Loading...
08.18.2020 BPB MinutesCITY OF BEVERLY PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES Board: Planning Board Meeting Date: August 18, 2020 Location: Google Meet virtual meeting Members Present Chair Ellen Hutchinson,Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse Members Absent: Allison Kilcoyne Others Present: Planning Director Darlene Wynne Recorder: Jodi Byrne Call to Order Chair Ellen Hutchinson calls the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and reads a prepared statement introducing the meeting, the authority to hold a remote meeting, public access and public participation, and meeting ground rules. She takes roll call attendance. Members, when I call your name, please respond in the affirmative. Names of members. Sarah Bartley Allison Kilcoyne (absent) Derek Beckwith Wayne Miller Alexander Craft Ellen Hutchinson Ellen Flannery Andrea Toulouse The Chair then read the script describing the reasons, permissions, and ground rules for holding a remote public meeting. 1. Subdivision Approval Not Required Plans a.20 Sylvan Road / 25 Pine Road David Alberts / Francis DeVeillis & Heather McNulty Attorney Bill Heney provides a brief review of this project on behalf of his client, stating that it is a straightforward ANR plan. Attny. Heney says that Francis DeVeillis is giving up a portion of impact to the frontage and brings the lot more in compliance with the zoning requirements of this distr Hutchinson confirms with Attny. Heney that there is no change in the setback or frontage. There are no further questions from the Board. Flannery: Motion to endorse the SANR at 20 Sylvan Road. Bartley seconds the motion. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). Flannery: Motion to recess for Public Hearing. Beckwith seconds the motion. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). 2. Public Hearing: Definitive Subdivision Plan Livingston Avenue (Map 9 Lots 370, 371, and 372) Extending Livingston Avenue by approximately 280 feet and creating 2 new buildable lots and 1 unbuildable lot 7 Porter Terrace LLC. Planning Director Darlene Wynne reads the public notice. Bob Griffin presents on behalf of his client. Griffin provides a detailed review of the project, which creates two 10,000 sq. ft. lots. He shows an image of the proposed lot lines and says that this project proposes to extend the road access from 21 Porter Terrace and then add a 24 x 24 easement for vehicle turnaround. Griffin states that the plans are compliant with R10 zoning requirements. Griffin reviews the plans for water, sewer, and gas lines, and then shows the site images with the two building areas and the proposed turnaround. He says that Lot 2 will have the house pushed back in order to provide ample room in front of the garage and will not interfere with the turnaround. Griffin then shows the stormwater drainage plan, stating that there will be no tie in to the City draining system. He says that the plan will utilize lot runoff from the roof that will direct water to an infiltration structure of catch basins infiltrating the water into the ground. Griffin states that this stormwater plan was shared with the City and that he did receive supportive feedback. He states that this plan will not bring any increase of run-off to the area and will meet the requirements for the 100-year storm. Griffin reports that the Parking and Traffic Commission also reviewed this project, requesting that he extend sidewalks to the driveway of Lot 2. In addition, Parking and Traffic requested 10 ft. of grade change, 6% slope, with a high point for the water infiltration system. Griffin then Miller asks if there is a plan for street lights. Griffin says that while there are none, power poles will be installed that could host lighting. It is confirmed that both houses have south facing backyards and that there are no trees shading this area. Flannery asks what type of HOA will be in place for these two homes. Griffin says that the two homes will split the cost of road maintenance and upkeep. He also says that both houses will have residential sprinkler systems as discussed with the Fire Department. Griffin confirms that there will be a stop sign at the end of Livingston Avenue. Hutchinson asks how the infiltration systems will be maintained. Griffin answers that the catch basins are the most important, and that both will have an isolator row feature separating any dirt that gets into the system and allowing it to be jetted out with high pressure water equipment. Hutchinson confirms with Griffin that the two homeowners would be responsible for this maintenance, and asks if this will be costly. Griffin says that the stormwater plan will require regular inspections and that he does not think it will be costly. He also says that the homeowners will need to provide street sweeping. It is confirmed by Wynne that this proposal does not meet the threshold for minor subdivisions. Ϯ  Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  says that it is planned to be an easement and not a separate parcel. Griffin states that if this easement were a separate parcel, the corner of the garage would not meet the R10 setback requirements. Griffin then addresses the request to eliminate the tail on Lot 2; he notes that this is possible. Hutchinson addresses concerns that the easement be kept free from parking to ensure Fire Department access. Griffin suggests the addition of no parking signs. Hutchinson states that the road must be kept clear and maintained. Flannery asks about the snow removal plan. Griffin says there will be room on both sides of the street and sidewalk for normal snow removal. He also notes that there will be a graded depression area where snow can be pushed from the street. Flannery says that she hopes the neighbors join the same HOA for snow removal. Craft requests that the individual infiltration area for roof runoff is included in the HOA. Griffin agrees and also states that he will incorporate all of the new updates from the City Engineer except the recommendation that the turnaround be a separate parcel, noting the previously mentioned need to keep R10 zoning requirements. Griffin says that the project is planning to use hammering instead of blasting to remove any ledge, but that nothing is definite until construction begins. He states that he does not expect to encounter ledge, and that the only deeper digging will be the area running utility pipes. Hutchinson requests more information on the current flows of water on Livingston Avenue and the two lots. Griffin says that he added the landscape wall along the west and south boundaries so that all of the backyard water would be directed away from neighbors and into the infiltration system. He says that no water should be pushed onto neighboring properties, and that this plan should produce a reduction of runoff due to the two large infiltration systems. Griffin states that the infiltration will send water into the ground instead of onto Livingston Avenue. Craft asks if the proposed landscape wall is part of the stormwater management plan. Griffin says that while the whole plan includes the landscape in its calculations, they are not specifically relying on the wall. Griffin says that the easement will not pose any negative effect on other properties. Wynne reads and summarizes the letters on file. Hutchinson says that members from the public may raise their hand or send a chat message to be identified as speakers. Speakers from the Public: 1.Colleen Ahearn and Brendan Wynne - 17 Porter Terrace Ahearn reports that the ledge hammering on the new lot for 21 Porter Terrace has been continuous for the past two weeks. She asks Griffin if it is financially sound for this new project to jackhammer rather than blast, and she requests information of when this will be decided. ϯ  Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  Griffin says he does not know the threshold right now, and that they can also consider hydraulic splitting. He states that test pits should help determine, and that he will provide more information at the next meeting. Brendan Wynne shares his concern that the runoff from the new properties will flow into their backyard and asks that the landscape wall be made a part of the HOA so that it is not removed. 2.Dennis and Susan Lynch - 7 Porter Terrace Dennis Lynch asks about the easement changes and original proposal for drainage by the City Engineer. He also asks if the drainage plan should be subject to a civil engineering peer review to determine if this build will affect his property. Griffin answers that the dog leg is to provide additional area for Lot 2 and to accommodate the size of the turnaround easement on Lot 2. reviewed by City engineers. Griffin says that the ledge removal should not affect other properties, but if any damage occurs it will be repaired. Darlene Wynne reports that the primary reason the peer review occurred during the prior review was because there was no City Engineer at that time. 3.Bradley Pommerleau - 36 Ashton Street Pommerleau says that the proposed plan shows a street light that would be within five ft. of his yard and would shine into his house, and he requests that it be placed in a less intrusive spot. He also notes a discrepancy on the blueprints in the amount of additional sq. ft. for Livingston Terrace. Pommerleau shares concerns with a stagnant water issue and the 2 ft. wide curb cut planned on Livingston that could cause water to pour into his yard. Griffin says that the planned system is above the ground water area directing water to infiltrate into the ground. Pommerleau confirms with Griffin that the two homes will not have basements or underground utility wires. Pommerleau notes his concern of the cutting of natural woods and animal habitats in the affected area. Lastly, Pommerleau verifies that this project has been approved by the Fire Department. Griffin responds that the overhead lines are planned to lessen the need for hammering of ledge. He also says that the Planning Board did receive an email stating that the Fire Department Mass Highway standards, Griffin says that the materials of construction specifications have not changed since 1995 except for the use of the metric system. Griffin agrees to include erosion controls in the plan for post construction. Griffin says that his client would be willing to meet with neighbors regarding hammering or blasting plans. Hutchinson states that there are ordinances that limit construction work to not occur on Sundays. 4.Katie Perron 32 Ashton Street. Perron confirms that the new houses will have either cement slabs or crawl spaces. She asks where the water runoff will be directed and if the boulder wall could run the entire length of the buffer zone. She thanks Griffin for the added sidewalk plan and requests that utility lines be underground so that other homes could tie into them. She also requests that they relook at the ϰ  Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  access considering a one-way street with no turnaround. She suggests that this plan creates 10 new houses on the street, and asks about some of the verbiage in the document. Griffin responds that he will tighten up any unclear language in the proposal. He also reports that there will be a silt fence in place during construction. He says that the boulder wall is in place to hold a small grading change and that he is happy to run it to the buffer lines. Griffin states that this project is a 2 house project and not a 10 house project, and notes that the City could add one parcel in the future. Regarding any other tie-in to utilities, Griffin says that this would be for a bigger project and that this is not the right course of action for this small project. He reports that the 2 ft. curb cutout is not intended for every storm, only for large storms when the water is not able to go to the catch basin. Lastly, Griffin says that a one-way road is not desirable to the neighborhood. 5.Damen Nisula - 5 Porter Terrace Nisula states concern with snow removal and the long-term maintenance of the infiltration system. Griffin says that the HOA is designed to handle both of these issues. 6.Debbie McLaughlin - 15 Porter Terrace McLaughlin shares her concerns with how the HOA will be maintained. She asks for a description of the plastic containment systems and how they will help to prevent roof runoff into her yard. Griffin says that the plastic containers are open like a shell, ¼ inch thick and designed to have vehicles run over them. Griffin states that the containment system is planned to prevent any runoff. McLaughlin asks the location of the easement turnaround to the wet line of the stream, and Griffin reports that it is located 100 ft. from the stream. It is also noted that the 7.Chris McAlpine - 17 Upland Road McAlpine says that she shares the same concerns other neighbors have addressed. She reports that past construction projects did not keep their promises to neighbors, and problems have occurred such as rodents, parking, and water issues. 8.Sue Addison - 4 Porter Terrace Addison asks if the utilities coming off of Porter Street will affect current gas and water pressure, and if the entire street will be upgraded. Griffin says that adding two houses should not have any effect on this, but that he will check with the City engineer. Hutchinson asks how customary it is that these types of easements are permitted for water lines, sewer lines, and drains. Darlene Wynne answers that the City does see them and permits them. Hutchinson suggests that this Public Hearing be continued until the next meeting of the Planning Board. She says that until then, Griffin and the applicant can provide requested documents to the City Engineer as well as follow up to the questions asked during this meeting. Derek Beckwith requests more information on the landscape wall regarding its depth, width, and purpose. Flannery: Motion to continue this Public Hearing until the next meeting of the Planning Board scheduled for September 15, 2020. Beckwith seconds. ϱ  Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). 3. Discussion: PlanBeverly Master Plan Re-introductory discussion on the purpose, process, and goals of the Comprehensive Master Plan. Darlene Wynne reports that Associate Planner Emily Hutchings and other steering committee members are on the call to support the presentation and answer any questions. Wynne states that present progress. She projects a slide presentation that depicts the history of the Master Plan and its purpose. She says that the current plan is nearing 20 years old, and that it is time to identify a new vision. Wynne reports that the Master Plan process has included a steering committee which includes three members from the Planning Board: Sarah Bartley, Wayne Miller, and Andrea Toulouse. Wynne reviews the timeline that existed before March and the revisions made after that time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wynne says that staff is now making a commitment to return to the plan and keep it fresh, and as an administrative goal to close out this process that began one year ago. Wynne reports that there was productive public outreach both in-person and through online surveys. She says that one of the prevalent issues that resulted in the public input was in the area of affordable housing. Wynne states that this is a goal for the City and has become even more relevant due to the pandemic. She notes the work of the CPC on this issue. Wynne shows a slide revealing that property taxes make up a large majority of the City budget, noting that growth is necessary in order to keep housing affordable, support fiscal sustainability, and ensure success of the local economy. Next, Wynne reviews the vision and strategies of the Master Plan. She reports that the next steps include: 1.Sending edits to the consulting team to incorporate from the last round review and incorporate into the final review draft. 2.Holding a public review period concurrent with the BPB and the City Council review. 3.BPB and City Council meetings to review the final plan. 4.BPB to vote to adopt the plan, and then City Council to vote for acceptance. Wynne says that the BPB can discuss the details of the plan at their next meeting in September 2020, and then plan to vote on the Master Plan during an October 2020 meeting. At that time, the plan would go to the City Council for their approval. Wynne describes possible venues in which the public could review. Some of these ideas include virtual viewing, small office hours, and the use of BevCam for video presentations. ϲ  Beverly Planning Board Meeting Minutes August 18, 2020  Derek Beckwith asks about the draft currently stored in the Plan Beverly online folder. City Planner Wynne states that this is just an outline draft as the narrative is still in the editing process. She recaps that this presentation to the BPB was to refamiliarize, and that the next meeting is for the details. 4. Approval of Minutes: 10/22/2019, 5/27/2020, 6/9/2020 The minutes for 10/22/2019 were discussed and amended as needed. Flannery: Motion to approve the 10/22/2019 minutes. Miller seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). The minutes for 5/27/2020 were discussed and amended as needed. Flannery: Motion to approve the 5/27/2020 minutes. Beckwith seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). The minutes for 6/9/2020 were discussed. Beckwith: Motion to approve the 6/9/2020 minutes. Bartley seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). 5. Other business not known at the time of the posting of this agenda Wynne reviews items for the next meeting of the BPB including a timing modification to the police station, the Livingston Avenue subdivision, and the Master Plan review. She announces that Emily Hutchings is the new Assistant Planning Director and that they are close to hiring a new Associate Planner. Flannery: Motion to adjourn the meeting. Vice Chair Alexander Craft seconds. There is a roll call vote with each member voting yes: Sarah Bartley, Derek Beckwith, Vice Chair Alexander Craft, Ellen Flannery, Wayne Miller, Andrea Toulouse, and Chair Ellen Hutchinson. The motion passes (7-0). ϳ