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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1985-10-07 Board of Survey Minutes A Meeting of the Board of Survey, October 7, 1985 Page 1 A meeting of the Board of Survey convened on October 7, 1985 at 8:00 PM in Room 17 of the Community Center located at 52 Sanborn Street, Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Secretary Hampson, acting as Chairman Pro-tem, and Board Members Ronald Boucher, Robert Griffin, and Arthur Polychrones. Also in attendance were Assistant Superintendents William A. Redford and Edward D. McIntire Jr. The Notice of Public Hearing was read aloud as follows: Notice is hereby given that the Board of Survey of the Town of Reading will hold a PRELIMINARY Hearing in Room 17, of the Community Center located at 52 Sanborn Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 8:00 PM on Monday evening, October 7, 1985 regarding the approval, disapproval or modification of plans for a proposed five (5) Lot Subdivision and one (1) proposed roadway of a single existing lot referenced as Plat 128, Lot 32 located on Forest Street. There were approximately I5 abbutters and concerned citizens in attendance for the hearing. The Chair gave a brief explanation of the procedure and 0. Bradley Latham, attorney for the applicant, gave a brief explanation of the proposed development, followed by a formal presentation by Mr. William Bergeron of Hayes Engineering. Detailed plans were shown of the site showing the existing sewer main with a sewer ejector placed on each of the four (4) house lots. Catch basins were planned to be located at the bottom of the cul-de-sac to catch run off. Assistant Superintendent Redford followed the presentation with a list of ten concerns and comments from the Engineering Division of the Board of Public Works. (See attached list) A Meeting of the Board of Survey, October 7, 1985 Page 2 The discussion continued covering various drainage, sewer lines, and elevation information. A motion was made and voted 4: 0: 0 to close the meeting with an agreement by the applicant to a two week delay in order to allow the Board of Health to review the plans. The next Board of Survey meeting began at 8:35 PM with the reading of the Notice of a Public Hearing: Notice is hereby given that the Board of Survey of the Town of Reading will hold a PRELIMINARY Hearing in Room 17, of the Community Center, located at 52 Sanborn Street, Reading, Massachusetts at 8:30 PM on Monday evening, October 7, 1985 regarding the approval, disapproval or modification of plans for a proposed roadway to service two (2) existing lots referenced by the Reading Assessors as Plat 60, Lot 17 and Plat 69, Lot 55 located westerly off Summer Avenue. Approximately 35 abbutters signed in and numerous other concerned citizens were in attendance. A presentation for the applicant was made by Surveyor Howard Buttrick. He explained the continuation of Grant Street was being requested in order to gain access to two (2) buildable lots. Assistant Superintendent Redford followed the presentation with a list of 13 concerns from Engineering. (See attached list) A two week delay was asked for due to a need for review by the Board of Health. A petition with regard to this project was presented to the Board in objection to the proposed development. Signed by 86 abbutters, it sited various concerns such as loss of space, safety, and flooding. A lengthy discussion ensued on all aspects of the project including ownership rights of Grant Avenue, the need for a turn around at the end of the street, sidewalks, required lot size and flooding caused by run off water. A Meeting of the Board of Survey, October 7, 1985 Page 3 ' Attorney T. Richard Cuffe, Jr. spoke on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy (abbutters). He noted various grades and slopes in the area could cause hardship to others with the development of this property. An abbutter, Mr. Robert Martin, voiced a concern as to how close the proposed development will come to his home. Assistant Superintendent Redford assured him that he was protected by the Zoning By-laws as to how close it could be developed. The question of ownership of the paper street was discussed and agreed that research was needed to see if it was a common ownership. After the Board agreed with the abbutters request to visit the site, it was moved, seconded, and voted 4:0:0 to adjourn the Public Hearing. At 9:45 PM the final Board of Survey hearing began with the reading of the Notice of Public Hearing: Notice is hereby given that the Board of Survey of the Town of Reading will hold a PRELIMINARY Hearing in Room 17, of the Community Center, located at 52 Sanborn Street, Reading, Massarhusetts at 9: 15 PM on Monday evening, October 7, 1985 regarding the approval, disapproval or modification of plans for a proposed roadway extending southerly off Salem Street with a proposed connection to Pleasant Street Extension, and to re-subdivide six (6) existing lots into three (3) new lots referenced by the Reading Assessors as Plat 92, Lot 1 and Plat 68, Lots 1, 2, 3, 9, and 10 located southerly off Salem Street and easterly off Pleasant Street Extention. Approximately 25 abbutters were present. 0. Bradley Latham, attorney for the applicant, gave a brief summary of the proposed townhouse development. A Meeting of the Board of Survey, October 7, 1985 Page 4 The entire area is surrounded by wetlands, some of which must be filled in order to make the roadway. Drainage is planned to run off on the Westerly side of the property which caused concern to abbutting neighbors. Assistant Superintendent William A. Redford addressed a long list of 16 concerns with regard to the engineering standards. (See attached list) He also noted that the Board of Health has expressed concerns of their own over this project. A request was sited for the need of a barrier at the end of Smith Avenue, The Engineer for the project, George LaMasurier, said they did not have a problem with the request. In rebuttal to a question with regard to the location of this barrier, he said it would be placed on the applicant's property, behind the trees at the end of Smith Avenue. Several times during the course of discussion the attorney, 0. Bradley Latham, assured abbutters that there will not be, at any time, an intention of using the end of Pleasant Street as an access or exit for the proposed development. It will be gated, locked, and used for emergency vehicles only. Assistant Superintendent Redford stated that the developer's intention on water, sewer, and hydrant plans must be addressed by the final hearing. Mr. Philip LeBlanc of 14 Gardner Road voiced his objection to any possibility of opening the end of Pleasant Street, siting problem congestion already in the area due to the Little League Park. Mr. David Powers of 235 Pleasant Street objected to how close the roadway came to his house. He found the plan offensive and questioned ' whether or not the bend in the roadway could be changed slightly to eliminate the obtrusion. A Meeting of the Board of Survey, October 7, 1985 Page 5 ' During further discussion Assistant Superintendent Redford expressed the need for additional area for trees and plantings. Sohn O'Brien of 17 Smith Avenue asked questions regarding the change of a gentle sloping area at the end of Smith Avenue to a drop of more than three (3) feet. The Engineer replied that this area was being used to compensate for the extra overflow of run off water from the paved roadway. Abbutters were opposed to this proposal due to the already flooded area. Gail wood of 213 Pleasant Street cautioned that all this run off water collected in such a small area will make the flooding even more severe. Ms. Wood continued discussion with regard to a request for a tie into the water line on Smith Avenue so that it would be looped. The developer saw no problem with such a request. It was agreed that there were several serious concerns that need to be addressed by the developer before a final plan could be presented for approval. A motion was made to adjourn and voted 4:0:0. Respectfuullly" submitted, ✓ ecre ry �I�/"