Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 5, 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 Cheng Member Tenczar Member Dolan-Wilson Members Absent None Others Present Francesca Cigliano, Senior Planner A quorum of the Board was present. Chairman Linnehan called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. I. Minutes for Approval 8/19/2024 G. Frechette motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). II. Continued Business III. New Business 197 Beacon Street 01850 – Proposed Public Shade Tree Removal Hearing In accordance with MGL Ch. 87.5 and Chapter 260 of the Lowell Code of Ordinances, the Lowell Planning Board will hold a public hearing to hear all interested persons relative to the removal of sixty-one (61) total trees at 197 Beacon Street. Three (3) proposed trees to be removed with a DBH greater than 24”, and the remaining fifty-eight (58) with a DBH of less than 24”. The trees and their roots are hazardous to the drinking water infrastructure and undermine water storage tanks. On Behalf: Steve Duschene, Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU) Jim Rivard, Whittard and Cumming Engineering Katherine Moses, Director of Sustainability, City of Lowell Speaking in Favor: James Harrington, 201 Christian Street J. Harrington asked where replacement trees would be planted. Wanted to make sure new trees will not impact where kids slide down the reservoir in the winter. Speaking in Opposition: Liza Morales, 77 Durant Street L. Morales said it is not clear which trees are to be removed. Most of the notices are in the trees and you can’t get to them. Concerned not enough people are aware. Several neighbors didn’t know because they didn’t see notices. Took one that is literally folded on a tree. Most people including myself walk our dogs up there. No notices there. Added additional ones yesterday. Regarding trees, if it’s dangerous, obviously that is understandable. There are no notices along the fence. The notice included the wrong day of the week. People don’t know this is happening. Dan Tringale, 65 Durant Street I walked the area. A lot of these trees are pretty good distance away from the facility. Lack of any information about why trees need to be removed. A lot of larger trees that are further distance and don’t seem to impact infrastructure. I’m a little baffled. A little more clarification would be helpful. Where is that water going to go without those trees. Discussion: J. Rivard said concern is trees are growing adjacent to two covered reservoirs. Concerned about integrity of storage tanks. Eventually roots will get into tank. Will be taking down trees that will affect integrity of water storage tanks. J. Rivard said replacement trees not sure where they will replace. Have not been determined yet. City has developed an urban forestry plan and we will plant wherever she deems necessary. G. Frechette said there is a cluster of trees next to memorial. Only one tree was marked. Now I’m concerned it wasn’t clear what trees were coming down. G. Frechette said not in a position to debate what trees are appropriate to remove. Concerned that trees were incorrectly market. F. Cigliano stated that the notices comply with the public notice requirement. C. Cheng said he feels like there needs to be a revision to be clearer about wh trees need to be removed and why. What trees and for what reason. Then we can assess as a board. I think it’s a little vague what trees are coming down and for what. I hear residents’ concerns because we don’t know which ones are being proposed to be removed and why. D. Tenczar said he is looking at a letter dated 8/2/2024 which states a conclusion- large trees and tree roots are hazardous to underground water storage tanks. They could, they might. Do we want anything to happen? Absolutely not. But I don’t see facts other than clearcutting trees with no plan. Biggest pet peeve is when trees are removed and a plan is not submitted that indicates where/when trees are going to be planted. No one comes with planting plan. I’m not voting for this until there’s facts that support. I’m troubled by this. I don’t want to see tree removals without a planting plan. A. Dolan-Wilson said they should double check to make sure the trees are marked correctly. T. Linnehan said the question is which trees are coming down. I understand reasoning. I think its important to understand which ones are coming down. Good to know if any are being replanted at this site. A. Dolan-Wilson asked if anything is imminent. J. Rivard said nothing is imminent. Can come back before the Board. Will go back and mark very clearly. G. Frechette asked if they could provide a planting plan for next meeting on October 7. J. Rivard said replacement trees will follow urban forestry plan. Plan is not to replant them on-site. Follow city’s plan to plant trees in other areas of the city that are more urbanized. D. Tenczar asked why can’t any trees be planted on-site. Guessing there’s no good reason. J. Rivard said plan is to follow urban forestry plan. We could plant them on the site. That would be very easy. The intent was to follow the plan that’s been developed by the city. Katherine Moses said the intent with replanting that as we are doing projects to protect our infrastructure. Take a broader view of what we want to do as a city. Analysis of existing tree cover, Environmental Justice communities, urban heat islands. Planting tens of thousands of trees from now to 2050. Improve tree equity across the city. Prioritized areas within master plan. There are places with vulnerable populations and urban heat island. As far as specific right tree right place specific locations - will take time to assess. Other things that are going on that could impact replanting. Tree ordinance allows for replanting within a year. We can work out those logistics and have more specific types of prioritized species based on current/future hazards. Leverage additional grant funding to refine that. Add broader context. D. Tenczar asked why can't they come up with a planting plan. K. Moses said tree pit design, planning efforts are aligned with other DPD and engineering efforts. You’re being strategic and doing so in a way that helps overall goals. Measure twice cut once. Looking at being more comprehensive in how we implement. Motion: D. Tenczar motioned and T. Linnehan seconded the motion to continue the petition to October 7, 2024. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). 4 Tamarack Street 01851 – Definitive Subdivision Approval John Cox has applied to the Planning Board on behalf of Martin Burke for the approval of a definitive subdivision plan that includes the extension of Tamarack Street by approximately one hundred forty (140), and construction of a single-family dwelling at 4 Tamarack Street. The site is located within the Traditional Neighborhood Single-Family (TSF) zoning district and requires Planning Board approval under Lowell’s Subdivision of Land Regulations. On Behalf: John Cox, Applicant’s Attorney Ian Ainslie, Applicant’s Engineer Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette noted that he would be recusing himself from the discussion and vote relative to this application. C. Cheng wanted to verify on staff comments regarding DEP. Latest is that DEP issued a superseding order approving the project and overriding ConCom. F. Cigliano confirmed that the project has been approved by MassDEP. C. Cheng asked if the rain garden would be an issue. I. Ainslie said underground vaults were removed entirely. Rain garden is not the issue, it was the vaults. C. Cheng asked about LFD approval. Turning radius. D. Tenczar said there were comments sent to DPD about sewer. A. Dolan-Wilson said no comment. T. Linnehan said he was glad to see sign off from LFD. LRWWU I know recommendations are back and forth. Happy to condition approval upon their final sign off. Need City Council to adopt. Put up bond for roadwork. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned to approve the Definitive Subdivision plan with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall obtain final approval from the LRWWU; 2. The applicant shall have the City Council accept the road as a public way when all work is completed; 3. The applicant shall establish a bond as required through the DPW Commissioner; and 4. The Board waives the curbing and sidewalk requirement. The motion was seconded by D. Tenczar and passed unanimously, (4-0) with G. Frechette recusing himself from the vote. 218, 224, 230 Middlesex Street & 16 Pearl Street 01852 – Site Plan Review N.E. Heritage Properties Inc. is seeking approval to construct a 37-unit apartment building on the currently vacant lots at 218, 224, and 230 Middlesex Street and 16 Pearl Street. The property is located in the Downtown Mixed-Use (DMU) zoning district as well as the Multi-Family Overlay Mid Rise (MFOM) zoning overlay district. The project requires Site Plan Review under Section 11.4.2(2) for construction of a structure with more than three (3) dwelling units. On Behalf: Catherine Flood, Applicant’s Attorney Jeff Bush, the Applicant Brian Geaudreau, Applicant’s Engineer Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette asked if they had been working with Steve Stowell the Historic Board Administrator. Think this design is really good. Fits into existing structures. Going to clean up a spot that is in desperate need of new development. Tax dollars will also be a benefit. In favor of everything that’s been presented. Transportation management report - suggested to add a few elements to that. Have someone on site to inform residents about transit options? J. Bush said his operation is based in Lowell. Will have someone dedicated to this site and available for resident move ins, relation issues. Someone from staff available 24/7. Have someone as a transit point of contact. G. Frechette said he is in favor. This is what the overlay district was meant to promote based on the distance to the Gallagher terminal. T. Linnehan said S. Stowell is very excited about the plan. Looking for favorable results. C. Cheng thanked for the TDM plan. D. Tenczar thanked the proponent for coming and investing in Lowell. There is a lot of parking in the area. Appreciate the investment. It will help clean up that area. Appreciate investment in that area. A. Dolan-Wilson echoed her colleagues. Trash in back-how will it be enclosed? J. Bush explained enclosure. Motion: G. Frechette motioned to approve with the following conditions  1. The applicant shall continue to work with the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU) and finalize the stormwater drainage design on the site; 2. The applicant shall submit a revised site plan showing extent of milling and paving; all utility cuts shall be milled and paved in one continuous patch; 3. The applicant shall incorporate a welcome packet for new residents in the Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan to include Merrimack Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) route and schedule information and information on how to obtain garage pass with downtown residents’ discount at the Early Garage; 4. The applicant shall submit revised plans showing dedicated bike storage space; 5. The applicant shall submit a revised site plan showing reset curbing and construction of new concrete sidewalks along the length of Pearl Street; and 6. The applicant shall remove snow from the site as necessary. Seconded by D. Tenczar (5-0). IV. Other Business 2025 Meeting Schedule G. Frechette motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to approve the schedule. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). V. Further Comments from Planning Board Members VI. Adjournment D. Tenczar motioned and C. Cheng seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously (5-0). The time was 8:20PM.