MEETING OF THE EATON PLANNING BOARD
ON DECEMBER 12, 2006
AT 7:00 P.M., IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
The Eaton Planning Board met in regular session in Council Chambers on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 7:00 p.m.
The roll was called and the following were found to be:
Present : Ronald Coleman
Stanley Spencer
Tim Lane
Harold Geeting
Gary Wagner
Tom Jordan
Absent: Steve Deffner
Also in attendance were City Manager Dave Daily, Projects Manager Joe Ferriell, Mayor Bob Stonecash, Building Inspector Jim Ankrum and Law Director Jill Richards.
MINUTES:
The minutes of the November 14, 2006 meeting were read. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Gary Wagner and seconded by Tim Lane. The motion passed as follows:
Ayes: Spencer, Lane, Geeting, Wagner, Jordan (5)
Nays: None
Abstain: Coleman (1)
SWEARING IN:
All members of the audience anticipating to testify before the Board were asked to raise their right hand and be sworn in. The secretary administered the oath or affirmation to the audience.
MSP - 06-05 - Major Site Plan - Church of the Visitation - 415 E. Main Street:
The Applicant has applied for approval of a major site plan, to construct a parking lot located on lots no. #273, #274, #275 and #276, after the demolition of two existing homes. This property is zoned ‘R-2’ Central Residential District.
Stephen Pope was present to represent the Church of the Visitation along with Rev. J. Thomas Fitzsimmons in the audience. The Church owns several lots located between Vine Street and Franklin Street. The properties at issue are 415 East Main Street and 115 Vine Street. Specifically, the Church has been growing and in need of additional parking. This parking will be constructed after the demolition of the homes at the Main Street and Vine Street address. These homes are in much need of repair and it would cost more to renovate these homes and put renters in them, than to construct the new asphalt parking area. The current parking area for the church is very small.
The amount of square footage that they are proposing to asphalt is, Lot 276, 3755 square feet and the other section off of Vine Street it will be 8201 square feet. The new asphalt would abut the existing parking lot to form one large, continuous parking area. The additional asphalt would provide the Church with 33 additional parking spaces.
The Church is also asking that the Board waive any requirements for additional signage or lighting for the new parking addition, as they feel what they have at this time is adequate.
There is no direct storm water drainage in this area. There are two catch basins that are close by at Vine and East Main Streets. Presently, the water drains off to the east, behind the Armory and then north. The current parking lot is on a high elevation and has not experienced drainage problems. The applicant proposed not to re-direct any drainage but just to let the water continue to flow in its natural course without any changes.
It was noted that they would keep the curb cut that they presently have, but no additional cuts would be made. The curb and sidewalk that is presently in front of the property on Vine Street will remain the same after the house is demolished to prevent cars from driving over the sidewalk.
Mr. Ferriell gave a staff recommendation in favor of the application, after determining that it was in accordance with the Comprehensive Development Plan: and it meets all specific submittal requirements. He did inform the Board that a Storm Water Management Plan was not required for this size lot, being it is less than one (1) acre. It was noted that Staff did not have any problem with waiving the requirements for additional lighting and signage.
Gary Wagner made a motion to approve this application with a revised plan that would add an additional three (3) feet to the turn around lane making a seven (7) foot buffer between the sidewalk and the new parking area. The motion was seconded by Ron Coleman and passed as follows:
Ayes: Coleman, Spencer, Lane, Geeting, Wagner, Jordan (6)
Nays: None
OLD BUSINESS:
A motion was made by Mr. Wagner to untable PB-06-04, a Conditional Use by Norma J. Stapleton for a Restaurant/Tavern at 112 East Main Street, from September. 2006. The motion was seconded by Ron Coleman and passed.
A second motion was made by Ron Coleman to dismiss this application due to the fact that nothing had been submitted since September to fulfill the requirements to make a complete application. This motion was seconded by Tim Lane and passed. The application was dismissed and the applicant will be notified and informed that they will have to re apply and provide the additional information required.
Mr. Ferriell informed the Board that the owner of 1600 North Barron Street, Mr. Melling, has taken a position with Somerville Bank and will not be opening the mortgage company they had proposed at this address and are now renting the property.
NEW BUSINESS:
None
ADJOURN:
A motion to adjourn was made by Ron Coleman and seconded by Gary Wagner. Motion passed and meeting was adjourned.
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Secretary Chairman