TOWN OF PALMER
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
August 3, 2009, 7:00 pm,
Town Administration Building, Meeting Room.
Chairman Michael Marciniec called the meeting of the Planning Board to order at
7:06 PM. Present were members Norman Czech, Diane France, James Haley, Jr. and Thomas Skowyra. Also present were Town Planner Linda Leduc and Principal Clerk Mary Watson recording minutes.
7:06 PM-Continuation of Breton Estates Knox Pond Amendment to the Special Permit for modification of the Phase 2 Grading Plan and relocation of the proposed entrance on Thorndike Street for the property located at 1094 Thorndike Street, Palmer.
Present were Ray Breton and Paul Les of Breton Estates along with Donald Frydryk of Sherman and Frydryk Land Surveying and Engineering.
Member James Haley, Jr., was not present for the hearing.
Also present was John Furman of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc (VHB).
Discussions were held regarding the site visit that was held at 4:30 p.m. on August 3.
D.Frydryk stated that wood chips would be used from the clearing of Phase 2 to stabilize Phase 1 and the building would not commence until a permit is applied for with the Building Inspector.
Phase 2 would also include the Special Permit that was issued for Bradford Cutty for noncommercial earth removal for the property located on 1114 Thorndike Street.
D.Frydryk reviewed the comments from Sherman and Frydryk dated July 20, 2009 and stated, as requested by the Board at the meeting held on July 6, 2009, a Phase 1/Phase 2-sheet number 2 Close Out Plan dated July 20, 2009 has been provided. D.Frydryk explained that upon completion of the first part of Phase 2 operation if the applicant does not feel he is in the position to continue with the project, including building construction, site work will terminate and the site will be closed out as indicated. This plan includes the 120’ to 150’ natural buffer along Thorndike Street and the existing buffer/berm along Squier Street.
John Furman of VHB reviewed his comments dated August 3, 2009 stating that there is areas of concern and the applicant should provide the following information:
- A clearer representation of the excavation phases and stabilization areas.
- Correction of Phase 1 work limit line to coincide with the phase limit represented on the originally approved application. The area in question was a small cleared area along Thorndike Street.
Discussions were held pertaining to the limit of work line not matching the original approved plan from 2007.
D.Frydryk stated that this area has been loamed, seeded and has been stabilized with silt fencing and hay bales.
The Board stated that the plan must indicate the restored line to be moved back to establish what was approved on the original plan for the limit of work line.
J.Furman stated that the application material is very confusing in that the new information identifies additional sub-phases of the work. Also it focuses around the applicant making a determination in the future whether or not he is in a financial position to proceed with the project.
J.Furman asked the Board if there is a condition on the original permit issued January 10, 2007 stating that the applicant is not allowed to move into Phase 2 until the buildings have been started in Phase 1.
The Board stated that the condition on the original permit only states that a timeline must be submitted.
D.Frydryk stated that the applicant is asking for an amendment to change the timeline that was submitted on March 14, 2007.
J.Furman also stated that the terminology “close-out” is associated with gravel operation within the zoning ordinance. The applicant has utilized this wording throughout. Since this is not an earthwork operation, the applicant is advised to substitute using the word “stabilization” on future documents to avoid confusion.
Discussions were held regarding the colors on the amended plan submitted and how the colors relate to the phasing.
D.Frydryk stated he would submit a summary of the phasing and will refer to the new phase 2B.
Lynn Farrell whose property is located on 76 Squire Street asked what is the intent to build once more earth is removed and that this would change the landscape.
The Board stated that the applicant has invested a lot of money into this project and this amendment proposed by the applicant has stopped the traffic onto Squire Street.
A motion was made by N.Czech to agree with plan submitted pending the final plan. T.Skowrya seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
A motion was made by N.Czech to close the hearing. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
D.Frydryk stated he would provide the phase summary before the next meeting on August 24.
Member James Haley, Jr., joined the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
Subdivision Approval Not Required (SANR)-for the property located on 10 Ruggles Court, Three Rivers and owned by Donald Fyrdryk.
A motion was made by N.Czech to approve the SANR for 10 Ruggles Court. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
SANR-for the property located at 2028 East Street, Three Rivers and owned by Donna Stanley (LeBlanc).
A motion was made by D.France to approve the SANR for 2028 East Street, Three Rivers. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Waiver of Site Plan Approval-for the PUB Club located at Legion Field behind Converse Middle School, Palmer.
Discussions were held regarding the waiver and the Board indicated that no site plan would be needed, however it is a nonconforming structure. Therefore the applicant, Raymond Remillard, would need to apply for a Finding.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., to disapprove the waiver of site plan request for Legion Field PUB Club. D.France seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Letter from Jacques Construction-dated July 23, 2009 requesting to use a hydraulic hammer for the gravel pit located on State Street and Griffin Street, Bondsville.
A motion was made by T.Skowyra to allow the use of a hydraulic hammer for Jacques Construction’s gravel pit from August 4-October 4, 2009. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Letter from Custom Design Builders-for the property located on Chamber Road, Three Rivers dated July 27, 2009 and signed by William Lemon, Jr. The letter is requesting to use an alternative material (crushed stone) for the access way instead of pavement.
A permit for Custom Design Builders was issued on November 26, 2007. The Board discussed the runoff since the gravel would be more suspended and also the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) would need to be updated.
A motion was made by T.Skowyra to have Custom Design Builders provide an amended plan showing the change in pavement indicating crushed stone and to provide a new Total Suspended Solids (TSS) calculation. D.France seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Letter from Palmer Men’s and Women’s Softball League-a letter was sent from Charlie Smith stating they would like to install a lighting system at 1701 Park Street, Palmer on the property owned by Russell Baker.
A motion was made by J.Haley, Jr., acknowledging receipt of the letter and to have a response letter sent to the softball league stating that a site plan is required. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
Meeting Minutes of July 20, 2009-A motion was made by T.Skowyra to approve the minutes. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (4:0:1). Member D.France abstained.
Discussions were held pertaining to the letter from Linda Leduc dated July 24, 2009 that was sent to Kyle Murphy of Baltazar Contractors, Inc regarding the roadway re-construction and related work on a section of Springfield Street.
L.Leduc stated that she had spoken with Attorney Michael Ciota in which he had stated that a private company is not exempt from the zoning ordinance regardless if it is a state project. Therefore if a staging area for the project is established within town limits all uses conducted on the site will abide by that Town of Palmer’s Zoning Ordinance.
The Board discussed the email from Alan Marks dated July 29, 2009 that was sent regarding the Forest Lake Seasonal Cottage Development update.
A motion was made by N.Czech acknowledging receipt of the email from Alan Marks. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
8:23 PM-A motion was made by T.Skowyra to adjourn. J.Haley, Jr., seconded. The vote passed (5:0).
James Haley, Jr., Clerk
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