Planning Board Meeting: April 16, 2025

Attendance

• Board Members present in-person: John Mirick, Corey Burnham-Howard, Ian Catlow, Larry DeBlois, Ann Neuburg, and alternate member Scott Peoples
• Board Members present, remote:  none
• Other Participation, in person: Jim Hanifan, Cynthia Hanson, and Carlos Nieto-Mattei
• Other Participation, remote:  Helga Lyons

Call to Order

7:30 PM

Review and Endorse ANR Plans

No plans were submitted for review.

Informal Discussion of Site Plan for Public Safety Building

Carlos Nieto-Mattei discussed with the Board the working draft of the site plan for the Public Safety Building, including grading, drainage, location of the well, traffic circulation, and parking spaces.  The total impervious covering (building and paving) of the site appears to be roughly the same as the current impervious covering. The design includes a tight tank to impound washings from equipment and vehicles.  The frontage of the site is less than 225 feet, but Section VI.1(B) allows reduced frontage for municipal buildings.  The side yard setback on the westerly side is 10 feet which meets Section VI.1(E).  The current footprint of the building is approximately 12,500 square feet which may need a variance from the ZBA from the provisions of Section VI.1(H).  The current plan calls for some parking spaces within 50 feet for Boylston Avenue.  The Board was uncertain if the 50-foot setback applied to parking spaces.  The working design did not include exterior lighting, but it will be downward directed.  A single well is proposed on the site with a PFAS treatment system and separate storage tanks for potable water and fire protection water. A conceptual septic system layout is being developed in front of the building and portions of this system may be located beneath parking areas.

Jim Hanifan gave the Board an overview of the working draft on the interior layout, and renderings of the exterior.

There may be further informal discussions as the site plan progresses.  Assuming that a variance is needed from the provisions of Section VI.1(H), it will probably be a joint public hearing of the Board (site plan) and the ZBA (variance).

Public Comment

Cynthia Hanson informally addressed and queried the Board on her possible application for an ADU to be attached to her barn at 9 Ball Hill Road.  The barn is a 19^th century structure, but not on the National Historic Register.  Her design firm is considering a stairway within the ADU to allow a connection into the loft in the barn.  This would not be living space.  The Board suggested that she should work with her design firm to complete an application.  If that process points out issues on which she would like some guidance, she can schedule an informal discussion with the Board.

Informal Discussion of ADU for 259 Worcester Road

Carolyn Davis did not appear.  The Board passed over this item.

Trash Container Sheds

John reported that the ZBA denied a setback variance for the trash container shed constructed at 217 Mirick Road.  After Town Meeting, the Board will take up this topic.

Review and Approve Minutes for April 2, 2025 Meeting

MOTION to approve minutes with clerical corrections.

Motion:  Ann Neuburg; second Larry DeBlois

Vote:  unanimous

Next Meeting

May 7, 2025 – meeting at 7:30 PM

Meeting adjourned

approximately 9:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted

John Mirick

Documents Reviewed

• Working drafts of site plan, floor plan, and renderings for public safety building
• Photographs and assessors’ map of 9 Ball Hill Road
• Minutes for 4/2/25 meeting