Planning Board

************************************************************************************* TAUNTON PLANNING BOARD MINUTES Meeting held at 15 Summer Street, City Hall, in the Chester R. Martin Municipal Council Chambers ************************************************************************************* DATE: March 7, 2024 BOARD MEMBERS: Anthony Abreau, Chairman Brian Carr John Reardon, Clerk Dennis I. Ackerman, Vice Chairman Kelly Dooner George Moniz William A. Fitzgerald, Jr. ADVISORS: Kevin Scanlon, City Planner Michael Patneaude, City Engineer __________________________________________________________________________ Roll Call: Abreau, Reardon, Dooner, Moniz, Carr and Fitzgerald. Meeting opens at 5:31 PM Chairman Abreau had a moment of silence and paid tribute to P.B. member Manny Spencer who passed away on Feb. 15, 2024. Manny was a devoted P.B member and his death has left a hole in the hearts of many. Manny will be dearly missed. Chairman Abreau welcome new P.B. member William Fitzgerald, former Director of Office of Economic Development and Asst. DPW Commissioner Kelly made motion to approve minutes of February 1, 2024 second by Brian. All in favor. Election of Officers – Clerk Brian made motion to nominate John Reardon for Clerk, seconded by George. All in favor John Reardon was elected Clerk. Public Meeting – Site Plan Review – Stevens St .(prop. I.D. 109-2) – to allow the existing 50’ x 125’ foundation to be converted into 3 contractor bays to be used for warehouse, Submitted by Robert Soares, Jr – Requesting to continue to 4-4-24 and waives the time frame. Motion made and seconded to grant continuance to 4-4-24 Vote: Abreau, Reardon, Abreau, Moniz, Carr, Fitzgerald……yes Petition continued to 4-4-24 Public Hearing- Repetitive Petition - To allow the petitioner to re-file with the Zoning Board of Appeals for property on 24 Greylock Ave. prop. I.D. 64-196, 64-197, 64-198, and 64-199. The new proposal is for 2 equal sized lots for a variance for lot area only and for a single family only on each lot. Original proposal needed variances for lot area, dry area and setbacks. Letter requesting to withdraw petition without prejudice. George made motion to allow the petition to be withdrawn without prejudice, seconded by Brian. Vote: Reardon, Abreau, Carr, Moniz, Dooner………Yes Fitzgerald………………………………... Abstains Ackerman……………………………………absent Petition withdrawn without prejudice. 1 Cont’d. E-5 – Titus Way – request to release last lot –holding $130,216 Updated letters from GPI and City Engineer was read into the record. Dept. comments from B.O.H., TMLP, were read into the record last month. Brian made motion to release last lot upon receipt of $163,924 of acceptable surety, seconded by George. All in favor. Dennis Ackerman present at 5:38 PM Dennis asked if the Board voted on the Repetitive Petition and it was answered yes the applicant had a request to withdraw it. Dennis stated he was outside talking to abutters who are not sure what is going on. They heard a developer might put a triplex on the property and the abutters would rather see 2 single families. Chairman Abreau stated the owner requested it to be withdrawn. Dennis was suggesting re- considering the vote and continue to next month so the abutters and developer can have discussion. Brian stated the developer can do what they want and he’s not sure about the legality of re-considering the vote. Chairman Abreau stated the Board voted on the request before them. Petition was withdrawn without prejudice. Cont’d Gracey Estates – Request to release lots 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 13 - holding 0 surety Dept. comments from GPI, City Engineer and City Planner were read into the record relative to reclaimed borrow as a substitute for gravel base and the lot releases. Dennis made motion to accept the reclaimed borrow as a substitute for the gravel base for Joel Harvey Way and Gracie Way. Seconded by Kelly. All in favor. George made motion to release lots 3-7, 9, 10, & 13 upon acceptable surety in the amount of $18,486 per lot. Seconded by Brian. All in favor. Public hearing- A Special Permit/Site Plan Review from Section 440 Attachment #2 of the Zoning Ordinance for property at 6 Mozzone Boulevard to allow a drive-through for a 2,433 sq. ft. restaurant with 83 seats and a second space with either a 2,932 sq. ft. restaurant with 140 seats or a 2,932 sq. ft. retail use in the Industrial District, submitted by GREP Mozzone LLC Roll call: Dooner, Ackerman, Reardon, Abreau, Moniz, Carr and Fitzgerald. Hearing opens at 5:45 PM Atty. Daniel deAbreu, Randy Miron, Bohler Eng. were invited into the enclosure. Dept. comments from DIRB, Conservation Commission, City Engineer, Fire Dept. and Water Dept. were read into the record and placed on file. Atty. deAbreu states this is old TGIFriday’s site. They are requesting approval for the building to be approved for 2 separate business. One will be a restaurant with a drive-thru and the other can be either a restaurant or retail space. They have a total of 112 parking spaces (that includes 8 outdoor seasonable spaces) There are restaurants in the area and this would fit in as well as retail. They will see what the market demand is. They are sure of one restaurant with drive-thru. They are re-using the existing building. Randy Miron, Bohler Eng. explains the site plan. They have 4 waivers which are covered on the plans. They will re-configure the ADA parking bringing it closer to the building. They will make adjustments to curbing and parking area and put new trash area in back. They will maintain site light and stormwater basins. Landscaping will be improved. They have filed with Conservation Commission and are scheduled for April 1st meeting. Dennis asked why is this proposal here because you are putting in a restaurant and there was a restaurant there. Atty. deAbreu answers they need a Special Permit for the drive thru and retail. A restaurant is allowed by right but they are changing the parking and adding drive-thru 2 Dennis understands now and says it’s a great project of filling a vacant building. Tony said the majority of the changes are inside and minor changes outside. John stated they are definitely putting in one restaurant with drive-thru. Randy stated the 2nd space can be used as a restaurant or retail. John wanted to make sure they address the grease trap comment and Randy says it’s in the DIRB if 2nd business is restaurant it will need another grease trap. John asked about trash receptacle and our former P.B. member always asked for one. Steve Hardy states they can put one but it really doesn’t matter people will do what they want to do and litter. George asked why the drive-thru was located in the middle of the parking area and he suggested it be moved closer to the property line. This will eliminate people being parked and having the cars in the drive- thru blocking them in. Atty. deAbreu stated their proposal is a typical drive-thru explains the circulation. Brian stated former P.B. member always wanted pedestrian sidewalk and asked if they can put signage. Randy stated they were not proposing any signage and they will have striped crosswalk and they can add signage too. Bill suggested putting the trash receptacle and they can do a good job taking care of property. Bill asked if they were going to have new curb cuts? It was answered no. How many cars can be in drive- thru? Randy answers 14 cars can be stacked. They received guidance from the City Planner. Bill asked if the radius meets the standards and it was answered yes. George asked what restaurant will be going in? Atty. deAbreu answers nothing has been finalized yet. Public Input: no one in favor or opposed. Kelly made motion, seconded by George, to approve the SP/SPR with the DIRB comments and following conditions: Comment: #1) That the plans dated February 9, 2024 shall govern with the following additional conditions; Condition #2) Lighting shall not illuminate any portion of abutting properties Condition #3) The site shall be kept clean and clear of debris Condition #4) Two sets of as-builts shall be submitted upon occupancy for all work on site and shall include design engineer and land surveyor certification notes stating the development has been built according to the approved plans. Plans will show all construction of buildings, utilities, grades, setbacks etc Condition #5) Two sets of updated plans shall be provided that conforms to this decision prior to Building permit Condition #6) The dumpster shall be located on a concrete pad, be enclosed with a 6 foot enclosure, shall be kept closed at all times and be emptied regularly Condition #7) Shift van accessible access aisle to be in the middle of the ADA parking Condition #8) An updated sewer system plan with a grease trap solution shall be approved prior to building permit Condition #9) Add stop signs at the exits Condition#10) Place and maintain a trash receptacle in the drive-thru lane. Condition #11) Erect signage identifying internal sidewalk Notes Note 1) DPW permits are required including city licensed contractor, road opening and trench permits. Note 2) DPW specifications shall apply including backflow devices, pressure testing, materials, installation, inspection and approval and prior notice is required before any city water work is to be performed and inspections are required prior to backfilling Vote: 7 in Favor Anthony Abreau YES Dennis Ackerman YES John Reardon YES Brian Carr YES 3 Kelly Dooner YES George Moniz YES William A Fitzgerald, Jr. YES Hearing closed at 6:18 PM Discontinuance of a portion of Sao Paulo Avenue - submitted by City Engineer – need to forward a recommendation to Municipal Council. Letter from City Engineer requesting a portion of the Sao Paulo Avenue be discontinued. The reason is to discontinue the portion of Sao Paulo Ave. that was created during the original subdivision. When the subdivision was extended the need for the turnaround was no longer needed. The discontinuance of the unnecessary and unused portion of the street layout will then revert to the abutting property owners. This will allow the lots to be configured in the same manner as the rest of the subdivision. Dennis made motion to follow the recommendation of the City Engineer and forward a positive recommendation to the Council for the discontinuance of a portion of Sao Paulo Ave (as indicated on plans) seconded by Brian. All in favor. Brian brought maybe sending a letter to the school department to ask if all the development over the past few years have has an impact on the schools (ie. Need for more schools, bigger classrooms, etc) There is a lot of housing being planned and he wonders how it will affects the schools. He has concerns for schools being stretch to capacity due to the increase population. He would like to see more industrial commercial users as opposed to more residential. He stated Dighton just denied a big development. Kelly stated the Council had the School committee at meeting and they reported the schools are not “busting at the seems” The number of increase in children has been steady for the past decade. It was noted the P.B. can’t deny a project based on school impact. George stated as a ZBA member they are more strict on allowing development and he agrees there is a lot going on. Dennis suggesting putting on next months’ agenda to have discussion asking the Council to revert back to the 15,000 sq. ft. lot size in Urban Residential District and also eliminate allowing a duplex or triplex by right, allowed by a Special Permit by ZBA. Kelly stated the Council discussed this about 3 weeks ago and will be discussing it more in the coming weeks as to changes per the Master Plan Dennis stated he was a master plan writer and it’s only a guide . Kelly stated 10,000 sq. ft. lot was a compromise because there are a lot of smaller lots in the city and it would bring them into compliance. Chairman Abreau stated, in his opinion, the City looks better with single family homes he doesn’t like all the duplexes and triplexes. Dennis suggests putting the lot size and SP for duplex and triplex on May agenda for discussion. Brian made motion to send a letter to School Committee asking if the increase in development has any impact on the schools, seconded by Dennis. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Discontinuance of a portion of Sao Paulo Avenue - submitted by City Engineer – need to forward a recommendation to Municipal Council. Letter from the City Engineer requesting the discontinuance of a portion of Sao Paulo Avenue. The reason is to discontinue the portion of Sao Paulo Ave. that was created during the original subdivision. When the subdivision was extended the need for the turnaround was no longer needed. The discontinuance of the unnecessary and unused portion of the street layout will then revert back to the abutting properties. Dennis made motion, on the recommendation of the City Engineer, to forward a positive recommendation for the discontinuance of a portion of Sao Paulo Ave, seconded by Brian. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM 17