Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Monday October 19, 2020 6:30 p.m. Conducted via Zoom Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For a recording of the meeting, visit www.ltc.org Members Present Thomas Linnehan, Chairman Gerard Frechette, Vice Chairman Richard Lockhart, Member Caleb Cheng, Member Sinead Gallivan, Associate Member Robert Malavich, Member Members Absent Russell Pandres, Associate Member Others Present Fran Cigliano, Associate Planner A quorum of the Board was present. Chairman Linnehan called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. I. Minutes for Approval October 5, 2020 R. Lockhart motioned and G. Frechette seconded the motion to approve the minutes from the October 5, 2020 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). II. Continued Business III. New Business Public Shade Tree Hearing – 50 E Merrimack Street 01852 In accordance with MGL Ch. 87.5, the Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons about the proposed removal of one (1) public shade tree at 50 E Merrimack Street. The removal of this tree is needed to construct the Riverwalk Phase II Project. On Behalf: Christine Clancy, DPW Commissioner Yovani Baez-Rose, Design Planner C. Clancy: Riverwalk project. Came before board previously, now looking to remove an additional tree. As the contractor was setting up, we determined that the crane swing is in conflict with this tree. Tried to move crane and unfortunately cannot save tree to locate the crane to do necessary work. 20 inch Norway maple. Plan to replace at 1:1 ratio. Y. Baez-Rose: Tried different options. Look into whether barge in river was option. Limited, tight space. Contractor would replace tree and would go in exactly where the one is were taking out currently. Speaking in Favor:  None Speaking in Opposition: None Motion: G. Frechette motioned and R. Lockhart seconded the motion to authorize the tree removal per MGL Ch. 87.5. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). IV. Other Business Annual Election of Officers The Lowell Planning Board will elect officers for the 2021 Board Year. Positions to be elected include Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Representative to the Historic Board, and Representative to NMCOG. G. Frechette motioned and R. Lockhart seconded the motion to nominate T. Linnehan as the Chairperson of Planning Board for 2021. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). T. Linnehan motioned and R. Malavich seconded the motion to appoint G. Frechette as the Vice Chairperson of the Planning Board for 2021. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). T. Linnehan motioned and G. Frechette seconded the motion to appoint R. Lockhart as second Vice Chairperson for 2021. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). T. Linnehan motioned and R. Lockhart seconded the motion to appoint G. Frechette as the NMCOG representative for 2021. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). R. Malavich motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to appoint R. Lockhart as the Historic Board representative for 2021. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). V. Notices VI. Further Comments from Planning Board Members G. Frechette said that they had grand opening for the new Market Basket on the boulevard. Really impressed with the site. Did a great job on the site plan. They came with intention of doing the right thing, but the site is a culmination of the Planning Board and applicant working together. Asset to that section of the city. There will be a Marshall’s next store. Traffic circle will be critical for the future development of the area. Hope that comes to fruition. T. Linnehan said that it is state of the art inside the building. Needed in the pandemic. Great with students and people who are retired. They’ve been a good employer. R. Lockhart said that it was really very impressive. Employed over 300 people. The Historic Board has been very quiet. They have a meeting on November 9. S. Gallivan asked if there were any updates regarding the significant tree memo. F. Cigliano said that they were waiting to confirm their proposed changes with administration. Staff has drafted changes. VII. Adjournment R. Lockhart motioned and T. Linnehan seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). The time was 6:44 PM.