Scheduled:
7:00 PM Continuation of Public Hearings on Proposed Amendment to the Zoning By-Law to Modify the Special Permit A2 Process
Old/New Business
Central Meeting Room South
Present: Planning Board Members, Susan Murphy, Clerk, Paul Healey, Sarah Corey, and Tod McGrath. Also present was Planner Katharine Lacy.
Ms. Murphy opened the public meeting at 7:10 P.M. at the Hingham Town Hall
RE: Continuation of Zoning Hearings
Board members continued discussion of a proposed change to the Zoning By-Law to switch the Special Permit Granting Authority for Special Permits A2 from the ZBA to the Planning Board.
RE: Old/New Business
1. Board members reviewed and signed the Monitoring Services Agreement for the Affordable Units at Ridgewood Crossing.
2. Board members reviewed two concurrent applications to replace wireless facilities on the smokestack at the Hingham Shipyard. In light of the fact that the work proposed simply entailed a replacement of existing equipment, Board members determined that it was not necessary to conduct a full Site Plan Review Hearing, or to provide a recommendation to the ZBA.
3. It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, unanimously, by those present to approve the minutes of February 27, 2006.
4. As a follow up to the Special Permit A2 Hearing on the Central Fire Station, it was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, unanimously, by those present to send the following letter to the Traffic Committee requesting a hearing on traffic issues relative to Fire Station Way:
March 7, 2006
To: Hingham Traffic Committee
From: Hingham Planning Board
Re: Traffic Issues on Playground Road/Fire Station Way
In the course of the Planning Board's site plan review hearings for the addition to the Central Fire Station, abutters expressed concern with existing and potential future traffic safety issues relative to Fire Station Way. While the Board recommended approval of the project by the Zoning Board of Appeals, they acknowledged the validity of abutter concerns and made a commitment to seek the input and review of the Traffic Committee.
Two primary areas of concern were identified. First, the existing driveway into the Fire Station is already quite close to Fire Station Way, and the re-design places it even closer, thus elevating the potential for conflict for vehicles entering and exiting the two driveways. This danger is much higher during good weather, when parents with children are more likely to be frequenting the playground. Abutters with direct views testify that they have already witnessed near misses between vehicles pulling the playground, and fire trucks pulling out, and they speculate that this will only get worse with the closer driveway location.
The second issue that emerged was the actual use of Fire Station Way itself. Abutters mentioned that once good weather starts and playground use rises, they see large numbers of cars speeding in and out of, parking along the side of the road, and blocking emergency access in or out of the
playground. Some of the suggestions identified included installing speed bumps (such as those in place at South Shore Conservatory), putting in curbing, restricting parking to one side of the roadway, or installing signage to direct cars to Haley Field when the Playground lot was full. Another idea was to place a stop sign on Fire Station Way right before you enter the Fire Station parking area, so that cars would slow down before proceeding to Main Street.
Given that Spring is coming, the Board feels that these issues should be addressed as soon as possible so that measures could be put in place for the upcoming playground season. Please let us know when the Traffic Committee would have room on their agenda to take up this matter. The Planning Board can follow up with the neighbors in the vicinity of the Fire Station to let them know when the meeting would take place.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine T. Lacy
Town Planner