Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Monday, November 6, 2023 6:30 p.m. In Person at City Council Remote 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 Sinead Gallivan, Member Members Absent Richard Lockhart, Member Caleb Cheng, Member Allison Dolan-Wilson, Associate Member Others Present Dylan Ricker, Associate Planner A quorum of the Board was present. Chairman Linnehan called the meeting to order at 6:30 pm I. Minutes for Approval 10/16/2023 Meeting Minutes G. Frechette motioned, and S. Gallivan seconded the motion to approve the October 16, 2023 meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (3-0). II. Continued Business III. New Business Site Plan Review – 22 Bowers Street, 01854 The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons relative to an application by Lowell-Jaycee Place Limited Partnership to construct a solar canopy covering an existing parking area at 22 Bowers Street. The property is located in the Urban Neighborhood Multi- Family (UMF) zoning district and requires Site Plan Review approval under Section 11.4. On Behalf: Samiksha Poudel, Applicant’s Engineer S. Poudel said they are adding solar canopies to the existing parking lot per the site plan. S. Poudel said parking is not being reduced. Scott Coggins, Applicant’s Representative Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette noted staff comments regarding snow removal, and asked about the applicant’s plans for snow removal that may fall from the panels. S. Poudel said light snowfall will melt off the panels, larger snowfalls will fall off. G. Frechette asked if snow would be removed at a certain depth. S. Poudel said they can install snow guards to prevent snow from falling off and then the panels can be cleaned. G. Frechette said the traffic circulation and parking remains the same, S. Poudel confirmed. G. Frechette asked if the lights would impact neighboring properties. S. Poudel said it would not impact abutting properties. G. Frechette asked about the height of the solar canopy. S. Poudel said it would be below the 16- foot maximum height requirement. G. Frechette asked if the proposal adds to the runoff of the site. S. Poudel said they coordinated with the stormwater team, and they did not have concerns. S. Poudel said the grading of the site is not changing. T. Linnehan asked how the energy from the solar panels will be used. S. Coggins said it will offset about half of the electric load of the property, and will allow them to expand the scope of renovations they can do on the property. Motion: G. Frechette motioned to approve the Site Plan Review application with the following condition: 1. The applicant shall comply with Section 4.1 of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance relative to the height and setbacks for accessory structures. S. Gallivan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, (3-0). IV. Notices  V. Other Business Community Preservation Committee Appointment The Planning Board will appoint a member of the Board to the Community Preservation Committee; the appointment will last for 3 years. G. Frechette motioned, and T. Linnehan seconded the motion to nominate S. Gallivan as the Planning Board representative to the Community Preservation Committee. The motion passed unanimously, (3-0). VI. Further Comments from Planning Board Members G. Frechette said that NMCOG will be moving their offices to the Wannalancit Mills. VII. Adjournment G. Frechette motioned and S. Gallivan seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously, (3-0). The time was 6:47PM.