TOWN OF PALMER
Planning Board Meeting Minutes
November 2, 2009, 7:00 pm,
Town Administration Building, Meeting Room.
Chairman Michael Marciniec called the meeting of the Planning Board to order at
7:00 PM. Present were members Norman Czech, Diane France and Thomas Skowyra. Also present were Town Planner Linda Leduc and Principal Clerk Mary Watson recording the minutes. Member James Haley, Jr., was absent.
7:00 PM-Renewal of Special Permit for Erica Enos to continue to operate a hair salon at her home located on 8 Holbrook Street, Palmer.
The applicant Erica Enos was present.
M.Marciniec explained that this is a one-time renewal and asked if there has been any correspondence regarding the home occupancy.
M.Watson stated that there have been no complaints or concerns.
A motion was made by D.France to renew the home occupancy permit for Erica Enos whose property is located at 8 Holbrook Street, Palmer. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
Meeting Minutes of October 19, 2009-A motion was made by D.France to approve the minutes. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
The Board discussed the peer review account. L.Leduc stated that she would give a letter to the Town Treasurer that the correct amount to go into escrow should be $ 20, 814.71.
A motion was made by N.Czech to have the new amount of $ 20,814.71 in an escrow account. D.France seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
The Board discussed the R.B. Enterprises letter dated October 19, 2009 that had been tabled from the previous meeting. All Board members visited the site prior to the meeting.
The Board stated that they are concerned with R.B. Enterprises bringing rock into the site to be crushed since there does not seem to be a large amount of rocks present.
A motion was made by D.France to approve the crushing request from
November 3-December 4, 2009 for R.B. Enterprises gravel pit located Off River Street, Palmer. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
A letter will be sent to R.B. Enterprises stating that they are not allowed to bring rocks onto the site to be crushed.
7:18 PM-Site Plan Approval for West County Equipment Rental-the applicant, Craig Sessions is proposing to operate an equipment sales, rental business and retail sales operation at the site located at 1182 Park Street, Palmer.
Present were the applicant, Craig Sessions and Donald Frydryk of Sherman and Frydryk Land Surveying and Engineering.
A motion was made by D.France acknowledging receipt of the interoffice memorandum dated November 2, 2009 from the Town Planner. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
D.Frydryk presented the Site Plan to the Board stating that there would be no new construction at the site.
M.Marciniec explained that the applicant applied for Site Plan Approval only, not a Special Permit, however the property is located in the Primary Recharge Area, which may require a Special Permit.
D.Frydryk staed that the applicant is currently operating his equipment rental business at the Griswold Glass property located at 1184 Park Street.
D.Frydryk stated that the applicant is proposing two outdoor display areas, parking in front with employee parking in the rear, the relocation of fence on the westerly side, along with the relocation of the shed. The lighting is currently at the front and rear and would not emit onto the abutters property.
M.Marciniec stated that the Board approved the equipment rental business on the adjacent property in 2007. At that time the difference was that there was no stormwater ordinance in place and since then this is a state requirement. Therefore, the Town Council adopted a stormwater ordinance in the spring of 2009. The applicant, Craig Sessions chose not to apply for a Special Permit under section 171-69 Water Supply Protection District until a decision is made from the Board regarding the Site Plan Approval.
M.Marciniec requested that the Board determine whether the site plan is sufficient. The Board concurred that the site plan is sufficient under the conditions that no equipment should be placed to the rear of the building and the rear of the building is to remain graveled.
D.Frydryk stated that there would be an increase in the paved areas in the rear to meet the requirements of the Special Permit creating additional impervious areas to the stormwater design and stormwater permit.
D.Frydryk asked the Board what changes would need to be made to the site plan so that the applicant can estimate the additional cost.
M.Marciniec asked the applicant if he would be repairing the equipment on the site.
C.Sessions stated that no repairs would be conducted at the site; it would be done in Shelburne Falls.
M.Marciniec asked what existing areas are paved on the site.
D.Frydryk stated that the property is paved in the front up to the door.
Thomas and Patricia Kinner, the current owners of Country Rose Florist were present and stated that the front areas on the property are paved.
C.Sessions stated that there would be no hazardous materials stored on the site.
L.Leduc asked how many pieces of equipment would be stored at the site at once.
C.Sessions stated that approximately six pieces of equipment would be stored including a truck and a trailer to be parked in the back.
Discussions were held regarding the parking and the paved areas.
L.Leduc asked if the applicant could have concrete pads under the equipment.
The Board stated that no equipment could be left or parked in the rear of the building.
C.Sessions asked if he paved all areas where equipment is parked does he need drainage.
M.Marciniec asked about the hours of operation.
C.Sessions stated that currently the business is operating all day, seven days a week, however the new location would be Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. and Saturday 7:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
M.Marciniec asked the applicant to be considerate of the abutters particularly with the equipment in the early morning hours.
Sherylanne Griswold was present and asked about the signage and the setback. She stated that all ground signs must be away from the road so that she can see when leaving the property.
D.Frydryk stated that there are no ground signs proposed.
Discussions were held regarding the parking spaces on the Site Plan.
L.Leduc stated that the spaces are not marked on the Site Plan and are unclear.
D.Frydryk stated that the spaces are proposed and would be marked once approved.
M.Marciniec stated that there are other areas on the Site Plan that would need clarification including the demarcating the front shop area from the back, labeling employee parking.
D.Frydryk stated that he would provide a hazardous material list for the Board.
Discussions were held pertaining to the current location of the dumpster on the site.
M.Marciniec stated that the dumpster must be in a fenced in area.
A motion was made by D.France to waive the requirement of the topographic map. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
A motion was made by T.Skowyra to continue the hearing for West County Equipment Rentals to November 16, 2009 at 7:15 p.m. N.Czech seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
7:58 PM-A motion was made by D.France to adjourn. T.Skowyra seconded. The vote passed (4:0).
James Haley, Jr., Clerk
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