by Frank Schroth

The Planning Board met last Thursday night and approved the following: a) a bid by the Sullivan family to expand the Milton Hilton House. A new apartment building will be constructed on Eliot Street and the Henry House next door will also be converted to apartments b) an article for the spring town warrant to see what amount of money that town will allocate to a Housing Production Plan and c) another article for Town Meeting to see what amount of money that town will provide for the second and final phase of a Master Plan. And that’s not all.

In addition, the board heard from residents during Citizens Speak, most notably Marvin Gordon who urged the board to take urgent action on the development of a Housing Production Plan. Mr. Gordon, a past member of the Milton Board of Selectmen and a member of the board of Fuller Village, said that he wanted to see the Planing Board press the issue with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Gordon’s sense of urgency is prompted by a proposed 40B development across from Fuller Village. The proposal calls for 300 high end apartment units. Town’s that have a housing production plan in place can prevent unwanted 40B developments assuming they address the criteria defined in the plan. The Planning Board had initiated a discussion on an article for annual Town Meeting at their previous session. Mr. Gordon said “Timing is of the essence” and did not think the issue should wait. He asked that consideration be given to a special Town Meeting in advance of annual Town Meeting which takes place in May. Town Meeting would need to approve any monies required to fund the development of a Housing Production Plan. The board resumed the discussion of this later in their meeting. Deborah Felton, executive director of Fuller Village, also spoke in support of a plan being developed as it would demonstrate that Milton is making a “good faith effort” to address the needs of affordable housing.

Prior to Citizens Speak the board discussed signing the decision regarding denial of a special permit to proposed development on Hillside street. Members Kelly and Lynch voted against the permit. At issue is approval of the minutes of the session at which the vote was taken. Member Duffy who chaired the session because Member Alex Whiteside had recused himself from the matter, stood by his version of the minutes which it appears state that there was a failure to observe proper board protocol. During the session Member Lynch had asked to see a show of hands from people in attendance at the time. The vast majority of those present opposed the development. Lynch cited their show of hands as supporting his decision to vote No on the permit. When asked by Whiteside if he stood by his version of the minutes, he said he did. Specifically how Mr. Duffy’s and Mr. Lynch’s versions differ is unclear as the respective versions were not made public. Member Innes sought to mediate by drafting language that the two parties might find acceptable; but they didn’t. The discrepancy cannot be resolved by viewing a tape of the session as the audio track cuts out during portions of the session and is inconclusive. One item that was confirmed is that the decision will in Duffy’s words “be adjudicated.” Town Planner Bill Clark confirmed this and that any minutes along with the text of the decision will be part of materials reviewed. Clark said that town counsel wanted to meet with Kelly and Lynch regarding decision. Whiteside closed the discussion saying “I think we will postpone.” They will resume after meeting with town counsel.

The board met with Ned Corcoran, attorney for the Sullivan family, regarding with Sulllivan’s proposed development of a new apartment building at 36-50 Eliot Street. There was some discussion about bricks. Whiteside asked, “What kind of bricks are you going to us?” Mr. Corcoran had not brought any bricks and noted that he thought that “beyond what is reasonably necessary” to close the hearing and take a vote. After some additional discussion the board voted to close the hearing and approve the request. Mr. Corcoran thanked the board and the Sullivan family who he said, “did it right. . . and responded at every turn” to requests from the neighbors. In response to a concern regarding parking from Ms. Felton, Corcoran said that there were 99 parking spots on site for 66 proposed units. It was also noted that stretch codes ensuring energy efficiency will also be in effect for this development.

The board also discussed the following:

• They received an update regarding the Master Plan. The firm retained to develop the visioning statement has also been asked to look at the Housing Production Plan. Whiteside noted that the board would take the suggestion of Mr. Gordon (i.e. looking at possibility of looking at a special town meeting) seriously, though when he asked the board what they thought of that suggestion, he did not receive any direct responses. There was some consensus that they would be in a better position to determine that on their meeting on 1/10. Mr. Kelly expressed concern that an article requesting funding for the second phase of the Master Plan might be premature. He wanted to review  the results of phase 1 before moving on with phase 2. In the end the board unanimously voted for two articles: one to see what sums town meeting would appropriate in support of a Housing Production Plan and  another to see what sum would be appropriated for completing the Master Plan. The articles can be pulled if the board determines that they do not see a reason to proceed with either or both.
• The board resumed discussion of the article to allow an assisted living facility be built at the Horseplay site on Randolph Avenue. Ned Corcoran, who is representing the developer, the Gralia Group, has been working on the language of the article with Chair Whiteside. Whiteside said many but not all of the concerns voiced by Ms. DeNooyer, a local architect, in an email had been addressed However, he did not specifically identify which they were. A key issue with the initial article was the lack of affordable units. Corcoran said that 5% of units would be set aside. This might be expanded. Ms. Felton and another resident Emmet Schmarsow who is with the Executive Office of Elder Affairs spoke on the issue. Mr. Schmarsow, citing the high level of specificity in the article, said, “This is not a plan. It’s an accommodation.” Ms. Felton raised the issue of the qualifications of the operator. Felton said the operator should be a well regarded one who provides high quality service the town can be proud of and feel confident referring people to. Regarding that Mr. Whiteside said, “I was very impressed. He had visited a facility Gralia operated in Stoughton. The board voted unanimously to send the article as revised to the Board of Selectmen for inclusion in the town warrant.
• The Government Review committee is recommending that the Planning Board add an alternate member who would be able to vote on permits should a member need to recuse themselves. Special permits require 4 votes. With only 5 members the board can be hamstrung if a member needs to recuse themselves. The restricts to 4 members. Should one be absent for 2 sessions of a hearing they cannot vote. The board did not seem excited about the prospect. The committee is recommending that the alternate member be appointed. Whiteside said he felt that the member should be elected. Mr. Kelly asked why, if they had gone some many years without an alternate, did they need one now? e went on to ask what the motivation was behind this. Lynch noted that the board haven’t had so many special permits in years past. They will take up the issue again on 1/10. Whiteside closed saying, “I am not wildly enthusiastic.”