Ah summer. . . when the days are long and the planning board meetings feel even longer. Last Thursday the board heard from member Innes on the progress of forming a Master Plan visioning committee, a hearing on the Milton Hill House proposal, further discussion on the assisted living development being considered on Randolph Ave, and not one but two hearings on Hillside developments.
Ms. Innes reviewed the status of the committee being formed to develop a Master Plan visioning document. There are 19 residents that have expressed interest in being on the committee. There are 5 seats available. There was quite a bit of discussion on how they should be selected. Innes encouraged the members to review the letters / resumes that had come in and that they be viewed with an eye toward both geographic and experiential diversity. Member Kelly expressed his strong feeling that all precincts be represented. He stated that geography was “terribly important” and added that it “doesn’t take a rocket scientist’ to know what someone wants for their town. No one disagreed, However, Innes pointed out that the board should review what part of town other members come from in making their selections. The School Committee, Warrant Committee, and Board of Selectmen have all been invited to appoint someone. At their meeting earlier this week the Selectmen appointed Tom Hurley. The WC and SC appointees are not known at this time.
Given there are only 5 seats available one member from every precinct is not an option but the board agreed regional parity can be achieved. Of the responses received the majority came from precincts 8 (4) and 3 (3). Mr. Whiteside expressed some concerns about the process and the public input characterizing some of the survey responses as “off the wall.” Innes said one approach might be to view a concept (i.e. more playing fields) and have it deemed: a) Should happen here b) must happen here or c) never happen here. Whiteside didn’t want to see such decisions change the zoning. Innes reminded all this was a visioning exercise and the results were not binding. Regardless, Whiteside wanted to ensure that any report the consultant developed had the oversight of the planning board. “They (the consultanting firm) have to come in and ‘vision’ with the planning board.”
The board has also received 3 proposals to the RFP requesting bids from firms to guide and direct the process. Members of the board will evaluate the proposals according to shared criteria and then tally their respective “report cards.” The preferred vendor will then be invited in for an interview at the Planning Board Meeting scheduled for 7/26. In the event of a tie the top two will be asked in. The proposals came from:
- Vannasse Hanglin, Brustlin — Walnut Street, Watertown
- Brown Walker Planners — Newburyport, MA
- Community Opportunities Group Inc., Kingston Street, Boston
The Planning Board has created a web page for the Master Plan that includes
Here are links to survey results:
Other business included but was not limited to:
- Marion McEttrick, the attorney representing property owners of open space on Hillside Street requested a continuance of the hearing. They are negotiating with buyers and the outcome of the sale could change the application. McEttrick confirmed that she is in contact with Brombowski, an attorney representing one of the abutters. Whiteside suggested that McEttrick let him know the hearing would be continued to 8/8.
- There was also a hearing on 333 Hillside which the owner, Mr. Bosworth, has been seeking to develop for ~ 10 years. The case went to court. The land court issued a ruling in the owner’s favor and the owner appeared before the board to review the proposal for a subdivision along with Jim Decelle of Decelle Engineering. The board spent a lot of time discussing the street, driveway, dirt road, (it was confusing). It was clear that whatever is, “We don’t want a cul-de-sac, we want a T.” The developer agreed, “Whatever you want Mr. Chairman.” Several neighbors spoke expressing concerns that existing rights of way will be preserved and fire safety. Mr. Bob Sheffield who represented Mr. Martin Dean, an abutter, voiced his support for the plan. In the end the board did not appear to have any major objections. They want to see a version of the plan with coloring.
- Ned Corcoran, attorney for the Sullivan family, and Dan Garrity, architect, presented the latest treatment for a new apartment building the Sullivans want to build at 36-50 Eliot Street. The latest modifications address concerns expressed regarding the back of the building that faces on Eliot Street. The architects have redesigned an entrance way and stairs that provide a focal point that is consistent with overall design of the building (illustrations are not currently available). Corcoran noted that the change makes “for a nicer presence.’ The board seemed to like the design. Most of their comments focused on whether the balconies should be a half wall or railing. Former board member Pete Jackson spoke and voiced his support of the revised design. He also supported the concept of balconies. There had been concerns about balconies accumulating clutter. Corcoran said the Sullivans track record in policing that should remove any concerns and that there would be restrictions on what could be present on balconies in the lease agreements. The board will continue the hearing on 7/26. They expect that they will close it on that date.
- Lastly, the developers of a proposed assisted living facility to go in at the location of Horseplay Stables hit a bit of a snag with the board. Their current proposal calls for an entrance exit off Randolph Ave. They cited economics, time, and marketing value as reasons for it. None of these convinced the board which had serious concerns over congestion and safety. “To me it is a non-starter. . . you have a signalized intersection, why not use it?” asked Alex Whiteside. This development has a time sensitivity issue in that it requires a zoning change. The current deadline for closing warrant for October Town Meeting is early August. At the moment there are no articles pending for the fall session.