1998-08-18Chairperson
Ellen K. Flannery
Richard Dinkin /~%'---
i: Salvatore Modugno
Vice Chairman ~ ~'i Robert Rink
William Delaney ~: ~/;/ Barry Sullivan
Planning Director Peter M. Thomas
Tina P. Cassidy John Thomson
Minutes
August 18, 1998 Meeting
Members present: Chairperson Richard Dinkin, Vice-chairman Bill Delaney, John Thomson,
Barry Sullivan, Joanne Dunn, Peter Thomas, Ellen Flannery, Rob Rink.
Chairperson Dinkin calls the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
Delaney: motion to recess regular meeting for public heating, seconded by Thomas. All
members in favor, motion carries.
1. Public Hearing: Request for modification to approved site plan: proposed
Walgreen's establishment at the corner of Rantoul and Elliott Streets / Suncor
Development
Dinkin declares the public heating open and Cassidy reads the legal notice. Attorney Bernard
Shadrawy is present to represent the applicant and explains that the company has negotiated the
purchase of an abutting property formerly owned by the Union Association, and the company
intends to expand its development site to include this land at 401 Rantoul Street. He explains
that additional landscaping will be installed on the site as a result of this acquisition, that the
location of the southem-most driveway will be relocated southward to increase the distance
between it and the Rantoul/Elliott Streets intersection, and that the original location of the
dumpster will be changed. Instead of a dumpster along the Roundy Street property line as
originally proposed, the company will use a compactor instead which will be located at the rear
of the building and enclosed. He distributes a detail sheet of the compactor enclosure to the
members.
Shadrawy also informs members that the subject of demolition of the existing building at 401
Rantoul Street will be heard by the Historic District Commission on August 251h, and the
company hopes to begin construction of the new facility in September.
Dinkin explains the structure of the public heating, and Cassidy then reads letters from various
City departments (see file).
City Hall 191 Cabot Street Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 (978) 921-6000 Fax (978) 922-0285
Planning Board Minutes
August 18, 1998 meeting
page two
Thomson asks what the noise level of the compactor will be at the property line. Shadrawy
answers less than three decibels. Sullivan asks Shadrawy to explain any difference in the
frequency of trash pick-up that might result from the decision not to use a dumpster, and how
truck traffic will be routed onto and through the site as a result of the proposed site plan
amendments. Shadrawy states that the compactor will need to be emptied only half as often as
a dumpsteL and that the new location will be farther from the houses on Roundy Street than the
original location would have been. The compactor also has three times the capacity of a
dumpster. He notes that while the entrance driveway on Rantoul Street will be shifted
southward, there will be no changes to any other driveways and no changes to the circulation
patterns on site. He reminds members that deliveries to this store will be via a 28' long "pup"
truck, which is much smaller than a typical tractor trailer.
Delaney asks Shadrawy for the height of the compactor enclosure and the location of the doors
to it. Shadrawy states that the compactor will be completely enclosed with a 6' high brick
structure. The gates will be solid galvanized steel and approximately 4'10" high. Delaney asks
Cassidy to explain the Design Review Board's recommendation regarding access, and she does.
Flannery asks on what days deliveries will be made and at what time of day deliveries will take
place. Shadrawy states that while the company cannot specify a certain day or time for deliveries
because of the special truck that will be used, deliveries will take place between the hours of 8:00
a.m. and 11:00 p.m., as the existing store is now serviced.
Dinkin asks if the curb cuts as currently designed would be sufficient to permit full-sized trucks
to access the site. Shadrawy states that they are. Dinkin asks if under any circumstance full-
sized trucks would be used. Shadrawy states that while the Walgreen's Corporation has
committed to using a 28' truck, there will be other deliveries from vendors (i.e. soft drinks,
prescription drugs) who may use larger equipment for deliveries. Rink questions the need for
two accesses onto Chase Street, which has several residences on it.
Dinkin asks if there are any other questions from the members at this point. Hearing none, he
asks if there are members of the public who wish to speak. Rosemary Maglio, 30 Pleasant
Street, asks Shadrawy how the company intends to screen the driveway from the residences as
required by the zoning ordinance. Shadrawy introduces Ed Gless from Atlantic Design Engineers
to answer the question. Gless explains that all parking lots lights will be equipped with hoods
to reduce glare, but that there is no possible way to screen a driveway opening. He reviews the
landscaping details for the site. Maglio points out that two curb cuts could be placed on Rantoul
Street. Shadrawy responds that it would not be safe to have two driveways on Rantoul Street
due to the close proximity of the RantouFElliott Street intersection and traffic lights. The
queuing at the traffic light would create a conflict at a second driveway.
Debbie Brown, 49 Chase Street, asks how often the compactor will be emptied. Shadrawy
answers once per week. She asks if deliveries will be confined to the hours of operation of the
establishment. Shadrawy states that the company has committed to that. Joan Johnson, 677 Hale
Planning Board Minutes
August 18, 1998 meeting
page three
Street, asks if the company would consider restricting the hours of compactor operation and
service as well. Shadrawy states that the company would agree to confine all compactor
servicing to regular store hours. Brown asks Dinkin if this could be imposed as a condition of
site plan approval. Dinkin states that it can be.
Mary Rodrick, 14 Peabody Avenue, asks if trucks entering Chase Street from the site will turn
left or fight. Shadrawy states that trucks will be permitted to turn in either direction, unless the
City changes the traffic patterns of the roadway. Brown asks if the Chase Street driveway closest
to Roundy Street could be posted "Deliveries only - Do Not Enter". Shadrawy states that the
company could not enforce such a posting, and would be reluctant to post such a message
knowing that enforcement could not be accomplished.
Dinkin recesses the public hearing for ten minutes.
Dinkin calls the public hearing back into session, and asks members of the public to continue
with any questions or comments.
Maglio asks if the driveway from Rantoul Street will go straight through to Chase Street with
the revised site plan. Shadrawy states that it will, and notes that the existing curb cut on Rantoul
Street servicing the union hall will be eliminated. Delaney expresses concern about the Chase
Street curb cut, and asks if there is any way to revise the proposed traffic circulation on the site
to lessen the impact on the abutting neighborhood. Shadrawy states that the site plan has been
reviewed from an engineering perspective several times to investigate alternative patterns, and
that the plan before the Board now depicts the safest solution. Track clearance around the drive-
through, pedestrian walkway areas, and avoidance of the need for three-point turns have been part
of the discussion and design process.
City Councilor Joyce McMahon states that if the use of Chase and Roundy Streets becomes
problematic as a result of this development, the direction of traffic on Roundy Street could be
reversed. She pledges her support and assistance to the neighbors in this effort if it is needed
in the future.
Dinkin asks if any members of the audience wish to be recorded as being in favor of this project.
McMahon states that the development process for this project has been a very long and public
one, and believes the site plan now before the Board is the best one that the City can get for this
site. She expresses her hope that the project will be approved. City Councilor John Murray
states that the subject of selling this site to Walgreen's was discussed by the City Council
previously, and asks to be recorded as being in support of the plan.
Dinkin asks if any members of the audience wish to be recorded as being in opposition to the
revised site plan. Debbie Brown asks the Board to consider any mechanism available to reduce
the number of curb cuts onto Chase Street, and to impose, as conditions of approval, limitations
Planning Board Minutes
August 18, 1998 meeting
page four
on hours of trash pick-up and deliveries, the posting of a "do not enter" sign on the Chase Street
driveway, and a requirement that trucks on the site turn off their engines while deliveries are
being made. Maglio states that the project will have a negative impact on the adjacent residential
neighborhood. Rodrick states that she agrees with both previous speakers.
Dinkin asks if there is any other member of the public wishing to comment. Hearing none,
Dinkin closes the public hearing at 9:40 p.m. and calls the Board back into regular session.
2. Discussion/decision: Proposed modifications to approved site plan for Walgreen 's
establishment at the corner of Rantoul and E!!iott Streets / Suncor Development
Delaney states that the Planning Board has reviewed the site plan and property extensively, and
that members had an obligation to investigate every angle and concern surrounding this proposal.
He states that the public input the Board has received has been very useful. He is inclined to
approve the modification with a series of conditions. Thomson states that he share's Delaney's
views, and suggests that the Board consider setting limits on the decibel levels of the compactor.
Dinkin asks if there are any additional comments. There are none.
Delaney: motion to approve the modifications to the previously-approved site plan for the
Walgreen's Corporation as proposed, subject to the following conditions:
1. That comments contained in a letter from the City Engineer dated August
18, 1998 be incorporated into the site plan;
2. That the hours of operation of this establishment shall be 8:00 a.m. to
11:00 p.m.;
3. That deliveries of goods to the store and the operation of the trash
compactor be limited to the hours of 8:00 a.m. to
5:00 p.m.;
4. That the engines of all delivery vehicles shall' be required to be turned off
while deliveries are being made;
r 5. That a sign shall be placed near the curb cut on Chase Street closest to
Roundy Street stating "Do Not Enter";
6. That the noise level of the operating trash compactor shall not exceed six
(6) decibels as measured at the Walgreen's property line on Chase Street;
and
7. That all other conditions previously imposed on this site plan remain in
full force and effect.
Motion is seconded by Thomas, all members in favor. Motion carries.
Planning Board minutes
August 18, 1998 meeting
page five
3_ Subdivision Approval Not Required Plans (SANR's}
a. 401 Rantoul Street / Walgreen's Corporation
Cassidy explains that this ANR has been filed by the Walgreen's Corporation seeking to
incorporate the property at 401 Rantoul Street into the development site. The plan meets the
Board's requirements for endorsement as an ANR.
Thomson: motion to endorse the plan of land submitted for 4.01 Rantoul Street as one not
requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law, seconded by Flannery. All
members in favor, motion carries.
b. 590 - 600 Hale Street / Sheila Kellogg, Trustee, Stores at Prides Crossing
Attorney John Glovsky, representing Sheila Kellogg, explains the ANR to the Board. Once
registered, this plan will eliminate the non-conforming nature of one of the parcels involved.
Cassidy states that the plan meets the Board's requirements for endorsement as an ANR.
Delaney: motion to endorse the plan of land submitted for 590400 Hale Street as one not
requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law, seconded by Thomas. All
members in favor, motion carries.
c. 48-50 Hillcrest Avenue / Wayne & Susan Reutter, Joan Gibson
Cassidy explains that the owners of property at 50 Hillcrest Avenue have agreed to sell a sliver
of their property to their neighbor at 48 Hillcrest Avenue. While the lot line amendments shown
on the plan are acceptable, there are several plan deficiencies that must be corrected before the
Board endorses the plan. She lists the plan deficiencies for the Board, which include lack of a
locus plan at a scale of 1"=800', location of the nearest fire hydrant, and a notation stating that
"endorsement of this plan as one not requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law is
not a determination as to conformance with zoning."
Thomson: motion to endorse the plan of land submitted for 48-50 Hillcrest Avenue as one
not requiring approval under the Subdivision Control Law subject to the addition
of the deficiencies noted above to the plan prior to -'.ndorsement by the Planning
Board chairperson. Motion seconded by Flannery, all members in favor. Motion
carries.
4. Moore Circle Subdivision: request for extension of construction completion date /
Paul & Sheila Moore
Cassidy explains that the Moores are requesting an extension of the construction completion date
Planning Board Minutes
August 18, 1998 meeting
page six
established for this subdivision on the Danvers tom line. The completion date is set to expire
on November 19, 1998, and the Moores are requesting an extension to November 19, 2000. The
request is being made at this time because the Moores have found a buyer for the entire
subdivision and the new developer will need at least two years to finish the project.
Thomson: motion to extend the construction completion date for the Moore Circle
subdivision from November 19, 1998 to November 19, 2000. Motion seconded
by Flannery, all members in favor. Motion carries.
5. New or Other Business
Dinkin asks if there is any old or new business to discuss. Cassidy reminds members that a
special Board meeting has been scheduled for September 8, 1998 to further consider the Loeb
Estate development.
Thomas: motion to adjourn, seconded by Sullivan. All members in favor, motion carries.