mr. Lynch stated they are going to try and save as many trees as possible. Mrs. Wood asked that Mr. Lynch again explain the drainage plans. Mr. Lynch stated there are two catch basins on the plan, one will handle the westerly side and the other the easterly side of the roadway. The westerly side catches the water that comes off of lots away from the road. The water on the other side of the road will go into the other catch basin and both will go into a sand trap which will run into a 15" culvert, underground reinforced concrete pipe onto some rip-rap and then it will drain into the retention area. From the retention area there is an existing drainage ditch about a foot wide. It is now maintained privately. They propose to redo this line into an open canal and make the bottom two feet wide and slope 1 1/2 feet horizontally for every foot vertical. The ditch will be about 8 feet wide at the top. The grade on the bottom of the ditch channel will remain about the same except it will be all sloped from the retention area back to the Conervation area. The ditch will be lined with 1 1/2" rock across the bottom and on the sides. The drainage will not present any problems to abuttors as the existing property ad.iacent to Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4 are higher than the proposed construction. Mr. Ronald Weston of 63 Blueberry Lane felt he would have water problems as everything below his lot line is being changed. Mr. Lynch stated he has no intention of changing contours. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 3 Mr. Harold Hulse, Co-Chairman of the Conservation Commission, stated that for the information of the Board, the majority of the Conservation Commission has personally visited and walked the site. They believe it is exactly the way it has been presented here and the drainage is as indicated. They do feel that if this subdivision is approved, there will be variances asked for and there are many people here addressing the amount of drainage into the existing storage section and if it is the will of the Board we will address the reduction in impervious area. There are three large trees they are very concerned with, and hope their concerns are addressed. Mr. Fallon asked if these trees are in the roadway. Mr. Hulse stated no, not exactly, they would be located halfway on the proposed sidewalks. Mr. Lynch stated the sidewalk could be moved one foot. Mr. Lynch stated the trees fall about 5" into the macadam and 1 1/2 feet into the grass area. They could loop behind it and make a temporary easement for as long as the tree survives. Mr. Barker inquired what the height of the two pine trees is, and Mr. Lynch replied approximately 50 feet each. Mr. Hulse stated that just about in the center of the cul-de-sac there is a large oak tree and he asked if a small island could be built to preserve the tree. Mrs. Wood stated the construction of the island would make snow plowing very difficult. Mr. Mark E. McCabe of 308 Franklin Street stated that he has polled residents of Benton and Aurele Circles, where similar islands exist. He stated that at both streets the residents seemed to feel they had not experienced any major problems with the snow removal. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 4 Mrs. Wood stated the Board would consider the request. Mr. Robert G. Mallion of 304 Franklin Stret asked Mr. Lynch where he found the ridge on his property. He stated there is a 120 - 124 foot difference on the elevation contours as he sees it. Mr. Lynch replied that Mr. Mallion's property is up 126 feet from the proposed development except for the back corner, which slopes down. That particular ridge is not the material dug out of the present culvert area. Mr. Mallion stated his point was that the contour line swerves back in at that particular point. The ridge is not a ridge similar to where the buildings are going to be. There is a foot to 1 1/2 foot difference being referred to. He asked what the present level of the water table is and what is the projected water table level and how will that impact on that area and thus, impact on his property. Mr. Lynch stated the current low point in this retention area is somewhere down near 119 feet. Right now the water level goes up to 120.85 feet. (the majority of rainfall in April and June). Mr. Lynch stated the water table will not be affected by this construction at all. This type of ditch should not create a leaf clogging problem. Mr. Lynch stated the Town will maintain this ditch. Norma Macomber of 308 Franklin Street stated she was concerned with the possibility that her basement would be flooded by this construction. Mr. Lynch stated that they have to make sure that her water situation remains the same or improves. Mr. Robert Mallion of 304 Franklin Street asked what possibility there is of removing the area as part of the development and making the entire area a culvert and thus eliminating the ponding area. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1962 Page 5 Mr. Lynch stated part of his responsibility is that they are not allowed to change off-site drainage. The Town must give him permission to drain on the property and increase the flow. In order to fill in the retention area, the Conservation Commission would have to give permission. Harold Hulse stated that as far as the Conservation Commission is concerned, the complete plot plan has to be presented to the Conservation Commission with a filing of Notice of Intent, at which time the Conservation Commission addresses the drainage and water control issue. The Commission is dedicated to zero impact, which means neither creating a wetland nor eliminating a wetland. They will have to require of the developer that the impact on that wetland is no more or no less than the existing conditions undeveloped. Whatever excess water is placed in that area has to be removed, just as quickly as it is now. This will have to meet their specifications before it is approved. Mr. Fowler of Franklin Street stated it was his recollection that at the previous meeting, there were a number of questions asked by the Town Engineer. He asked if these have been addressed. Assistant Superintendent Bergeron stated the Developer and the Enqineer did go back and produce another set of plans. These addressed all of the Department's concerns at this time as far as drainage and improvements to the roadway area. Mr. McCabe of Franklin Street informed the Board he did a poll on cul-de-sats in the Town of Reading. He stated people who live on a 24' wide roadway felt it was safe. He has the signed results if the Board L would like them. He pointed out that the elimination of one sidewalk and the saving of the trees is imperative. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page b Mr. Ben Nichols asked if the proposed Conservation Commission land abutting the existing Conservation Commission area is being considered for drainage as a retention area. Carl Gardner of the Conservation Commission stated that since this is an existing condition where water is seasonally stored, there is no sense in filling it in. Mr. Edwin Ciampa of 315 Franklin Street stated his concern is the curve on Franklin Street where the entrance to the Subdivision is going to be built. He stated a serious traffic safety problem exists there now. Mr. Lynch stated the site distance line from this point is down past Blueberry Lane and down past Fox Run Lane, Franklin Street becomes a straightaway. Mr. William Fowler of 323 Franklin Street requested the Board do a safety inspection with the Police Department. Mrs. Wood requested a site distance study from Mr. Lynch. Mr. Fowler inquired what would happen if the DPW approves the Plan, and the Selectmen do not accept the gift of land. Mrs. Wood stated that the BPW is only concerned with the drainaqe. Mr. Gardner of the Conservation Commission stated the drainage and configuration of Lot 9 was done by Mr. Lynch. The Conservation Commission is always interested in pursuing pedestrian access to conservation areas. Mr. McCabe of 308 Franklin Street asked in regards to the design of this ditch, is it possible to design it in such a way that this will not look like a gravel drain. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 7 Mr. Lynch stated it depends on a variety of factors. Because of the fact that we have talked extensively on the design with the Conservation Commission, we are going to try to route it through the easement, but try to avoid as many of the trees as we can and disturb it as little as possible. Mr. Robert G. Mallion asked that the Board consider any variances oresented, and he hopes that Mr. Lynch and Mr. Pacy could meet with the residents to discuss their viewpoints. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to close the Hearing at 9:30 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 9:50 P.M. Superintendent Louanis stated that the Board must take action by November 5, 1982 on Buckskin Drive. He stated the Department received the plan 54 days ago. Shortly thereafter the Board was notified the plan was here. Because of other Board of Survey hearings, this hearing was delayed a week. The Board could either act on the approval tonight or request an extension from the Developer, (through a mutual agreement recorded with the Town Clerk). Mr. Fallon stated he was very displeased with potential drainage problems and if the Town of Reading does not accept Lot 9, is Lot 9 buildable. Mr. Lynch stated yes, assuming the State DEQE and the Conservation Commission agree that it is a buildable lot. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to approve the Definitive Plan of Oak Knoll Acres, Reading, Mass., dated February 10, 1982 and Lrevised July 30, 1982 showing the street to be known as Buckskin Drive. Board of Survey Meeting of November 1, 1982 Page 8 Mr. Barker requested that all future Public Hearings be held in a larger room than Room 16 of the Town Hall. Mr. Barker requested that on all future notices, the Board of Selectmen, i.e., the Police Department, be added to the list of abuttors. He also requested that a section regarding the procedures to be followed for modification of plans of an approved subdivision be added to the Board of Survey Rules and Regulations at the next updating of that document. Mr. Fallon suggested that Board of Survey Hearings be held on Thursday evenings as they have been in the past. It was moved, seconded and voted 5:0 to hold future Board of Survey hearings at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday evenings. The meeting adjourned at 10:23 P.M. Respectfully submitted, 5 cretary