Hello and welcome to the Tuesday, March 24th, 2026 meeting of the air planning board. This meeting hearing of the air planning board will be held in person at the location provided on this notice. Members of the public are welcome to attend this inerson meeting. Please note that while an option for remote
attendance andor participation via Zoom is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting hearing will not be suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast unless otherwise required by law. Members of the public with a particular interest in a specific item on this
agenda should make plans for inperson versus virtual attendance accordingly. This meeting will be live on Zoom. The public may access the proceedings by joining Zoom meeting ID 978-772-8220 or by calling 9292056099. For additional information about remote
participation, please contact Danny Ruiz, town planner at druisair.mma. us or 9787728220 extension 144 prior to the meeting. First order of business is to approve the agenda.
I have a motion. >> So moved. Do >> I have a second? >> Second. >> Any discussion or amendments? Hearing none. Ken, how do you vote? >> I. >> Kathleen, >> yes. >> Nathan, >> I. >> Julie? >> Yes. >> Chair votes I. The agenda is approved.
Our first item of business is uh the senior center lot. Can uh if you would be so kind, Danny, explain what this is about and what we are what we are what we're doing today with this. >> Yes. Um so
um off Bishop Road Senior Center lot. This is the um so uh this is the 75 acre lot that the DBW owns off of Bishop Road or McFersonson Road. Um the uh
there is a lot one that's going to be created that's 3.36 acres. It com um conforms with all of our zoning requirements for the general residence um uh zone. The um this is where the senior center will be uh situated on the
lot. >> Um and so yeah, this project complies with all of our zoning and it's a buildable lot. Um, it's kind of really >> I think the one question is why? >> Well, I think that's just want to ask
why are they carving out that this this lot from the larger property? >> I would turn that over to >> Why are they cutting? >> Yeah. So, you know, I know it's just wanted on the record. >> Basically, we created a lot that is equal to the size of the land that we need to develop the site. So the lot
size is based on the fact that the engineers have worked on the size of the lot, the size of the parking, the size of detention systems, the entire process, septic systems. And that's the minimum. That's basically we tried to build separate a lot that is equivalent to the smallest result that we could get
but still fit the whole project on that. You may remember that the town researched I don't know 50 odd lots of town that pieces of property that would own by the town in the process and ended up with the property at the DPW. This particular piece as Ian points out is it
started like 76 and a half acres. So this is a front corner. Yep. >> As close as we can get it to uh you know Park Street basically >> and as Danny pointed out it conforms with the requirements of the approval not required plan. And by eliminating to
a lot, it makes it easier for deliberations because we're only concerned with this portion. We don't have that the discussions of the senior center don't have to involve the other 70 plus acres. >> Correct. >> Okay, >> great. Um,
>> my colleagues questions or comments? >> Nathan, do you want to go or >> Oh, no. >> Uh, I was wondering why why is anyone from the senior center here? Well, I'm on that same committee, but because this process is simply the ANR process, we don't need to make a present a formal
presentation at this point. >> Okay. So, cuz my next question was going to be like it's just the square box. So, I don't know where the building or something. >> You're saying it doesn't matter. >> Yeah. So, this is the ANR plan. So, the
the land the the building does none of that matters. This is only for does the lot this the lot conform to zoning. That's all and that's all this is. >> Okay. >> And it has the necessary frontage and all the things that would be required. Yes indeed.
>> There there is one important part to this. Without this process we couldn't put the site plan application in later which will show the entire site development and whatot and what's required. So we need to break the lot off first.
>> Okay. It creates a lot that we're going to work on. >> Yeah. >> Good. >> And just noting here that it does >> the plan does give the town of air as the owner of record. >> Can we open up public comment?
>> All right. Uh since I'm hearing no further questions or comments from board members, I'd like to open up for public comments starting with the room first. Any questions or comments from the room? Hearing none, I'm going to turn to the screen. I see Pauline stand up. Yes, Pauline.
>> Mr. Chair, just what Sorry, Mr. Chair, just one comment. If the members could speak to the microphone, >> I did not hear Kathleen's first question, which is not really important, but you all need to try to remember we're out here.
>> Okay. >> Do you have a question related to the uh content? >> I do not. I just want you all to speak so we all hear you out here. >> Wait a second though. I don't think do those microphones go to >> Yeah, I'll I'll clarify this right here
is where the um the zoom is picked up. So >> if when we're speaking if we just project and speak a little louder simply be recorded. >> These are the recordings for the for that's for the >> we're going to blow Barry's ears out if we're like yelling into this. So
>> you don't need to yell into these. It's just >> you want me to repeat that question? >> No. No, >> no, no. Okay, >> chair. >> Thank you, Danny. >> Yep. >> All right. Anyone else? Um, I don't see anybody else. >> All right. >> Well, I I'll make a motion then that we
endorse the ANR for the senior center lot off Bishop Road, map 25, parcel 23. >> Seconded. >> Any further discussion? Hearing none. Ken, >> do I have to abstain? >> No. >> I. >> Kathleen,
>> yes. Nathan I >> Julie >> yes chair >> votes eye and our plan is approved. >> When do you want to sign this? >> I have it right here. We can sign it at the end because everyone here is we're we're not in a rush to get out of here for that. >> So our our next item is 12 Willow Road.
I believe we have some representation. Yes sir. >> Come on up. I >> I can >> just give you a quick >> let So just let these gentlemen identify themselves for the record. >> Uh good evening. For the record, Jim Bil Goldmith Press and Ringle have
>> GPR. All right. Hello, gentlemen and welcome. >> And it will uh so the way this will work is uh Daniel bring us up to date. We'll turn it over to you to fill in anything that may needs to be filled. Then we'll have a discussion about the um
modification before us, etc. Um so uh I believe a couple weeks ago um actually at one of our land use meetings um uh Limhot had proposed had brought this up to me about a modification. Uh so I told
him to email me with all the information. Um we discussed with Mike kind of went back and forth and we um got to the point where we determined that it was a minor modification. But the one problem with that was that the
way it's spelled out in the um bylaw is that it specifically must be approved by the planning board. >> Okay. >> So, what I didn't want to do was >> take that from the planning board. That's your authority. Um and the specific section that I'm talking about
is under section 9.24A. So it specifically says the landscaping shall consist of grass, shrubs or trees or a combination thereof as determined by the planning board and shall comply with the following requirements. And the
specific section under that that we're talking about here is industrial uses shall be separated from an abuing residential district or abuing residential use by a landscape buffer of at least 50 feet width along the full length of the abuing lot line. So, um,
with this, uh, let me just get the plan up. So, the area that we're talking about here is along the um, >> which page is that? >> That is a C51.
So along the southernly portion of the site back here, right up here is the Willow um condominium complex. So this line right here, right up here would be the uh 25 ft of um is 25 ft and
then 50 ft would be kind of closer up to here. Um, originally they were already clearing into this area, >> but they have to now clear a little bit further in. So, they're pushing even deeper into that 50 foot.
>> So, they have a plan proposed and they can explain why they need to do this. Um, but um that's kind of why we're here. >> Excellent. >> Thanks, Danny. Um yeah so uh ultimately um this um modification we feel that it
does offer several improvements. Um the uh kind of reason we are requesting the modification is um as we're preparing for construction, we realize that this area as approved is um it would introduce some um complexities that
could be avoided if we do the modification which would include um regrading the hillside to have more uniform slope and also better stabilized. This would also create a uh a wider area at the bottom of the slope
which would give a more gentle um storm water pathway around the building the storm water. But this also would give a area for nine hardier large trees to be installed. Um it would give a improved
screening value. So, nine trees as opposed to some of the uh smaller trees that might be removed along the hillside. We think that uh those would provide some superior screening value. >> Do you anticipate that the crowns of
these trees would make a almost continuous mass as the screen would across the N? I mean, not immediately as you plant them, but as they grow. as they grow. They are intended to be larger trees that would, you know, kind of get up there and be an improvement of >> Yeah. Those should pick pin oaks, which
is, I think, a good choice. >> They were chosen for that for that purpose, >> right? They have a nice crown. >> Y >> and they're durable. >> Oh, it's a straight up. >> You got a picture of a pin oak someplace? >> Pull one up.
>> I I can pull one up, too, if we need it. >> So, I have another question. >> They don't go this way. So with the slope, as you're doing the slope, what's stabilizing the slope after you've you you've set the um angles that you want in the So what's what's going to hold?
Is it grass, shrub? I mean, what or just tell me a little bit more about that. >> So we use like an erosion blanket that >> Yeah, we're going to for once the grading is done, uh we're going to install in coconut matting for as erosion blanket over it. Okay. And then
it's just seating over that >> and then nature will take take it from there. Right. >> Yep. The the matting will will essentially give it give it time for the uh the seed to kind of take place and establish itself so that we don't have you know sand >> right. You don't want to come off or gullies down.
>> And you know this this section or this area in particular uh I don't know you guys remember doing sidewalk itself. >> This is the section of the hillside where you have like a peak almost kind of sticking out. >> Um you know obviously once you start
digging into this area a little bit all that is going to come down anyway. So it makes the most sense to kind of address it here and now just so that any trees that we're taking out, we're actually putting back a better tree. >> Yeah, it is a better tree. >> So
my only concern that I that I am thinking of is once the you know these these trees up here as you know a lot of the lower stuff is kind of dead. You can't you can kind of see through. My fear is this once this gets cleared out
because these trees aren't going to be tall enough yet, >> you're going to kind of see right through. So, do you think that maybe some bushes or some something could should be planting in this area as
maybe some arborites or something that will at least kind of screen the meat in the meantime? >> I don't. >> Or do you not think that that'll be an issue? I don't think it's uh I don't think it's realistic because the the grading itself is going to be close to the existing grade of that hillside
which is two to one slope. Okay. >> Um you know we can we can condition it so that the the the seating that we're throwing down there are um you know something that's going to grow faster. >> Okay. Um, you know, we'll have to check
with the landscape architect to see what he would recommend, but I know that there are some seed seating uh seed mix that would take place take root pretty quick and, you know, hold pretty well for long-term stabilization. >> Okay. >> So, that'll be that'll be the the only
real realistic kind of path to screening. >> Okay. >> Um, so your presentation's about you guys good? Yes, >> Nathan. >> Um, it's a little slow on the uptake. So, if if I'm going to ask some for some
review, uh, again, the reason why this change is coming is because as you excavate the this this gravel drain here, you found that you're going to be digging in. Is that digging into the hillside? And so,
>> uh, not quite. So the whole reason well um we we gotten some bid back from contractor to to install this building doing side work and all that. the way that this building is currently set up,
in order to try to maintain the existing grade, you know, the peak sticking out, um you would you would need to install in uh shorings uh to pour the foundation itself. So, you know, you're talking about dropping
piles into the hillside to get that established and then putting in form and then bore and all that. all that stabilization work is going to be very uh expensive and also probably I don't think that the neighbor
would appreciate the uh you know the the hours and hours of pounding piles into the ground um noise disturbance. Um so it it doesn't make sense to try to go that route. So it makes a lot of sense in the world to try to ask for
modification to to shave down the hillside just so that we can actually stabilize this area because we know that a lot of these smaller trees are not going to make it through construction. So, might as well take the time to address those now and plant new trees.
And that's kind of the whole point of of this request. >> Okay. >> It it it eliminates um it simplifies the construction process, but at the same time, it gives the neighbor and the uh the owner better screening value to the
hillside. So, and then I might have an old bylaw here. You said Danny, it was a 50 foot >> 50 foot buffer uh against commercial between commercial and residential. >> Industrial.
>> Industrial and residential. >> And does it say somewhere that the plane boards and what just >> and we're being asked to reduce that to 50 ft or no?
Well, so what what's being asked is what so basically what it says is >> you if you cut into that you just it has to be landscaped and the landscape this is where you the board comes in of determining whether the landscaping
that's being proposed is sufficient to um be counted as that u that uh uh landscape offer. >> Okay. So there still is a 50 50 foot >> I see the 50 foot line is right where the building is. >> The new building >> this is the new addition
>> correct? >> Right. >> Yes. >> Right. Right along that almost the addition is the 50ft line. >> Yes. >> Okay. So we're not changing the 50ft landscaping. We're not and I don't think we have the >> the previous uh limit of of work the way
you guys had proposed it was um was right in right along here I believe was like right in this area. >> So it it it's more of a to supplement this additional cut that they're doing. Okay. >> And then the drawing has the submitted
plans have other exits and changes. Are we going to go through those as well? Like up in the parking lot is that am I not seeing changes that are out? >> No, it's all the modifications are generally just to the south of the >> building.
If there was any changes, it would have just been I don't think there were any changes that came out of conservation, right? >> Definitely not. >> No. >> Okay. So, on page C41, this is Am I misinterpreting what what
>> it's a demolition plan? I think that has been the original plan. >> Okay. This is >> Oh, yeah. These are all the trees that are going to be removed. These are some of the trees that are going to be that are remaining. >> Yeah. >> And that was all in the prior >> Y. Got it. Thank you.
>> Any further questions or comments in the Yes, Kathleen. Um I guess through the chair I didn't understand the explanation as to why the arborites were not a good idea. Can you go over that again? >> Um well it's more of whether or not it
would survive. Um you have a hillside that is 2:1 slope coming down. If we were to try to plant something that's bigger, um even a shrub, it might not survive the uh hillside condition. Um especially not knowing what the
subsurface is like once you cut into it. Um it could be, you know, boulders, a ledge down there, who knows? Um it just seems more appropriate to provide seeding that will take root.
And when you say seeding um like I'm imagining like short grass is that >> No, not quite because you can always call you have grass seed but you also have wildflower mix um stuff like that
that you know kind of put together for a purpose. >> Okay. >> To through the chit do we say caliber and or height on these pin oaks? five to six, whatever the size is that you're specifying.
>> I believe under the landscaping plan, it does specify the diameter of two and a half to three and a half inch for height, >> which typically is a uh 6 to 8 to 10 foot. >> Yeah, typically >> cuz anything above 2 and 1/2 is that's
typically what you're getting. One and a half to two and 1/2 is typically 6 to 8 in. It's six 6 to 8 foot. >> Um >> where do we see it? >> Sorry. 6 to 8 foot. >> So, uh, when when they're talking about a caliper, so if it's a 1 and 1/2 in to
2 and 1/2 in, it's typically 6 to 8 ft in height. >> Okay. >> And then when it's a 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 is typically 8 to 10 ft in height. >> Okay. >> The calipers the thickness of the um I don't see actually the landscape plants
not actually in here. >> Oh, >> no landscape. >> No. Yeah, these are these are dated August 25th. >> Yeah, this one doesn't actually have the landscape plan. Is that the one that was submitted with um conservation?
>> No, it should have been submitted as part of this. Um >> nope. No, no landscape plan here. Unless I'm just missing something. No. >> Okay. >> There's just the detail that you call out your pin oak. Yeah.
>> Um, so we would just need obviously whatever table the >> the table we we have it uh I apologize we didn't submit it as part of this but we can we can provide that but the >> the caliber size um is the same because I think prior to this request we also
had three or four pinlets already being proposed. So we're just kind of adding on to the uh the number of trees. >> Yeah. Can you go to uh oh never mind. Okay. just got them. >> Um, just a clarification. So, was the the seating was that part of the
original plan because the document that we have just says nine large and hardy trees. >> So, if you go um actually on the on here it says uh install erosion blanket and proposed two to one slope area. Um,
>> so that's the area that they're talking about would be seated, but I agree that it's not fully called out on there. >> Oh, yeah. My my question is like what is the minor modification uh that you're making these changes and you're putting in just nine trees or
that you're putting in just nine trees and seating? Do do you know what I mean? >> Because as written it just says the nine trees. >> Understood. Um the the seating would have to be conditioned in as part of the uh modification approval. Um, you know, when you put that erosion blanket, we
didn't really anticipate about uh a specific type of seed for this area. Um, it was always intended to be just grass seed similar to the rest of the area that we're going to serve. >> I mean, so then I guess it would be my, you know, n equals one opinion that the
seating be part of the plan. >> I agree with the specifically that like larger wildflower seating. >> Yeah, I agree. So you're going to specify what the seed mix is that you it's there's a slope mix. There's a bunch of different ways of doing it. >> Yeah.
>> You'll tell us and we'll put it in the condition >> and yeah and ultimately condition is the way to go because I I I don't know what the the landscape architect would want. So I'll leave it up to him. But once we get that specified, we'll just give you guys an updated plan with
>> And so what I think we could do is if we say that the um seating that would be used on the slope would be something that grows high some sort of because that's that's the point that I think Kathleen's trying to make here is we want some sort of a
grass that's going to grow. >> I mean that's that's my opinion. I I I'm in agreement with you because I'm thinking about just what trees are going to get cut and then the low area where those trees are kind of already dead versus how high those tree. So it's just
something to add additional buffer um just helps. >> So the original landscape plan undoubtedly has that seed mix somewhere on it as well for the rest of the lawn disturbed areas in the site. for instance where the pin oaks are going to
be planted. So >> yeah, so I think the um the landscaping plan call for any disturbed areas have a uh native slope mix for disturbed areas. So I think >> yeah in the previously approved plan set it does have one but uh it would be
updated on there just yeah. >> Okay. So, we would just need the updated landscape plan to show these additional trees, which I know I'm it does show it, but also calling out in this area the U mix that would um at least grow somewhat
tall. >> Would the board be agreeable to having that as a condition for Danny as a representative of the board to kind of review that mix? >> Okay. >> Absolutely. We're talking about this being installed
a long time from now. So, yeah, there's plenty plenty of time to double check that. >> Yeah. >> Okay, great. >> I I just want to clarify the drawing we have here. See, this drawing set is the date wrong on on
this modification with the 10 oaks called out. >> The revision date is 21926. >> The last revision. >> Okay. Okay. So, that's how we date this drawing package. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. The re we we base it off of the
revision date here. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Anything else from my uh board colleagues? >> Going to open up for public comment. Any questions or comments from the room? Hearing none. Any questions or comments
from Zoom? >> Danny, what are next steps for this? I have nothing. >> Um, so what the board can do would be, uh, because this is a minor, so the way I it would typically be done is, you know, I
would do kind of like a a minor amendment letter. >> Yeah. >> Um, write it out how I typically do it. Um cuz typically the way I would I do it is I have a letter talks about what was changed, what was um considered minor in
the diff in the plan reference dates and whatever condition you know would is necessary. So I would basically just write out that that letter showing uh stating that this is the um this is the date of the new plans that
we're going to do. The minor modification was to um add these landscaping um landscape trees in the pinotes and to uh grade within the 50 foot um but that they're going to add the slope um so the board could uh vote tonight.
>> We can vote tonight. >> Yes. Yeah. Because this is a minor and this is a uh public meeting. So um it's the board can make that vote. I can issue the letter. I can send it to the board and for the board to review if the board would like that and then I can
have it issued to um uh GPR. >> Great. Then I will make a motion to approve the minor modification for 12 Willow Road map 23 parcel 26. >> Seconded. >> Any further discussion? >> Yes. >> Yes, Nathan. >> Oh, >> yes. Sorry. I'm just going to clarify
that that will have the condition. >> Yes. >> Okay. I I think it's just interesting and that to underscore this for the public that a minor my understanding correct me if I'm wrong a minor modification is usually just an
administrative task that that Danny would handle >> correct because of what you explained earlier that there's a landscaping clause in 942A it's it's raised it up to this unique level and that's that's
Interesting. Yeah. >> Well, thank you for the Yeah, thank you for the clarification. >> I got a second, right? >> Yes, >> I did it. >> Yes. Yes, Julie. >> All right. So, uh Ken, how do you vote? >> Hi, >> Kathleen. >> Yes. >> Nathan, >> I. >> Julie? >> Yes. >> Chair votes? I
>> approve. We look forward to the letter. >> Good luck. Thank you very much for your time. >> Good evening. >> All right. We have before us 63 Main Street. We have representative. Oh, there they are. >> Are those lights flicking or is that me?
>> What? >> The lights are flickering once in a while. You guys see them flicking? >> No. >> Didn't catch that. >> His screen went black and white. >> The screen flickering. That's That's a drastic change. >> No, it went from dark to from light to dark. Yeah. No, that's that screen. So,
uh, I'm going to let the two gentlemen introduce themselves, then I'll turn it over to Danny to tell us where we are, and then we'll probably come back to you. So, if you just remind us who we are. >> Robert Giro of 53rd Street Air. >> Welcome, Robert. >> Uh, Dilmore 85.
>> Welcome. So, where are we with this? >> Yes. So, um, at the last meeting, um, the board reviewed all the modifi all of the, um, revisions and the, um, comments. Um, we we said that we would work on I would work on a decision to get that out
to the uh board and to the applicant for review. Um, there are a couple of spee um big um just so that we can kind of get to those first. >> I I also noticed on page three number
six draft parking agreement dated October 1st 2025 is highlighted in yellow. Does that require something special for us today? >> No. So that's one of my conditions was um so there's three uh three conditions that I added in. So prior to start starting
work, the applicant shall provide a proposed method of roof draining to drainage to the public. Actually, no, that was already on there. >> It's already on their comments. >> Y that was one. >> I assume you want the signed parking agreement. Correct. Because I gave you like the draft copy. Yes. So we have a
hard copy that's signed. So we'll we'll get that over to you. >> Yeah. So that's one of my um one of my uh special conditions. Prior to start work um starting work, the applicant shall submit the final execution parking agreement. >> Right. That's the eighth one eighth special.
>> And so that condition so that agreement is the same exact one as we uh was used with three to five heart street because it's the same um uh u agreement p. It's a depot square. >> Same >> right there. same owner. So, it's the
same execute, same um agreement. Um different amount of spaces, but uh or six spaces. >> We have six. >> Yeah. So, it's actually the same amount of spaces. So, everything is just about exactly the same. >> Um the uh other condition I put on there
was prior to start of site work, starting site work, the applicant shall submit revised land shown the correct address on the zoning table and the parking requirements. Um because the parking requirements still show >> they still show like one for one or something. >> Yeah. When it's when we change it to
half a parking space. >> Yep. >> So um >> I mean we're going to go back to the assuming approval happens. We'll going to go back to them for the permit set anyways. We'll have everything put together and we'll get all that over to you once. Yeah. >> Okay. Perfect. Um, so yeah, those were
those were the special conditions that were added in, but we can go through all the special conditions right now so that um um we uh so that everyone knows what these special conditions are. >> Did you want to do that first or the uh motions for special permanent inclusionary housing? >> Why don't we do the uh special
conditions first just because we were we're already on them? >> So um I don't mind reading. Do you do >> Okay. Yeah. So uh as usual we have the 36 standard conditions, the ones that we always have. And so the special conditions read thusly. So number one is that one dwelling unit will be
restricted to allow for occupancy by individuals meeting the requirements for affordable housing. The applicant shall work with community development to develop the appropriate restriction which shall be recorded. Number two, the one affordable unit shall qualify for the Massachusetts LIP Lau designation
through the executive office of housing and livable communities. An application for one LA unit shall be LA AU unit shall be submitted to EOHLC prior to building permits being granted. Three, the one affordable unit shall be and
remained affordable in perpetuity and shall be marketed to eligible households whose annual income may not exceed 80% of the area medium income adjusted for household size as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urb and Urban Development and subject to approval by EOHLC.
The affordable unit shall be eligible to be included in the town's subsidized housing inventory as maintained by the EOHLC. Number four, prior to starting work, a traffic management and construction work zone shall be provided to the town planner, police department, fire department, and public works department
for approval. These plans shall include construction work zone limits, construction signage, construction barricades including types of locations, proposed trucking routes to the site, proposed trash removal method, and parking locations for construction and delivery vehicles. Number five, in the
event that any shared parking arrangement approved here is discontinued or any associated conditions change such as but not limited to any change in the use of such properties to a greater category of parking demand. The applicant shall notify the special permit granting authority within 15 days. It shall be
the applicant's responsibility to comply with all applicable provisions of the subsection 320-9.1 within 60 days of the date of no notification to the special permit granting authority or the date on which such notification should have occurred or to request an amendment to the special permit in order to provide for
an alternative shared parking arrangement. Number six, prior to starting work, applicant shall provide proposed method of roof roof drainage to the public works department for approval. Number seven, uh, prior to starting site work, applicants shall submit revised plan showing the correct address on the
zoning table and parking requirements as Danny had mentioned earlier. And again, as Danny had mentioned, number eight, prior to starting site work, applicants shall submit a final executed parking agreement. Good. Now, >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, sir.
>> Um, could I just get a clarification on number five? I was going to say five. >> Thanks. >> Okay. Yes. Can you um just for my clarity special permit granting authority is the air planning board. >> I do believe that is us
>> for the shared park for the shared parking it is uh the planning board. >> So to put this in plain language if the parking arrangement changes the applicant or the owner some whoever
is going to come back to the plane. Thank you. specifically with this project because they have no parking on site, >> they would then not be in in you know in compliance. So >> this one would be a
>> a big one whereas in when 3 to 5 Park Street they had the four parking spaces underneath. >> So it was one of those ones where they still had parking there. They could probably do something on there but with this site it it's a much bigger one.
>> Shall we read the findings for the record? >> Yes. >> Okay. So uh section five beginning on page three as the findings and they read as such. Number one, the site plan contains a design that has provided the foundation for the air planning board to determine that the requirements, standards and guidelines of the town of
air site plan regulation subsection 320-3.5.4 of the air zoning bylaws have been met in a satisfactory manner. Number two, the air planning board has determined that the proposed use will not outweigh its beneficial impacts to the town or neighborhood in view the specific factors within the special permit
criteria numbered 1 through six as listed in subsection 320-3.4B of the Arizona bylaws. Number three, the air planning board has determined that the proposed shared parking agreement complies with the requirements set forth in section 9.1.5D
1-5. Number four, the applicant is complying with the requirement of the inclusionary housing bylaw 10.3.3 and providing at least 10% of the dwelling units as affordable housing. In this occasion, the applicant is providing one residential unit that will comply as
affordable and deed restricted. Finally, number five, the project site consists of partial ID 26-120 containing approximately more or less 4,171 square feet or 10 uh10 acres. The property is located within the downtown
park street formbbased code. The property is currently a vacant paved lot. The existing paved lot will be removed and the mixeduse building will be built consisting of four floors with 11 residential apartments and one new retail office space on the first floor.
Now, in what order shall we go through with the uh do we uh open for comment before we go to votes? So, first I want to I want to address the co my colleagues first >> on the table if there's any further questions or comments from my colleagues. >> We don't vote on the findings separately. >> Nope. No. As you vote on the decision,
you >> automatically incorporates the findings. >> Yes. >> I just curious. >> Did you have a comment, Kathy? >> Uh question. Yes. >> Um for the affordable unit. So, my understanding is that everything in this building is is rental, right? Mhm.
>> Um, do you have a sense of what unit that because I think you have a mix of two bedroom and one bedroom. >> It's probably going to be on the first floor just for to uh expand to an accessible >> if someone that need you know has wheelchair or whatever they can also use that unit.
>> I do have a question. >> Kathy is that >> does that answer your question? I'm sorry. >> Yeah. So, I was going to ask if it I don't know. Is there a designation of an accessible affordable unit? Like, is is that even a thing? It just
seems like it would be a valuable asset to the town to have an affordable unit that is also accessible to someone. But I I don't think that's I think that's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. That's what he's got to do. >> I mean, this Yeah, >> this is what um so 14 Washington Street
did the same thing. They agreed to um do >> uh that the the unit on the right hand side, the new the new side, they were going to make that also a wheelchair accessible and the affordable unit so that it could be both, >> right? But we don't need to in that
section call that out explicit. Like that's what I'm saying. There's no designation of accessible affordable. It's just >> No, that's something he can work out. >> I figured I'd work whoever handles that with the town just like, "Hey, what is the best use here?" Yeah. >> I mean, if you if you told me it was on
the two-bedroom on the second floor, I would do that, you know. >> So, what I would suggest is uh do what 14 Washington Street did and just go to the affordable housing committee. Yeah. >> And you could work with you can come present to them just tell them what your
idea is and they um they could also help with that. Right. As of right now, our um person who uh Alicia retired. So the um so right now Ry is kind of is in charge. So um handling that. >> Um the new person doesn't start and I
don't think until beginning of April. So and I I don't suspect you guys are going to be, you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I can get we can we can um work something out. I have to get in contact with Ray and uh we can get that moving along. >> Perfect. >> Okay. So, just thanks for bringing up
that question. Um, my opinion would be that if there's no elevator in the building, it would have to be on the first floor. >> If it was if we wanted to offer that unit to an accessible person. >> Exactly. So, that's pretty simple. Did this board address the fact that the
units are below the minimum square foot? >> Uh, yes. So, um, thank you. >> That actually came Yes. My apologies. That actually came in and the letter request came in and it's they are requesting that the planning board
use their authority under section 10.3. Um let me just get to >> Okay, so we have a requested. >> Yep. And it's and so I will show you one second. All right. So um the applicant has uh
submitted this letter. Um, so I'm respectfully requesting that the planning board exercise authority to allow construction of the new multif family units at 63 Main Street to meet the target unit size um, sizes referenced in section 4B of
the design guideline for unit layout interior dimensions dated April 2022. Um, the proposed development has been thoroughly uh thoughtfully designed to align with the intent of the town's guidelines while also responding to the physical constraints of the site and the
existing built um environment. The unit layouts have been carefully configured to maximize functionality, livability and efficiency while st still maintaining the consistency with the character and scale of the surrounding area. Strict adherence to the dimensional requirements without flexibility would present practical
limitations to the uh limitations that could comp comprise the overall design, quality, and feasibility of the project. By allowing the proposed unit sizes, the planning board would enable a well-balanced development that supports housing production goals while maintaining high
quality living standards. I believe the proposed units are consistent with the spirit and intent of the design guidelines and will contribute positively to the town's housing stock and downtown vitality. the I respectfully request that the planning board's consideration and approval of this request. I'm happy to provide
information and clarification as needed. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Robert Dapiro. >> So, um let me just walk you through when we um modified. >> So, that's Did you sign that before you sent it in or you just sent it
electronically? >> No, I sent it email electronically to him. I mean, I can sign it if I need. >> He sent it electronically. I know it came from him. So we have to make a waiver on that or >> Yeah. So you're gonna It's not a waiver. >> Okay. You're gonna vote the design guidelines. >> Yeah. Yeah. So what you're going to do
is it's going to vote to um use your authority under section 10.3. Let me just get to that section. housing. So under section 10.34 general provisions uh the planning board shall
have the authority to allow new construction of the multif family housing under 320 um 10.3 of the air zone and bylaws to allow the construction of new units to meet the target units size sizes referenced in section 4B design guidelines units
layouts interior dimensions stated uh April 2022. So the way I have it in here in the decision um under number three under the inclusionary housing I have a separate vote. >> Gotcha.
>> Um it's the motion for your for you guys to um use that >> number three. Okay. >> Correct. >> I understand that. >> Where what who are we looking again >> under uh under number three? under on page two number three.
>> Okay. Okay. >> So, that'll be a >> So, the the I know we did these design guidelines in the past. I remember going through the whole thing. >> Do you want me to pull them up? >> I just wanted you to show where they're referenced. Yeah, they're separately referenced somewhere, right? >> Yep. On the website, we have
>> That's what I thought. Yeah. >> So, if you go on our planning board website, um right here, right at the top, important documents. Yep. Got it. So, can uh on this topic, can you also just bring up the site plan and show the
dimensions the the square footage of the >> the square footage of the units? >> Yep. >> Little plan. >> Yeah. And so this is for the the um studios and the onebedrooms. >> Mhm. >> The two is okay anyway.
>> Correct. Yep. >> Um just here. So um the uh so here's unit four. That's 5 140 ft.
Um, unit 3 is 714. So, those are under the um, under section 6.3, we have the 750 minimum requirement, but that's why we built in into the inclusionary housing bylaw that uh, the authority for the planning board to do that under the
inclusionary housing. So um these units based on their square footage are in the area of what um the unit target sizes are within our design guidelines. Um and so the board does have the authority to
where um to you to allow that if these numbers were drastically larger um from what the unit from um what is allowed within the unit target sizes. It specifically says that it should be within um a range. it shouldn't be too big. If it's too big, then they would
deem it as not affordable. And there's a whole other list of things that um they would deem it as. So that's why those target sizes are where you want to want to be in that area. >> Any further questions or comments from my board? >> Yes.
>> You're done. >> Okay. Um, so it's interesting the inclusionary by bylaw section rules over this application
because there there because it's more than four or five units. Five. Five. Because it's more than it's five or more. Yep. And the balance of the units are in a
reasonable size. Is that what I understand you just to say >> it? So basically the studios and the um and the onebedrooms are within the range that we are looking for target size for affordable units. So the the applicant could have put a penthouse on the top
and just filled the whole top and then would still be uh we would we'd still only be focused on the studios and >> understand. Thank you. >> It's only the units that are under that 750 that we're talking about. >> So can you do me a favor instead of go
back to that design guidelines but open it just we'll just scan it. Y >> okay I just want to show you the depth of that thing. >> Yeah. >> The puffs. We're not we're not going to go through it. I just want to we'll highlight that this is the u >> I'm it automatically opened up to where
I was looking at which is the target sizes. >> Amazing. >> But there's a lot of >> content in this that >> follows the state requirements and thoughts about >> we should have a design guideline when anyone comes in and builds under the affordable housing.
>> Quite an extensive information. >> It talks about everything you can imagine. >> Yeah. >> That was a good piece of work. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. >> One more follow-ups, Mr. Chair. Is then who is the authority
or I I'll lead it. Is the building commissioner the authority to uh agree to affirm that the applicant's design has met the guidelines. I >> think we're doing it right now. >> That that's the planning. >> It's the planning course.
>> Yeah. Because you are the ones who enforce the inclusionary housing. Okay. Thank you. >> Anything else? My colleagues like to open us up for public comment starting with the room. Any questions or comments?
>> Hearing none like to turn it to the anyone on Zoom have questions or comments related to this project 63. >> I don't have anything on anything. >> Okay. So, um, can you tell us what order to do the votes thing?
>> Yeah. So, we'll do the, um, site plan, then we'll go to special permit, we'll do the inclusionary housing, and then we'll close the public vote on the close on the public hearing. >> Okay. And if I could get this right, the special conditions are numbered 1 through eight, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. So, I'd like to make a
motion for approval of the site plan uh for 63 Main Street pursuant to subsection 320-3.5 site plan review of air zoning bylaws subject to the standard standard conditions 1 through 36 and our special conditions numbered 1
through eight in this decision. >> Seconded. >> Seconded. Any further discussion? Hearing none. Pen >> I. >> Kathleen, >> yes. >> Nathan, >> I. >> Julie, >> yes. >> Chair votes I.
>> Special permit. Next. >> I'd like to make a motion for the approval of special permit under section 9.1.5. D shared parking pursuant to subsection 320-3.4. Special permit of air zoning bylaw subject to the standard conditions 1
through 36 and special conditions number through 1 through8 in this decision. >> Seconded. Any discussion hearing? None. Ken, >> yes. >> Kathleen, >> yes. >> Nathan, >> I. >> Julie, >> yes. >> Chair votes I. >> And finally, section three, uh, the
inclusionary housing. Uh, I'd like to make a motion to use the authority under section 10.3.4D.1 4 point D.1 of the air zoning bylaws to allow for the construction of new units to meet the target unit sizes refer referenced in section 4B design guidelines for unit
layouts and interior dimensions dated April 2022 >> seconded >> any further discussion hearing none Ken >> yes >> Kathleen >> um sorry I I wasn't fast enough but the there were just like the typos that you
wanted to fix >> what was that what Oh, you have an extra. It's a motion 4, too. >> Oh, she's got the language is >> motion >> and then probably like target unit sizing. >> That's specifically from the wording.
>> That's their thing. >> Then yes. >> Okay. Kathleen, you just said yes. >> I said yes. >> Okay. Nathan, >> I. >> Julie? >> Yes. >> Chair says I. It's approved. >> Cleaned it up anyways. >> Is there anything? That's it. Is there anything else on this >> motion to
>> I took the motion. Do I have a motion to close this public hearing? >> So move. >> I have a second. >> Second. >> Any further deliberation? Yes. What do you got, Nathan? >> Thank you. >> There you go. >> That's appropriate. Thank you. And congratulations.
>> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Ken, >> yes, >> Kathy. >> Nathan. >> I really >> Yes. >> Chair votes I. It's closed. Congratulations. >> Good luck. >> Appreciate it. Thank you.
There will be >> all the time if we can get to real high quality. >> Okay. >> All right. All right, we have project status updates. Danny's going to lead us through all the the greatest hits.
>> All righty. >> So, um specifically, um update with uh Lincoln Hill. Um, as of right now, based on utility easement, so the blasting is complete within the easement. >> The whole easement part, yep, >> they finished the blasting there.
>> Yep. Within the easement, that's completed. Um, the majority of the hammering and the oversized uh of the oversized um stuff is completed. If more large boulders in the locations um blasts were were if more large
boulders in locations blasts were kept small and pulled out um they will be hammered but uh should be minimal at this point. Work installation is commencing today of the utilities and the easement. I was out there actually today. Heather and I went out there today. Um there was a call. Um we were
out there investigating, but um the the work that's being done in there um uh they're moving along on the easement area. Um Onyx has brought in additional crew to complete the work simultaneously to the work being done in the upper development area. So they have one crew
working in the easement. Um they also have another crew up top. So if you go if you out there, there's there's constant work going on. um a lot of machines up there. So, they're they're really uh chucking away to try to get that done. >> Um upper development area. So, blasting
is expected to uh be completed on or before um next Friday. >> Oh, okay. So, that I was just going to ask you, so on or before >> next Friday. >> So, not this Friday, a week from this Friday. >> Correct. >> April 3rd. >> April 3rd. Um they are currently
drilling and preparing to blast the foundation holes for 1, three, five, and seven atom lane. Um overall cut and fill of the site is progressing. The overall grade of Nicholas Lane is is now visible. This is the largest cut fill
area. Utility work is progressing throughout the site. Drainage and sewer is complete on Nicholas Lane, which is the longest road um roadway in the development. >> That's the straight line. Yeah, that's the that's the straight shot along the uh the open space area.
>> Um the VA parking lot work is expected to commence in the parking lot as soon as the top soil is dry enough. I will let the neighbors know in that in that area know. Um so that's the update right now on Lincoln Hill. >> Thank you. >> Who who is the eye there?
>> Uh that's Janetfield. >> Oh, okay. >> Um so >> I got a couple things. So >> there was a concern I guess we all had you know with the amount of snow >> that there might be runoff or some situation like that. Any news about
that? >> So runoff was there was no issue regarding um runoff. Um they did install an additional sediment um basin down below to handle the additional because of how much snow we got and how much
melt there was so quickly. they prepared by um putting an additional temporary settling basin down below. Okay. >> Um and that accommodated um the additional uh melt that occurred and the rain that's been occurring. Um so no
issues there. Um SWIP's still being conducted. Everything's um being done. No issues. I know Heather did receive an email over the weekend. Um it's not really a Lincoln Hill per se um issue.
It's a overall grunt harbor road issue as well as outside of the erosion control area issue. So there's a catch basin kind of right in front of the property. It's there's a silk sack and so um what's happening is with the rain
as you know all of basically all of um Harvard road kind of that's where it goes. to that last catch basin. >> Um and the um anything that's outside of the erosion control also kind of just um goes that way. So um there was some
concern that there was runoff going off the site. There was not. We uh we did go out there, we inspected it. Um no issues. The what I think may have just happened was because of everything that's coming down >> all those driveways, >> it just it gets carried right into
there. Um, we told them to make sure to look at the silt sack, make sure it stays clean. Um, but no issues. >> Have they coordinated with the town on when they're going to do the work in the Graten Hav Road? >> So, that is a question right now. Um, Janet did reach out to Matt and the DPW.
Um, I they're currently working on the design stuff, so don't know. >> Okay. >> Yes, Katherine. Um, is the crushing um supposed to come to an end quickly after the blasting or do they anticipate doing
that longer? >> So, I can't 100% speak to it. I I would assume once they're done blasting it, there's going to be some crushing after that >> and then once all the crushing is done, you know, the there's no long there
there's not going to be need for the crusher on site unless they're bringing some additional stuff in. But this site was almost net neutral. So most of everything that they have on site was going to be used on site. Um but I can get for the next update on timing on the
crusher, but I think they're nearing its end for now. >> Yeah, I think the concern there was just the noise. >> Yeah, I I mean I the crusher I haven't heard anything regarding the crusher. >> Oh, okay. when they switched up to a smaller crusher. So, I haven't heard
anything, but yeah, I'd like to open a public comment regarding Lincoln Hill first with the room Zoom. Anyone have any comments or questions regarding Lincoln Hill?
>> What else we got, D? >> Um, so Straten Hill, we were out there today. >> Oh, boy. >> Um, >> Paul's hand went up. Did it go up for Lincoln Hills or for >> um Pauline? Is it for Lincoln Hill or is it for Straten Hill?
>> Oh, I I think you're still muted, Pauline. >> Okay. >> All right. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. >> Just Lincoln Hills. >> Okay. Um, I don't even know where to begin, but I
just don't understand why we all the way down here on the other end of Cambridge, Adams, West Main, Newton Street are continuing to
experience the percussion from the blasting at Gruntton Harvard Road. Can somebody explain that? And if you cannot, that's fine. I have asked multiple times for
another meeting with Onyx and A1 Blasting as have others. And for the public record, we have received absolututely no response. So, I just want to put that out there.
I the the dishes in my dishwasher rattled two weeks ago and I notified the fire department. That's just unacceptable. And I know you can't stop, but you know what? I think you all should have given
a lot more consideration to this before you approved anything, which meets the bylaw. I'm not going to go there. But did you give any consideration to the rest of us who have nothing to do with this?
>> Is there do you have a question on top of that? I mean, >> she just asked a question. >> So, you're asking did we ever give any consideration? >> Yeah, I don't think you >> What consideration did you give to those of us who live in this vicinity who are
affected by this? Don't answer that. Don't answer that. Um Pauline, the project was peer-reviewed. The project was um reviewed by all departments. The project is following all of the state
laws and it's um been inspected by the um state by the fire marshal and everything is f is is follow following the law. the best we could.
>> Danny, I appreciate that comment and I'm not opposing that. But all those considerations do not always uh experience what really happens to
those of us affected by this. I should not be feeling this all the way down here on Adam Street. >> Right. >> I don't know. >> I'm not going to say right. I don't know. >> Okay. Right. You're not ex You're not
expect experts. Fair enough. But you should ask your experts. Why are the people all the way down on Adam Street and now Newton Street feeling this impact?
something I I you you don't want to hear what I want to say. I just want to make that comment, a public comment >> because this is crazy. Absolutely crazy.
>> And I'm just so glad I don't live on Graten Harvard Road. Shame on the town of air for allowing this to continue to the extent it has with no consideration for its residents.
Period. That's all I want to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> What else we got? >> Um Straten Hill. So today we were out there on site. Um we uh did a sitewalk, got to see what um
was going on with construction. Um see, as CJ, you know, stated, they intend on hopefully getting up to the intersection and hopefully getting up to um opening up the first four lots up on the
lefthand side um of just before the uh loop goes uphill. Um they are working through MISA to provide us with that um turtle habitat information. >> Um the
uh and then they did provide us the information regarding that um once the project's kind of done, National Grid will not be using that area. Um there's not going to be any access for them.
>> That's pretty big. Yeah, >> the other the other if I may add. >> Yeah. >> Um >> that the water runoff from the snow melt is is being collected even already with our uh
wastewater solutions or storm water solutions. >> Mhm. >> I mean I guess it was pretty evident to all of us that there's a lot of rock up there. >> Yeah. I mean the whole place is basically built on top of ledge as he admitted you know from his
>> I thought it was interesting that he worked it was the son that worked on the same lot 20 years ago. >> Yeah. >> I thought that was pretty interesting. >> It was >> they're not they're not in a big hurry. They're just carefully going along. And I mean I don't we haven't heard much of
anything. >> No. And there's still some additional blasting that they need to do up there. >> Um Do you folks that are closer have anything else to add to the It's pretty calm. >> Oh, they haven't been working there.
>> Yeah, right. >> Um I guess the only update I was going to ask for on Shanton Hill was the pump station. >> Yeah, that would be good. >> I I So that's kind of its own separate project going through the DPW. I can kind of ask ask for an update on that.
>> Yeah, cuz I I think that's the one that folks are really feeling. >> Yeah, the that and the backup generator. I know. Yeah, >> gasoline days. >> Somebody's losing my project. >> Well, I know I know the big thing was the hold up with National Grid, but I
don't know where where they are, >> but there have been people there again, so they don't look like National Grid. >> Oh, um I I did have one thing on on Shratton Hill. Write Road is really bad >> right now, as you've all noticed. >> Yeah, I saw that. >> I had neighbors call me, too.
>> Yeah. And uh I I think it's like a combination of things, but I think there's definitely, you know, the the weather we've been having, but there's definitely a concern that larger trucks driving over those existing
>> holes will make it way worse. I don't know if there's a way to like flag that >> for. I can talk to uh Dan and see maybe there's because of the cold weather there's it's hard to really do anything
right now >> now maybe there's something that can be done >> once the weather warms up a little bit um I can talk to Dan and maybe there's something >> this morning right there's actually you can't even go around you just have to go fully
>> on if you know when they do have those big trucks start coming back through. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Cuz I I think the applicant said they they were going to pay they were going to pay at the end, but this is just kind of like a state and time. >> Yeah. So, that's the thing is maybe
there's some patching that just needs to be done in the meantime. >> Now, whether or not >> they'll be responsible or but >> I'll have Dan contact CJ and, you know, have them work out something. >> That would be
>> Can we go back to Lincoln for a second? Should we as a board be thinking about a site visit to Lincoln House? Scheduling a visit to Lincoln House. >> I would suggest once blasting is done. >> Okay. >> Just because at that point the site will be more graded in a in a way that the
board can actually walk it. Okay. >> Right now, I mean, Heather and I were just up there today and it's it's >> there's just not a lot of >> beehive activity. >> Yeah. It's it's there's a lot going on. There's really not it's not the safest for the board right now. angles and
>> yeah, it's not it's not the safest for the board right now. >> Like Flanders Field. >> Okay, cool. Thank you. >> Um >> um >> 14 Washington maybe. >> So nothing on >> there. So, I did want to update the
board on so ever since, you know, with the change that we did at at town meeting reducing the parking requirement for the residential with these new projects coming on. We have 3 to 5 Park Street. We have 63 Main Street that just got approved and 14 Washington Street
that all just got approved recently. So there's a um there's a fund called the catalyst fund in the state that is for MBTA, you know, uh districts. Since this is our MBTA district, um we uh we have a
land use meeting tomorrow that we're I'm going to be discussing with our land use group about um trying to find some options on where we can use the catalyst fund because the catalyst fund can be used for sidewalk reconstruction, um road reconstruction, utilities, kind of
like a >> infrastructure. >> Yeah. Infrastructure, >> horizontal infrastructure design. So, we have a meeting at land our land use meeting tomorrow um for um uh I'm going
to present that and see where you know what Matt and them think we can do um as to where we can use this because with these three projects that's a lot of some of the requirements are imminent projects now that these are approved we
know that these are moving forward these would be good to find ways to kind of build off off of that like potential sidewalks. That's some of the ideas I have reconstructing abroad. So, these are things that I'm going to be we're going to be discussing tomorrow at land use, but just so that the board knows
that this is something that I'm going to start to try to push with these three projects that just recently got approved. >> Nice. >> Great. >> Just a quick question related to that, but the actual MPTA station in Air is
not owned by Air, correct? No, I No, I believe that's what I'm about to say. >> Yeah. Okay. Cuz I was going to say it. It's It's not accessible. >> So, like if you could have used the Catalyst ones to make it accessible, but like I don't think you can because it's not owned by >> Yeah, we don't own that.
>> Yeah. But I think there's some plan that was out there. It just never been funded that to to look at that whole station. >> Oh, I I don't know. Yeah, they there's a lot of plans that never get built is what I'm getting at, but they they did
review it. I believe it's a big project. Yeah, it's >> who do we figure out owns that now? It's not panam anymore. >> Oh, Wyoming CSX. >> No. Oh, >> it's owned by Wyoming. Um, >> what about Norfick SuffK? Norfick
Southern? >> Yeah. >> Are you sure about that? >> Yeah. Yeah, that we met with them about two years ago when they bought it. >> North it was it's called Wyoming. >> No, it's it's close but not that's not totally >> confused here. Let me >> J.
There we go. That's it. >> Janessia Jese. >> Yeah. So, um it's it's owned by that now. >> Interesting. >> Okay. Uh did you want to talk about CPTC now? >> Yeah. Um CPTC. So, um, on Saturday we
had, uh, the conference for CPTC. Uh, Ken, Jonathan, and I went. >> That would be the citizens planner training collaborative or something like that. >> So, um, each of us, uh, went to some of the same ones, some of the different Some.
>> Yes. So, um, the ones that I went to were, let me just see which ones they were. I forget. So, we had that riveting, huh? Well, the the names of them >> the climate resiliency playbook which is the big one that you know again >> who resiliency
>> what say I'm trying to >> Yes. Yes. So the climate resiliency playbook that was one that Jonathan and I were at it. It was a good one. It was more for sustainability kind of how we in bring that to the town and how we um
integrate that into um the bylaws and stuff like that. So, and master plan. So, uh there's some ideas that uh I'm going to meet with Heather about to kind of work on that
and kind of see where we can take that, what we can use that and and and how we can integrate that into our bias and hopefully, you know, add sustainability into, you know, master plan overall stuff.
Um we did the clean energy projects which all three of us were at three of us. That was a big >> and basically on that one that was kind of like a um the state just passed a law which it will make all clean energy go through
the same portal. Um and so the portal and it's just to expedite the process. So basically, you have 12 months for all boards to get their decisions in. And each of the boards will still have their, you know, governing power and all that stuff, but they'll each issue
decisions. There's a review process that happens before um there's like a site score. There is um uh anything that's under 25 megawws would come to um would go through the normal process. Anything larger than
that would go to EFSB. Um, but typically 25 megawatts is what? How much? Big. >> Yeah, that's big. >> Pretty massive. >> Yes. >> So, so to re to to underline some of the things that Danny say. So, the big thing here, the big thing is the 12 months. >> Yeah.
>> It's 12 months of constructive approval. >> That's the big thing. They really want to push this through. However, all the local boards still retain their authorities. What what's what's what'll be challenging for us as we think about obviously we don't want to take 12 months to deliver it. We want to make sure all the departments everything
comes in say in 10 months because you have to go through the review process. So we have we just have to be sure to build in the appropriate time for any of these clean energy and be cognizant of those steps and and what the requirements are. But on the whole I am actually look at it pretty favorably.
>> You know I think that it accelerates this and it needs to be done. So that was that was a good You may want to clarify that we're basically talking about solar. >> It's mo mostly solar, but there's a new thing. >> Jonathan asked a couple of good questions, but it's primarily solar. >> Yes, solar. And it's also something new
these battery storage things >> and battery storage >> and that's a big one. So, what it's less >> That's interesting. >> They the state is seems to be backing away from wind. They really don't >> just doesn't work. >> 87 finding the locations. It's really
difficult. And so the other clean one it's winding and hydro and hydro no one is just so comp that's a whole another pathway. >> Yeah it's so complicated. So they're really focusing on solar and battery storage >> a little bit of wind. >> Sure.
>> The thing that was obvious was that >> I think we were one of the few in the room that had not had an application regarding battery storage. It's like it's being inundated >> in the same story basically as further west than this. So small towns >> but don't have regulations the same as
solar did the first time around. >> Yeah. >> When solar came out the first time around. If you put anywhere that didn't have a solar >> bylaw, you can put any zone. It's kind of the same concept. And little towns like >> Gil >> Gil Barry. I mean it was >> tiny places.
>> Yeah. >> I I I also took a course in managing contentious meetings. >> That's right. That was excellent. So um I didn't take pills >> that you know I I would say it was it was really you know an hour and a half of common sense and and and I I think
that I mean would you anyone who was participating might agree I think you know it's just about um just first of all the law and we should be aware that frankly the law is such that people are free to say what they want even if the language is
offensive or insulting. However, where you can draw the line is that disruption. So, you can insult, but you can't disrupt. >> Threats are a really gray area that someone and so you have to make a sense.
Is there a real danger or not? So, the the point of it is that >> people can say they have a right to say what they want >> to say. >> As the chair of any board can set time limits and enforce them. what I can't do
I can't enforce civility I can ask for it but I can't enforce it that's what it comes down and then there were some so that was the hard part you know the hard stuff the soft stuff was about you know techniques for deescalation etc >> but that was what that was about
>> do you have the list of the the courses there >> you're looking at >> just asked for us to put on an agenda I've heard us mention we can do time limits frequently and as the person who has people I have to shle around right after this I would love us to actually concretely
decide what a time limit is. Um because we the problem comes is in the night we need them. We're not going to come up with a magic number on the fly and feel confident. >> Good point. >> I could tell you what I can give you some ideas. I think if it's really crowded, three. If it's not so crowded,
five. >> That's my my rule of thumb. >> So like less than 50% of the chairs is going to be or more butts and seats. It's like we're going to talk about 50% of the room is in here crowded. >> Yeah. >> And then right now it's not crowded. >> Yeah.
>> And your 3 minutes is our time. >> No, they get three minutes each for public comment if you know assuming it's crowded and it could be more if it's if it's not crowded. >> Can I just ask now then officially can I be the timekeeper and I when we are crowded just say I'm going to be the one
keeping. can do that and I could say Julie will be watching time and >> so I will offer that in future meetings just >> I like it. >> Yeah, we can lawfully do that. >> Yeah, >> thank you. >> We can do that. >> Were there any other sessions that we did to do that?
>> I took one in the morning regarding housing. The first one I took. >> Yeah. >> And it's fascinating that the speaker came from lives in Harvard >> was like number two in the housing in the state. Chris Cluckman >> and she's the one who gave us the opening comments. We're all in the room.
>> Oh, yeah. Right. Right. >> I took the course with her. >> Um, and that's where we heard that term which we I had never heard before >> which was >> what the >> 40 Y. >> Yes. >> What? >> Chapter 40 Y section. We haven't heard
one that just >> now it's hot. Very hot. >> I It's something that I'm looking into now to see if we can enact that into our zoning. So, we heard about things that, you know, were some new provisions that came in and that there was a big housing bill we all know was passed last fall to
try to encourage, you know, speed up the the construction of new homes around the state. Whether it works or not, we don't know, you know, and the last one I took in the afternoon, which was really good, was there was only about 15 of us in the room, and that was based on what's new
in your community was the title. And I we heard again that that particular group was fascinating. There were probably only three of us like me. The rest were people who actual planners, consultants, people that spoke at the other things. It's like they came into
that to that discussion and everyone came in thinking they were going to learn. It was fascinating. Three consultants said the same thing. >> I came in because I wanted to know if I'm missing something in another community. Is another community doing something? So, it really wasn't there
for that, but it was run by that Judy uh runs everything, Judy Barrett. And it ended up just being a great conversation with everybody and someone there was a professional planner from Carlile sitting right behind me who was the first planner that's ever been hire hired in Carlile. She said they never
had a professional planner. They're trying to do something which we pretty much told is impossible. They're trying to take land out of article 97 for affordable housing in Colorado, which I understood be really hard. Twothirds vote from the but she says they're
trying they're working on it. They've got consultants. They got all kinds of people working on it. So that was fascinating to you. We never even thought of that. Would never think of that. >> That's that's a >> it's so hard. >> It's hard. >> Yeah. So anyway, it was good. >> The last one I had >> I just want a quick related to uh what Ken said. Remember he said that people
attended that to get interesting what's going on in different towns. Yeah. If you are curious about that, you may want to sign up for the mass uh planners list >> because that's where I heard about the battery storage before >> it's come because I could see there was all these conversations in towns of
panic. Well, that's that's the wrong word, but they're concerned. What do we do with it? >> So, if you if if you have an interest like they did at this to say what's going on other towns, >> the list serve is probably the best listening post. Um the last one I had was
um how to get housing where we need it and it was just more of based off of where you should situate housing um future growth and a lot of it was you know downtowns um and to find which you know I know
Nathan is definitely a big proponent of is infill and that was a lot of what we spoke spoke about and up upzoning in our in downtown areas. Um, also the you know this a gentleman did a study from the state looking at the use of land in
Massachusetts and one of the big things that we we learned was um 80% of Massachusetts land lacks access to water sewer system and um not is not in proximity to um transit. 8% of land benefits from both eight uh
both water, sewer, and transit. >> Only 8% >> only 8%. 56 56.4% of Massachusetts housing is on 10% of land that has both water, sewer, and transit. And then 22%
of Massachusetts housing is on 74% of land that has neither. >> Yeah. Well, some of those some of those are some good metrics because you want well >> some people desire >> what was called cluster but but you go
over to to Europe right and it's little villages y >> that are tightly tight-knit communities >> and so those those metrics could you could look at those >> two perspectives >> yep definitely >> one of the things that that was important that came out of the one
what's new in your community was one a consultant who's in central Mass, works out of Worcester, has a project in Leicester. This is we're reading this in the papers around budding our neighboring towns that because of the zoning that was in place years ago with the large acreage, twoacre zoning, threeacre zoning, these towns are now
being pinched financially. They're running out of money. Okay. He said that Lester did a complete master plan. He he did it for Leicester and they're actually going to five stories in places that used to have like one, two, three stories, whatever it is. So towns are
looking at a lot of the things we looked at in the last let's say eight years. >> When you say two to three mean like the lot size for >> minimum lot size in GR is two acres. Minimum lot size in Harvard is like two acres. So the you have a road system
with long frontages and houses those eventually don't carry the weight of the tax burden in the town to cover the schools and everything else. So that's a big change that the consultants are working on all over the place. We've already done it here. >> So if I can
>> I'm sorry. So So what happened was it the old think in the 50s and 60s that is that large lot requirements would soften the financial burdens of towns because the single most expensive thing was school. and they say, "Well,
if you had the two acre lot sizes, you're automatically going to reduce the number of potential students that would go into the school system." Well, it turns out that school school expenses are not linear in the same way that it's not one to one because obviously this
capacity then is more plateau like. And the other thing that they failed to take into account is well if you have only 10 houses on a mile of road versus 50 that means the tax burden is shared by 10 rather than 50. Yeah. For the maintenance of all that infrastructure.
>> Yep. >> So they're realizing towns like Harvard and Graten are really hurting and the towns that have the smaller lot sizes and public infrastructure are doing better. Anything else on the updates? Um, as of right now,
>> I just want to say out of that training, I've gone to that with you guys before and this is the first time I've heard you come back in a long time with new updates and new training and I'm looking forward to the next one cuz that's truly why I stopped going.
>> We did the same exact thing. We all the same thing. We weren't going to go. None of us were going to go. Then we started finding these little odd coursed out there's new stuff. I wasn't going to go until Danny said, "Listen, there's some new stuff here that we haven't covered." >> I'm better. I see. >> I said to me,
>> it was Danny. So, >> so just the audience is wondering. So, you know, usually the same classes year after year. So, many of us have taken all the core courses already. >> Um, so what was different this year is they introduced some new stuff like the lot of that clean energy, the the playbook, that's new stuff. So, that was
why we went. >> We'll do. >> Thank you. Um, we ready for the uh meeting minutes? >> There's some motions of it uh for these minutes. >> I'll make a motion that the planning board approves the February 12, 2026 meeting minutes
as written. >> Amended. >> It's amended. >> Uh, do I have a second? >> I'll second. Oh, second. Julie seconded. Ken, how do you vote? I >> um Kathleen, >> yes. >> Nathan, I Julie, >> yes.
>> Chair votes I. Uh oh. I can sign it right now. And what did we just approve? The February 12th. >> Yeah. February. >> Okay. I'd like to make a motion to we approve the March 10th, 2026 meeting. >> Second. >> Any discussion? Hearing none. Ken, >> I. >> Kathleen,
>> yes. >> Nathan, >> I. >> Julie? >> Yes. >> Shar votes? I >> motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Okay. >> Good night everyone. Thank you very much.