WELLESLEY PLANNING BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
ROOM G - THIRD FLOOR and PLANNING BOARD OFFICE - LOWER LEVEL
TOWN HALL
MINUTES
Present: Mr. Frisardi, Ms. Donahue, Mr. Chan, Mr. McCauley, Ms. Lehmann, ……… …. ……………………………………………………………………………Mrs. Jop, Mr. Brown.
Albert S. Robinson. (during executive session)
Steve Langer, Joseph Geller, Thomas Bloch, Amy Gorin (for discussion of Bethel Road), Steve Sykes (Advisory Committee), Ann Hile. (during some portion or all of open session)
Room G
1. 27 Washington Street
The Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously by a polling of the members to enter into executive session to discuss litigation. At the conclusion of this discussion the Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously by a polling of the members to enter into open session in its offices on the lower level to complete its open meeting agenda.
Planning Board Office
2. LHR- 08-05 #36 Standish Circle – Jon and Lorreen Hollingsworth
The Board met with Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth to discuss their request for a waiver of the Large House Review (LHR). The Board received a letter from the Hollingsworth’s requesting the waiver.
The applicant was forthright in presenting the history of the matter including acknowledged failure to fully comply with building department requirements. It was noted by the Board in discussion that this is a unique circumstance not expected to occur frequently. The Board felt that the project is indeed de minimus. The interior space involved was “finished,” albeit without required documentation, prior to the first of the year.
The Board felt that it would serve no useful purpose to conduct LHR in this case. The Planning Board believes that the waiver of the LHR requirements in this case with its unique circumstances will be consistent with the purpose and intent of the bylaw and in the public interest.
After some further discussion with the applicant and considerable deliberation amongst the Board members it was moved, seconded and voted (4-1) to approve the applicant’s request.
A letter will be prepared to be sent to the Inspector of Buildings confirming the Board vote.
3. Bethel Road Proposed Partial Discontinuance (Article 23 – 2008 ATM)
The Board discussed, with Mr. Langer, Mr. Geller, Mr. Bloch and Ms. Gorin, as representatives of Temple Beth Elohim, Article 23 of the Warrant for the 2008 Annual Town Meeting which would alter the street by discontinuing a portion of the accepted layout. The change will enable the Temple to reconfigure the driveway to the front entrance of the new Temple building. Representatives of the Temple explained the essential components of the plan to replace the existing Temple with a new building, reconfigure the parking and vehicle access areas, assume maintenance and snow plowing of the remaining accepted portion of Bethel Road, adding spaces on the Schofield School site and establishing (gated) vehicular and pedestrian access between the two properties. Plans were on display showing the proposed discontinuance and the
proposed Temple project in plan view. Reduced scale versions were included in the Planning Board meeting packet. Mr. Langer mentioned that the School Committee and the Advisory Committee have both unanimously voted to support the change.
Mr. Chan asked about the frontage for abutting lots. Mr. Langer explained that the existing frontage for private lots on Bethel Road would not be affected.
After this discussion the Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously to offer support Article 33.
4. Minutes
The Minutes of March 10, 2008 were approved as amended.
5. Neighborhood Conservation District (Article 33)
Ms. Lehmann provided an update on the development of the Neighborhood Conservation District article for a portion of Denton Road. She reported on a letter dated March 11 from Susan Kunk and Jens Kruse (48 Denton Road) expressing their concerns about the process. Ms. Lehmann said that she had a lengthy telephone conversation with them to explain the circumstances leading to the present NCD boundary delineation. She said that Ms. Kunk and Mr. Kruse were quite understanding once this information had been discussed with them.
6. Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (CPTC) Meeting
Mr. Chan reported on the recent CPTC meeting held in Worcester. Copies of several of the handouts from that meeting were copied and provided to the other Planning Board members. He said that the meeting was quite useful. He noted the sessions on conflict of interest and email communications. There was a brief discussion of email communications. Mr. Frisardi commented that emails that are strictly informational do not violate the open meeting law but communications that could be construed as leading toward a vote must be avoided.
7. Recodification Retreat
The Board discussed the benefits of having an “off-site” meeting to discuss the recodification project. Members calendar availability was discussed. The tentative time frame for this session will be during the first week in June. Chairman Frisardi indicated that he will call Mr. Monahan of Wellesley College to arrange for a meeting room.
8. Executive Session
The Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously by a polling of the members to enter into executive session to discuss litigation. At the conclusion of this discussion the Board moved, seconded and voted unanimously by a polling of the members to enter into open session for the purpose of adjournment.
Next Meeting: Monday, March 31, 2008
Meeting Adjourned: 10:20 p.m.
Approved: 4/10/08
Richard H. Brown
Planning Director
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