HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-04-0 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of April 1, 1981
at 7:30 PM
Chairman Zorabedian called the meeting to order/in Room 19, 52
S----- with B. Mitchel, John Shaw and R. Messina present.
Also present were members of the Conservation Commi.ssionr-Select-
;abutting residents of
man M. O'Brien, Rev. Barnes, Herb Converse
proposed Horizon Homes project ~a--, wet==-_as Carl Gardner,_ Co_nserva-
tion Ad-nins strator
The concerns of the various Boards/Commissions were.expressed re.
Comprehensive Permit for Horizon Homes/Congregational Church.
Board of Selectmen per M.T. O'Brien:
-~-cs-muses-b-pro ceded, Haverhill Street is the superior
_ roadway.
Stated that the conerns of the Planning Board in this regard
had been heard, but not those of the Conservation Commission.
Chairman.Zorabed_an stated to Conservation Commission that route
of Rrep-er-ty--for water main to Haverhill Street could be paved and
used for the roadway access to the development. He reviewed the
Board's reasoning that
- Sidewalk -requirement on Bay State Road is a protection against
pedestrian accidents.
Parking requirement within poperty is to prevent overflow out
to Bay State Road.
Carl Gardner.o Conservation Lom_s-io responded.:
w 191.65 192 is:reference level for watershed in 100 year
: flood. Thus area of concern is small region near Haverhill
Street. This area, has wetland vegetation but flooding prob-
ability has not been determined.
Selectman O'Brien suggested that this area be bridged.'
Chairman H. Hulse of Conservation Commission conceded that this
possibility could be further explored in a ConCom meeting.
Chairman Zorabedian offered trade-off in reduced parking size if
access to Haverhill Street is permitted.
Chairman Hulse objected that the back road would'be much 1 a.rger
than savings o paved area (,front r/-ad andAparking. This would
<r_;
reduce water absorption capacitt of entire site. CarlA_stated that
he learned 2 days ago that current storm drains cannot handle the
anticipated runoff.
Chairman O'Brien pressed to seek precedents in other projects-where
roadway could be accommodated with strong conditions placed on
construction. She cautioned ConCom to avoid getting "locked in"
to conservation concerns and therefore not see the larger concerns
of the Town /
Chairman Hulse responded, stating .,th-ey-_,_ ad an open mind and will
consider all alternatives. He also expressed his doubts that the
back road lwt6uld provide rarkingrand at the same time permit emer-
gency vehicles to pass
Page Two
4/1/81 Meeting
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Concerns were aired re: safety ofJegress onto Haverhill Street
near rotary, M. O'Brien stated :S?,; would insist on flashing
beacon She also_st_ated that the traffic study was rM's
responsibility withPolice and Fire Chiefs. She also cautioned
the ConsCom that via`Ch. 774, the State may take over the decision-
making process and Town will lose control.
Chairman Hulse responded and recalled. that same threat was made
re: Cedar Glen,
Selectman O'Brien will ask safety officer to survey existing
.traffic and safety on Bay State Road vs. Haverhill Street and
render his judgp'ment
The Board recesses. at 8:10 PM to the 'Board of Appeals Compre-
hensive Permit hearing.
The Board reconvened at 9:15 PM to discuss events at Board of
Appeals hearing.
Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to adjourn
at 9:35 PM.
R
BJM