Scheduled:
7:00 PM 730 Main Street: Continuation of Subdivision Hearing
7:45 PM Proposed Drive-Up ATM, 1 Derby Street (Aloha Site)
Site Plan Review - Special Permit A-2 -Section III 4.11
8:00 PM Continuation of Public Hearings on Modifications to the Zoning By-Law relative to the issuance of Special Permits A-2
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: 730 Main Street: Continuation of Subdivision Hearing
Present for the Applicant: Bruce Issadore, Attorney, on behalf of Thomas J. Hastings, applicant.
This project, proposed by local developer Thomas J. Hastings, would entail the creation of a subdivision roadway, and creation of two house lots on the property now known as 730 Main Street. An existing house would be located on one of the lots, and a new house would be constructed on the new lot. The application was submitted to the Hingham Town Clerk on January 17, 2006. The first hearing was posted for February 27, but the applicant requested a continuance to March 27. Per a letter submitted by the applicant's attorney on February 28, 2006, the review period was also extended to June 30, 2006 at that time.
Mr. Issadore presented the Board with another request from the applicant to continue the hearing until after Town Meeting. This extension was requested in light of the fact that the land included in the subdivision was the subject of a warrant article being put forth by the Community Preservation Committee to purchase the land and place a conservation restriction on it (along with several abutting properties).
Board members responded that they did not feel that this was an appropriate reason to continue the hearing. They requested that Mr. Hastings withdraw the subdivision without prejudice. Mr. Issadore left the room to phone his client. When returned, he stated that the applicant was willing to withdraw the application.
RE: Proposed Drive-Up ATM, 1 Derby Street (Aloha Site)
Present for the Applicant: Rebecca Walsh, DRL Architects, and Joe Hayes, Scituate Savings and Loan.
The applicant is seeking a Special Permit A-2 under Section III 4.11 for installation of an ATM in the drive-thru lane of the Scituate Savings Bank, which will be located on the lower level of the new building being constructed at the corner of Whiting and Derby (Derby Street Shoppes South). This ATM will be accessed by a drive-thru lane adjacent to the building, which was originally approved with the original Special Permit for a drive up teller. As proposed, the ATM will have no impact on the previously approved site plan, number of parking spaces, or on-site circulation.
Board members asked the applicant how traffic flow would work through the drive-up lane, in light of the presence of both an ATM and a live teller's window. The applicant explained that the two things would never be operational at the same time-the ATM would only be in operation when the teller's window was closed, and visa versa.
Board members voted to recommend that the ZBA approve the project, with a condition that the ATM and drive thru teller never be simultaneously operational.
RE: Continuation of Public Hearings on Modifications to the Zoning By-Law relative to the issuance of Special Permits A-2
The Board continued discussion about the revised zoning article, which would make the Site Plan Review "binding" by requiring that the ZBA incorporate the Planning Board's recommendations as conditions to the final special permit.
Board members discussed, at length, the pros and cons of officially presenting the revised article versus sticking with the original article. They attempted to balance which article would be in the best interests of the Town versus which article would be most likely to get through Town Meeting. Ultimately the Board agreed to move forward with the Site Plan Review article at this point, reserving the right to move back to the Special Permit Granting Article if it appeared that the Advisory Committee would not be coming forward with a positive recommendation.
Old/New Business
Minutes/Bills
It was moved, seconded, and SO VOTED, unanimously, by those present to approve the minutes of March 13, and March 20, 2006.
Form A-Hingham Shipyard
Dick Cook presented a Form A showing minor modifications to the various lot lines on the western side of the property, which will soon be purchased by the developer, Samuels. These changes are in anticipation of a request for a modification to the original Special Permit granted in 2003, prompted, in part, by the discovery of an environmental hazard on a portion of the site where residential uses were planned. Board members asked Mr. Cook to return with a colored plan which more clearly showed how this plan differed from the previously approved Form A. Mr. Cook agreed to this request, and stated that he would return with a modified Form A next week.
Request for Determination of Site Eligibility-Penniman Knoll 40B
Ms. Lacy provided the Board with an overview of this proposed 40B development. This project would include 20 units of age-restricted housing in nine buildings on a nine-acre site on Whiting Street between Penniman Hill and the Driving Range. The applicant, represented by Attorney Jeffery Tocchio, came before the Land Use Staff at a regular Wednesday meeting to discuss the project few weeks ago. At this point they have not filed a formal Comprehensive Permit application. They will be requesting a determination of Site Eligibility from Mass Housing Partnership in the next few weeks, and at that time the Board will be asked to make formal comments.
Form A-Main Street
This Form A, which added a strip of land to the back to the property at 58 Main Street, was approved by the Planning Board on August 7, 1986, but the applicant never picked up the mylar or recorded the plan. The revised plan has been reviewed, and it appears to be identical.
Susan Murphy, Clerk, agreed to re-endorse the plan so that it could be recorded.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine Lacy
Town Planner