Planning Board

City of Lowell - Planning Board Planning Board Meeting Minutes Thursday, January 23, 2025 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 Tenczar Member Walker Member Cardoso Silva Member Sar Members Absent Member Cheng Others Present Francesca Cigliano, Senior Planner A quorum of the Board was present. Chairman Linnehan called the meeting to order at 6:30. Chairman Linnehan introduced new Planning Board member, Lucia Walker. I. Minutes for Approval 1/6/2025 G. Frechette motioned and T. Sar seconded the motion to approve the minutes. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). II. Continued Business 357 Pawtucket Street, 01854 – Site Plan Review and Special Permit Franco American Holdings, LLC has applied to the Lowell Planning Board to construct an 80-unit mixed- use building at 357 Pawtucket Street. The subject property is located in the Traditional Mixed-Use (TMU) zoning district. The proposal requires Special Permit approval per Article 12.1 and Section 11.3 for greater than 11 residential units on a lot, and Site Plan Review approval per Section 11.4 for a development with greater than 3 residential units. On Behalf: Steve Panagiotakos, Applicant’s Representative David Jordan, Applicant’s Engineer Speaking in Favor: None Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette noted he was recusing himself from the discussion and vote and exited the Council Chamber. D. Tenczar said he appreciated the fact that they addressed outstanding items regarding bicycle racks and landscaping. D. Tenczar asked about plant species included on the landscaping plan. D. Jordan said they were selected because they were pointed toward those choices through DPD. They would be native pollinator species. D. Tenczar said they had received feedback from some departments signing off on the project. LFD, transportation, DPD. There were a couple departments we will have to make approval conditional. I love the project and the fact that it has parking. T. Linnehan noted that the landscaping plan was approved by DPD. The trip generation report was given to us. Transportation engineer approved. LFD approved but needs final sign off still. Excellent project. T. Sar said he likes the project. J. Cardoso Silva said he loves it. Beautiful project. Motion: T. Linnehan motioned to approve the site plan review application with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall obtain final approval from the Lowell Fire Department prior to applying for a building permit; 2. The applicant shall obtain final approval from the stormwater team prior to applying for a building permit; 3. The applicant shall obtain final approval from wastewater prior to applying for a building permit; 4. The applicant shall work with the engineer regarding the Road Safety Audit; and 5. The applicant shall incorporate all engineering comments in the final plans included in their building permit application per the engineering memo dated January 6, 2025. The motion was seconded by D. Tenczar and passed unanimously, (5-0). T. Linnehan motioned to approve the Special Permit with the same conditions as the Site Plan Review approval. The motion was seconded by D. Tenczar and passed unanimously, (5-0). III. New Business 684 Westford Street, 01851 – Site Plan Review and Special Permit 684 Westford Street LLC has applied to the Lowell Planning Board to construct 4 single-family homes and 1 two-family home at 684 Westford Street. The subject property is located in the Traditional Two- Family (TTF) zoning district. The proposal requires Site Plan Review approval from the Planning Board per Section 11.4 for a development with greater than 3 residential units, and Special Permit approval from the Planning Board per Section 5.1.1 (7) and Section 11.3 to reduce the frontage requirement. On Behalf: John Cox, Applicant’s Representative David Fieldson, Applicant’s Engineer David Daly, the Applicant Speaking in Favor: Ellen Moriarty-Bowser, 167 Westview Road E. Moriarty-Bowser said is an old-fashioned neighborhood. Nice community. Tyler Park is right there, they do summer concerts. Its very family oriented. I’m looking forward to these new homes and residents, tax revenue, help my property values go up. No cuts on Westford Street. Its a nice neighborhood and I wanted to thank you for your time. Morgan Schermerhorn, 21 Tyler Park M. Schermerhorn said she is in favor of this project. It took us a few iterations to get us where we are tonight. Grateful for Mr. Daly working with us. I have a 5 and 3 year old and go to the park all the time. Looking forward to welcoming new families to neighborhood. Housing is a huge issue right now so it would be great to see these homes added. Limiting street parking on Florence would be helpful. Other than that, I love this project. Robert Hunt, 43 Florence Ave R. Hunt said he is a direct abutter. Mr. Daly does a great job. Parking on Westford Street could be an issue. That area has a bend in the road. Speed limit is 35 MPH. Speaking in Opposition: None Discussion: G. Frechette said he did see the motion that was filed around Westford/Florence Rd intersection. Not in our purview but could condition approval on looking into that and working with the City. D. Daly said that is a blind corner. Could add that in the HOA, happy to put that in as a condition. It is dangerous and we don’t want anyone parking there. G. Frechette discussed waste management. D. Daly said they would do whatever Board wanted. G. Frechette said he appreciated landscaping plan. D. Daly said they tried to add as many trees as they could. G. Frechette said street trees should be 8ft tall. G. Frechette said he is trying to look at the impact. J. Miller said 3.5inch caliper is probably a 12ft tree. G. Frechette wanted to condition approval on having trees no less than 8ft in height. D. Tenczar said he likes the proposal and landscaping plan. Provides a good blending in with the Tyler Park area. Helpful to have the trees there. The site looks like there were maybe 11 or so trees that were clearcut over the past few years. This will improve the property. I thought the Historic Board’s suggestion regarding the wraparound porch was a neat idea. D. Tenczar said he likes the idea of having trash in a communal dumpster instead of individual garbage bins. Would need to be fenced. I like that idea because I think it will be difficult for people to get their trash cans. Where would they keep them? I do think it might be necessary for HOA to deal with all the garbage at one time. I think we could put a condition. M. Schermerhorn said she has experienced waking up at 5 in the morning for dumpster to pick up what’s currently there. It's not that bad. Much less intrusive than the recycling truck that stops at every house. I prefer the dumpster. I hope that will also help with critter control. D. Tenczar said also thought of an area to line up 12 garbage cans. But there is a lot of noise from those garbage bins. Dt said looks like there are a number of conditions that need to be included. LFD didn’t have a problem with putting their large ladder truck up this driveway. Width looks tiny- but LFD signed off on it as long as plan doesn’t change. T. Linnehan said the Board had received a good report from DPD. Applicant is agreement with recommendations. T. Linnehan said he could go either way on the dumpster/trash. Glad to hear applicant is willing to work with no parking on Westford Street. L. Walker said it is definitely an upgrade to existing structure. Aligns with Lowell Forward to create more housing. Historic Board signed off. Don’t see a reason not to be in favor. T. Sar said he lives around the corner. Drives by all the time. Has seen the site. Excited to see it upgraded. What kind of lighting? Dark in that area. D. Daly said each house will have a front light. Over the last several years there has been pushback against lighting from neighborhood. Floodlights in back of houses. There will be plenty of light. J. Cardoso Silva said no questions. T. Linnehan said he appreciates moving the memorial from front to the back. Good neighbor by keeping that. T. Linnehan asked F. Cigliano if staff has a preference for trash pickup. F. Cigliano said no. D. Daly said HOA could specify whether there is an AM/PM pickup. Can say people can’t pick up before 8am. 8am-5pm window has worked perfectly well in the past. Motion: G. Frechette motioned to approve the Special Permit with the following conditions.  1. The applicant shall work with the City Council to restrict parking on Westford Street as determined in the vicinity of the development; 2. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that residents of the development will not be allowed to park on Westford Street; 3. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that dumpster pick up will be restricted to 8am-5pm weekdays only, and the dumpster shall be adequately screened as required by the Lowell Zoning Ordinance; 4. The proposed trees shall be a height of no less than 8 ft tall, 3.5 inch caliper trees. Any revisions to the landscaping plan shall be subject to DPD approval; 5. The applicant shall provide provide an access easement for each property granting access to the driveway, and the agreement shall detail maintenance, snow removal, and use of the proposed parking spaces; 6. The applicant shall obtain stormwater approval from the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU); 7. The applicant shall provide a utility agreement for each of the properties subject to Wastewater approval; 8. The applicant shall obtain Fire Department approval if changes are made to the plans; and 9. The applicant shall address all Engineering comments from the engineering memo dated January 15, 2025. T. Linnehan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). G. Frechette motioned to approve the Site Plan Review with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall work with the City Council to restrict parking on Westford Street as determined in the vicinity of the development; 2. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that residents of the development will not be allowed to park on Westford Street; 3. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that dumpster pick up will be restricted to 8am-5pm weekdays only, and the dumpster shall be adequately screened as required by the Lowell Zoning Ordinance; 4. The proposed trees shall be a height of no less than 8 ft tall, 3.5 inch caliper trees. Any revisions to the landscaping plan shall be subject to DPD approval; 5. The applicant shall provide provide an access easement for each property granting access to the driveway, and the agreement shall detail maintenance, snow removal, and use of the proposed parking spaces; 6. The applicant shall obtain stormwater approval from the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU); 7. The applicant shall provide a utility agreement for each of the properties subject to Wastewater approval; 8. The applicant shall obtain Fire Department approval if changes are made to the plans; and  9. The applicant shall address all Engineering comments from the engineering memo dated January 15, 2025. T. Linnehan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). G. Frechette motioned to approve the Definitive Subdivision with the following conditions: 1. The applicant shall work with the City Council to restrict parking on Westford Street as determined in the vicinity of the development; 2. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that residents of the development will not be allowed to park on Westford Street; 3. The applicant shall include in the HOA documents that dumpster pick up will be restricted to 8am-5pm weekdays only, and the dumpster shall be adequately screened as required by the Lowell Zoning Ordinance; 4. The proposed trees shall be a height of no less than 8 ft tall, 3.5 inch caliper trees. Any revisions to the landscaping plan shall be subject to DPD approval; 5. The applicant shall provide provide an access easement for each property granting access to the driveway, and the agreement shall detail maintenance, snow removal, and use of the proposed parking spaces; 6. The applicant shall obtain stormwater approval from the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility (LRWWU); 7. The applicant shall provide a utility agreement for each of the properties subject to Wastewater approval; 8. The applicant shall obtain Fire Department approval if changes are made to the plans; and 9. The applicant shall address all Engineering comments from the engineering memo dated January 15, 2025. T. Linnehan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, (5-0). IV. Other Business V. Further Comments from Planning Board Members G. Frechette said NMCOG just approved process for 5-year strategic plan. We had visioning sessions, committee that met well over a year. Put together a plan that describes NMCOG and roadmap for future of agency. Become more of a regional planning agency instead of just a transportation center. Well- thought-out document. D. Tenczar asked if NMCOG is in charge of Rourke Bridge Development. G. Frechette said now its in the hands of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. T. Linnehan said next meeting the Planning Board will be appointing a Historic Board member. Meets on one Monday a month. That will be on the agenda.  VI. Adjournment D. Tenczar motioned and Thel Sar seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The time was 8:02PM.