Design Review Committee

By City Clerk at 9:41 am, Sep 08, 2022 DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2021 1. Call to Order at 6:10 pm 2. Roll Call – Members present: Matt Sherrill, Rachel Harris. Staff - Nipun Jain. 3. Minutes from 12-07-2021. Matt made a motion to accept the minutes from Dec 7, 2021. Rachel seconded. Approved unanimously. 4. Public Comment – none 5. Communications a. Staff Liaison – Nipun Jain, Director of Planning reported that he will be the staff liaison for DRC going forward. 6. New Applications - None 7. Continued Applications a. 39-41 Hillside Avenue: The applicant revised package was discussed. The following issues were identified: 1. Proposed building– The project seeks to utilize the 5 feet front yard setback in order to maxim- ize the buildable area. Given the minimum requirements for landscaping and parking setbacks, the building size may need to be reduced or altered to meet all those requirements. Alternatively, the proponent could consider two or three smaller buildings. Could the larger building be mixed use and the other two smaller buildings multi-family? Possibly eliminate the park- ing under the largest building, and then it will have essentially the same amount of commercial space as it does in the proposed design. Consider 2 apartments above the first floor in that largest building, 2-3 apartments in the medium size building and 2 apartments in the smallest building. This would still result in 6-7 apartments. DRC Minutes 12-21-2021 - Approved  2. Landscaping and Buffers – Section XI.C of the zoning bylaw requires vegetative buffers in addition to other landscape requirements. A 10 - 20 feet wide vegetative buffer is re- quired between residential and non-residential properties along the proper- ty line. Currently, the plan does not meet this requirement towards the rear of the property. It may be modified provided the Planning Board approves an alternative vegetative screen. The Applicant should consider relocating parking spaces or reducing the number of parking spaces. Only 22 spaces are required but 31 spaces are provided. How will proposed improvements affect the existing trees along property lines? Will they be damaged during construction? How will the open space be used? It is too close to a busy in- tersection. Will it be screened from traffic and resulting noise, lack of pri- vacy and safety? 3. Parking and Driveways – In general, off-street parking and driveways should meet the requirements of Section VIII. In a few locations on the proposed site plan, parking and driveways do not meet the minimum 5 feet setback from property lines. Handicap parking space closest to the entrance driveway may not work. 8. Other Business a. None 9. Adjourn. Matt moved to adjourn @ 7:45pm. Rachel seconded. Approved unani- mously. DRC Minutes 12-21-2021 - Approved