Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Monday, June 3, 2024 6:30 p.m. City Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA Remote Participation Optional via Zoom Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For a recording of the meeting, visit www.ltc.org Members Present Chairman Linnehan Vice Chair Frechette Member Lockhart Member Cheng Member Tenczar Members Absent Member Dolan-Wilson 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 4/18/2024 meeting minutes G. Frechette motioned, and C. Cheng seconded the motion to approve the meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). 5/6/2024 meeting minutes G. Frechette motioned, and C. Cheng seconded the motion to approve the meeting minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). II. Continued Business Site Plan Review and Special Permit: 63 Chambers Street, 01852 Lexx Estates, LLC has applied to the Lowell Planning Board seeking to demolish the existing structures at 63 Chambers Street and construct two, three-unit residential buildings on the site. The subject property is located in the Traditional Multi-Family (TMF) zoning district. The proposal requires Site Plan Review approval from the Lowell Planning Board per Section 11.4 for a development with greater than three (3) residential units, and Special Permit approval from the Lowell Planning Board per Article 12.1 for the use. On Behalf: Catherine Flood, Applicant’s Representative C. Flood said the applicant is requesting a continuance. C. Flood said they received comments from the Fire Department and they need time to address the comments. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: T. Linnehan said the Fire Department is requesting a swept path analysis. T. Linnehan said he has no objections to a continuance. Motion: G. Frechette motioned, and D. Tenczar seconded the motion to continue the petition to the June 17th meeting. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). III. New Business Tree Hearing: 834 Stevens Street, 01851 The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons about the proposed removal of five (5) total trees, one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 15”, one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 18”, one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 24”, one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 15”, and one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 18” at 834 Stevens Street that are damaging the sidewalk. On Behalf: Paul St. Cyr, Applicant P. St. Cyr said the tree removal is being done so the sidewalks can be made ADA compliant. P. St. Cyr said they cannot repair the sidewalk without removing the trees. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: C. Cheng asked for the plans after trees are removed and whether landscaping will be added. P. St. Cyr said whenever possible they will add tree boxes, if not feasible they will replant trees in the nearest feasible location. C. Cheng asked about the replanting requirements for removed trees. P. St. Cyr said they are trying to address the urban heat island effect in the City and focusing on planting trees in the right places. G. Frechette said this specific memo does not reference any replanting, but he is glad replanting will be done. G. Frechette suggested conditioning approval on tree plantings. P. St. Cyr agreed. C. Cheng asked if they are aware of any nearby locations that are ideal for tree planting. P. St. Cyr said there are some locations toward Chelmsford Street. D. Tenczar said in the future he would like to see an actual plan outlining the replanting including a number of trees so it can be verified that the replanting is done. P. St. Cyr agreed. G. Frechette said in his experience most of the time the exact plantings are not known and it may be tough to provide this at this stage of the process. P. St. Cyr said they look to add trees int he same area. P. St. Cyr cited the Master Forestry Plan which outlines locations for trees. D. Tenczar said his concern is the trees could be spread across the City, and they wouldn’t know. G. Frechette said he agrees, but does not believe DPW can give an exact location at the time of application. D. Tenczar said moving forward he would like to see a replanting plan. G. Frechette noted tree plantings were dependent on utility conflicts. D. Tenczar said he would still like to see a plan. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned to approve the petition with the following condition: 1. DPW shall submit a letter detailing the location of the replanted trees. C. Cheng seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). Tree Hearing: 22 Orchard Street, 01854 The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons about the proposed removal of two (2) total trees, one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 12”, and one (1) Maple Tree with a DBH approximately 18” at 22 Orchard Street that are damaging the existing sidewalk. On Behalf: Paul St. Cyr, Applicant P. St. Cyr said the trees are being removed so the sidewalks can be made ADA compliant. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: T. Linnehan asked if sidewalks across the street are being done as well. P. St. Cyr confirmed. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned, and R. Lockhart seconded the motion to approve the petition. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). Tree Hearing: 56 Gardner Avenue, 01854 The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons about the proposed removal of one (1) Locust Tree with a DBH approximately 12” at 56 Gardner Avenue that is damaging the existing sidewalk. On Behalf: Paul St. Cyr, Applicant P. St. Cyr said the tree is being removed so the sidewalk can be made ADA compliant. P. St. Cyr said they are looking for nearby locations to replant trees. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: D. Tenczar asked for the location of the tree. P. St. Cyr said it was along the retaining wall. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned, and G. Frechette seconded the motion to approve the petition. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). Tree Hearing: 20 Bachelder Street, 01854 The Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons about the proposed removal of three (3) total trees, one (1) Locust Tree with a DBH approximately 30”, one (1) Oak Tree with a DBH approximately 12”, and one (1) Oak Tree with a DBH approximately 18” at 20 Bachelder Street for the construction of ADA compliant sidewalks. On Behalf: Paul St. Cyr, Applicant P. St. Cyr said the trees are being removed for a new ADA compliant sidewalk. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette expressed support for adding ADA compliant sidewalks at this location. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned, and C. Cheng seconded the motion to approve petition. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). Site Plan Review: 17 Kearney Square, 01852 Sun Building, LLC has applied to the Lowell Planning Board to construct an additional unit at the building located at 17 Kearney Square. The property is located in the Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) zoning district, and the Multi-Family Mid-Rise (MFOM) overlay district. The project requires Site Plan Review approval per Section 11.4.2 (2) for the expansion of a structure with more than three (3) dwelling units. D. Tenczar recused himself. On Behalf: Trudy Hale, Applicant’s Representative T. Hale said they requested a continuance because they initially believed they were exempt from Site Plan Review. T. Hale said they need additional time to get the additional required materials. Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: T. Linnehan said they need existing and proposed plans, in addition to elevations. C. Cheng asked whether they could get a tour of the site. T. Hale said members are welcome to visit the site, it is currently an open tunnel and they will be putting up walls to create a unit. T. Hale said the tunnel wouldn’t be completely closed off. R. Lockhart said the Historic Board would like to see elevations as well. T. Linnehan asked if the new plans would show clearly what is being done. T. Hale confirmed. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned, and R. Lockhart seconded the motion to continue the petition to the June 17th meeting. The motion passed unanimously, (4-0).  IV. Other Business V. Further Comments from Planning Board Members G. Frechette said tomorrow at the Lowell Senior Center there will be a regional housing strategy plan meeting hosted by NMCOG. G. Frechette said the goal is for the NMCOG region to come up with a regional housing plan. G. Frechette said it will be a public hearing and everyone is welcome to attend. G. Frechette said the plan needs to be regional not Lowell centric. R. Lockhart said the Historic Board had a successful Doors Open Lowell event. R. Lockhart said the next meeting is June 10th. D. Tenczar asked if the regional housing plan will require zoning changes in other communities. G. Frechette said in some cases it will, and just attitude changes in others. VI. Adjournment T. Linnehan motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The time was 7:13PM.