Scheduled:
7:00 Follow-Up to Site Plan Review Recommendation
Special Permit A-2, DPW and Athletic Fields
8:00 Form A, Hingham, Shipyard
8:15 Continuation of Public Hearing on Proposed Modifications to the Zoning By-Law
9:00 Old/New Business
Central Meeting Room North
Present: Planning Board Members, Susan Murphy, Clerk, 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: Follow-Up to Site Plan Review Recommendation Special Permit A-2, DPW and Athletic Fields
Present for the Applicant: Robert Garrity, DPW Committee; Jeffery Dirk, VAI Engineers; Paul Costello, Gale Associates
The Planning Board met with representatives from the DPW Building Committee to discuss proposed modifications to the Planning Board's December 7, 2006 recommendation relating to the proposed development of a new DPW facility and Athletic Fields.
Ms. Murphy explained that discussion of the proposed modifications was prompted by the fact that at the time the Planning Board's original recommendation was written to the ZBA, the Planning Board's understanding was that construction of the DPW facility was scheduled for the immediate future, but construction of the fields would not be undertaken until an unspecified future date. Based on this understanding, the Planning Board's original Site Plan Review hearings resulted in a recommendation for a phased implementation for proposed traffic improvements, with temporary roadway improvements linked to the near-term construction of the DPW facility, and more comprehensive and important roadway improvements and realignment linked to the future development of the athletic fields. In light of the fact that the DWP Committee is planning on requesting that this year's Town Meeting grant sufficient funds to commence construction of both the DPW facility and the Athletic Fields, the Planning Board felt it important to reconsider their original recommendation to ensure the safest and most beneficial outcome for the Town.
Mr. Dirk, VAI, summarized his previous position that the four-legged intersection would be the safest option. He went on to say that if the new entrance were not possible, another option would be to close off the credit union entrance, and consolidate access at the Thomas Auto Body entrance. He also noted that this solution would be significantly less expensive (around $500,000 less) than the new roadway configuration. Ms. Murphy responded that the Planning Board felt that it was very important to build the safest possible intersection possible, and noted that anything other than that would "penny wise but pound foolish".
Mr. Garrity responded that, in fact, the DPW Committee was not opposed to the reconfigured entrance, and acknowledged that it looked like a safer solution. His primary concern was the way that the Planning Board's recommendation was worded, which stated that all proposed studies and improvements must be completed "prior to commencement of work" on the Athletic Fields. He noted that this provision could hold up the project because there was no knowing how long it would take to complete the roadway configuration. Mr. McGrath responded that he would be willing to modify the recommendation to state that the fields would not become operational until the traffic mitigation was complete.
Ms. Lacy asked whether there was sufficient budget to build the reconfigured roadway. Mr. Garrity responded that if an actual traffic signal was not required, that it probably could be fit into the project budget.
Ms. Corey stated that she was concerned that unless the Town was forced to plan, budget and implement for the traffic improvements up front, that it would never get done. From the audience, Michael Connolly concurred with Ms. Corey.
Mr. Tom Patch, Attorney for several of the DPW abutters, expressed his opinion that the Planning Board was acting improperly by re-visiting their recommendation, though he did not provide details. He pointed out that the fields and the DPW are two distinct projects and should be permitted separately. He noted that if they were going to be looked at concurrently then the applicant should "take the good with the bad" by addressing traffic needs for the whole project as suggested by the Planning Board.
Ms. Murphy reiterated to Mr. Garrity the concern that if the committee were not required to implement the proposed improvements up front that they would not get done. Mr. Garrity noted that if the requirement for the roadway configuration was included in the Special Permit, that it would require a formal modification to change it. He pointed out, however, that even if the DPW Committee requested that such a condition be placed in the Special Permit, that the ZBA could choose to ignore that request.
The Planning Board voted to modify its December 7, 2006 recommendation to the ZBA by deleting Section II in its entirety, and replacing it with the following:
II. Athletic Fields
A) Roadway and Traffic Improvements
1) Prior to the Athletic Fields becoming operational, the Town, though the DPW Committee, shall prepare plans for and implement the following traffic and circulation improvements at the Depot:
i) Relocate and realign the entrance to Bare Cove Park Drive along Fort Hill Street to the area now occupied by the School Bus Depot opposite the entrance to the West Hingham Station to form a four-legged intersection;
ii) Close off the existing access drive to the Depot;
iii) Widen Fort Hill Street to provide a left-hand turn lane on the northbound approach to the new intersection;
iv) Redesign and lay-out the bus depot area in accordance with the requirements set forth in the letter from the School Department dated April 3, 2006 (attachment A); and
v) In conjunction with these required improvements and based on the recommendation of the traffic engineer working for the DPW Committee, install traffic signal conduit and pull boxes at Fort Hill Street in order to facilitate the potential future installation of a traffic control signal at the new intersection if warranted by Mass Highway.
2) Prior to the Athletic Fields becoming operational, the Town, through a joint effort of the Police, the Recreation Commission and the Department of Public Works, shall prepare a "Traffic Management Plan" with the goals of (i) reducing the coincidental peaking of traffic; (ii) allowing for the dispersal of traffic prior to the arrival of new traffic, and (iii) assessing the need for and cost of Police detail officers and other traffic mitigation methods. This plan shall be updated on a yearly basis, or as otherwise required.
3) If the Athletic Fields are to serve as the venue for a regional sporting event that may result in traffic volumes in excess of those projected and evaluated in conjunction with the permitting of the project, the event sponsor will provide an "Event Management Plan" for review and approval by the Hingham Police.
B. Site Lighting
Lights along the entry Drive into the DPW shall not exceed 16 feet in height.
C. Screening
As discussed by the DPW Building Committee in public hearings, the two existing cart paths leading from the southern side of the Athletic Fields area into the Conservatory Park neighborhood shall be planted with mature trees, with the overall effect of blocking access and screening visual impact to abutting residential properties.
RE: Form A, Hingham, Shipyard
Richard Cook of BSC Engineers, appeared before the Board on behalf of SeaChain, LLC, developer of the Hingham Shipyard, with a Form A showing changes to the various lots lines within the Hingham Shipyard. These changes are in anticipation of the sale of the western portion of the site to the developer, Samuels Associates, and a pending 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.
It was moved, seconded and SO VOTED, by all those present, to endorse the Form A Plan entitled "Hingham Shipyard Lincoln Street and Shipyard Drive in Hingham Massachusetts (Plymouth County)", dated March 22, 2006, prepared by BSC Group, Norwell, MA for Paul Trendowicz, Hewitts Cove Marina LLC, 349 Lincoln Street, Hingham, MA, applicant and owner.
RE: Continuation of Public Hearing on Proposed Modifications to the Zoning By-Law
Ms. Lacy reported that she got in touch with Bob Ritchie at the AG's office and he believes that the Planning Board Article (original and "compromise") would not affect Special Permits issued after the first date of notification of the PB hearing, which means that NO existing special permits issued after the date of notification of the hearings would have to be reheard, or would become invalid. Future major modifications to existing Special Permits would, in accordance with our by-law, be treated just like a new special permit application (they have to have a new public hearing, notification, etc.) These future modification hearings would have to proceed in accordance with whatever new system would be adopted (binding site plan review, or a new SPGA).
Old/New Business
Preliminary Discussion of Planning Board Committee Representatives to CPC, Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan Committee, Open Space Committee, Traffic Committee.
Ms. Lacy pointed out that the Board needed to look at who was going to serve on the various town committees required to include a Planning Board member or Planning Board representative. At this point there are several vacancies, and current Board members are too busy to attend these additional meetings. Board members discussed presenting an article at a future Town Meeting to modify the make up of certain committees to permit a Planning Board representative, rather than an actual member of the Board, to serve on these committees.
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted,
Katharine Lacy
Town Planner