Are we recording already? >> Is that me? Hey Josh. >> Hey Josh Morris. Can you hear me? >> Okay. Hello. Can you hear me? >> I can hear you now. Yes. >> Very good. I can We can hear you and see you.
>> Perfect. That sounds great. Sorry if these via >> um Okay. >> Yeah. Lou uh from >> Sounds like a busy Sounds like a busy busy meeting tonight. A lot of people so far. >> You can mute. You can mute who?
>> Lou. Is that okay if uh they mute me or do you need me for a minute? Are we good? >> Uh yeah. I just wanted to make sure. Do we have a um how's our attendance today for the meeting? >> Yep. We're all set. Yep. Sorry, I didn't. Yep. Okay, we will uh
>> I can't hear you now, so I You must be muted now. >> Okay. I can't really keep you going over there. Gosh, I'm not hearing anything quite yet. >> And then they just added Fridays on in
the email and I was like, I didn't know there was a Friday. >> Hello Lou. Can uh you hear me? >> Say Saturday, Sunday. Yes, I can. >> Very good. >> We're just uh >> we're just setting up at the We're just setting up right now. Just all the board members just getting ready. >> Are all our board members in attendance
today? >> Yes. >> Um thank you. >> Why don't we maybe start in uh 30 seconds, 45 seconds? >> We good? Yeah. Okay. Hello. Um, I think we're we're all set to get started if if you are
>> on our end. >> Okay. >> Very good. All right. Well, why don't we begin? Good evening, everybody. at 7:03 p.m. Uh my name is Lewis George and I'm the chair of the Danvers Planning Board and
we're here for our uh public meeting being held at the Danver Senior Center uh 25 Stone Street. It's August 12th, 2025, as I mentioned at 7:03 p.m. And um at the outset, I did want to um
just want to note that I am going to be participating remotely uh today. I apologize for participating remotely. I did have the intention of being at the meeting in person but unfortunately uh we experienced a death in our family and because of that I did have to um reshuffle some of my work obligations.
So as a result that's what I was not able so I'm have to participate in tonight's meeting remotely. So but uh so because this is going to be um at least one participant will be participating remotely we will need to any votes will have to be uh be done by roll call vote.
Uh and again, so joining me today at the uh at our at our meeting is uh Jean Hartnett, our clerk, uh Jim Sears, uh Tim Spiddle, and Michael Dulis, and also representing the town, uh Josh Mars, principal planner with the town of
Danvers, is present today as well. And so, uh, because I will be participating remotely here, I'll have to rely on, um, my, uh, our clerk, uh, uh, Jean Hartnett, as well as, um, uh, Josh with town staff just to make sure in terms of being able to call on people, uh, who
might be have public comment or that sort of thing. I just need some need a little extra assistance. So, our first agenda item here is a discussion about the citizens petitions that were presented at the May 2025 town meeting. Um, and before we begin that
one, just as a quick intro, um, as I mentioned at the tail end of our last meeting, uh, I had been asked, um, Mark Zubric had approached me via town staff to, uh, to discuss the citizens petitions that had recently been
presented at town meeting. Um and so uh the discretion even though this is not a a related to a specific zoning item the uh as the discretion of the chair I did um allow this to be out as an agenda item. So this is at the top of the meeting. Um so I did limit the because
we do have a full agenda here. I am limiting discussion on this or at least presentation to 30 minutes uh 30 minutes with a really with a total of of 45 which would encompass any questions by members of the board but it would be 35 30 minutes for anybody presenting and so
I'm not sure if if we could even if if there are a number of people who do wish to present just so everybody does have the ability to do so maybe we could have people indicate you know raising their hands like who would be um you know who in the audience would be would be interested in presenting on this this
topic so that we can at least figure out in terms of uh the amount of time to be allotted. So if people can indicate who would be interested in speaking on this Josh if you can um
just just because um say Mr. Jim Marose maybe would be the first person to speak just cuz he he was you know a signator on one of the one of them but I guess we could start with >> Jim we could start with you if that's okay. or or Mark. Okay. Sorry, I didn't Okay.
Didn't see your name name your your hand. Mark, sorry. >> Didn't see my hand. >> Okay, >> Mr. Mr. Zuber, why don't you go ahead and and present? Thank you very much for uh allowing us to have this opportunity
to at least discuss and present why we did the citizens petitions and why the citizens petition was a vehicle for the residents that are concerned about the planning effort that's going on in our
town. specifically in regards to the legislative action that has taken place and that's what we're dealing with. So today what I'd like to do is I'd like to have Jim Morose come up and do his part of the
presentation then I'll do mine in more detail. So if that's okay with you >> I appreciate it. So >> that sounds fine. No, thank you sir. Jim and we're going to try to limit it to 30 minutes like you said. >> Okay, that would be that would be
appreciated. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Uh Jim Morose tell me remember precinct 3 and uh yeah, I was one of the leaders of these u petitions and and again it's like anything else. You know, the citizens try to get their voices heard through these petitions and you know, we're not the sharpest knives in the drawer. um
you know as has as lead you know we failed to hit the process points and and there's a lot of things that we missed and during the discussions there was a lot of things said and not said and everything else but the bottom line is you know we talk about zoning and what's the essence and what what what what's
what do people expect from the zoning and so one of the things was I I I mentioned during the discussions u a u a demographic you know and people who oh what's this demographic traffic. Well, I I did mention it several times and I
will do it again and the demographic that we're highly concerned about which which is funny. The one I gave at town meeting and the one I talked about is is uh population per square mile. So in I got 2020 statistics that I kind of just
dug up, you know, you Google and and so in 2020 had a 2,115 people per square mile. Okay. And then you can compare that with Beverly has the population square per square mile of 2,827.
In Burlington, which is kind of our uh sister city population, everything else, they have 2,244, you know, um, you know, uh, residents, you know, population per square mile. And I just redid it again and now it's
funny. I got 2025 statistics, right? And Danas, this list was a little bit more comprehensive that they had 240 pounds listed. And Danvas is was number 71 in the rank at 1,968. So, did we lose people? Uh, I don't know
how that worked out. Beverly is even lower than us at 1,880 residents population per square mile. In Burlington, again, they jumped ahead of us at 2,100. So I mean the thing is it
we're talking about smart zoning zoning and and what is the metric? Are there any measurements? I mean this is you know density is a good measurement of how we can you know there's only so much traffic Davis can know can can can
accommodate. We've already got snails all over town now with this zoning. We we you know we've gone from four units per acre to with special permits variances this blah blah you can have 16 24 36 units per acre with diminished
parking and that's all the residents are concerned about. This is just as far as we were concerned it's not smart zoning. It's adding insult to injury and traffic into already congested areas. The only thing that's going to be next is one-way streets and
uh who knows what else. But uh again, you know, the zoning board of appeals, you know, does a great job of holding people's feet to the fire when they come in and try to get something done. and uh you know they they'll help to to
feet and inches on setbacks and everything else, but yet when they come to the planning board and get a special permit, this and that, it's uh it it you know there it can get whatever they want. I mean they handing off the special permits left and
right and and again it's it's it's more than what's by right. Okay, so that's all in addition. I mean we just had that case on corner of Elm Street. We had 16 by right. It was 11. We ended up with 13. But >> even if the building stays the same,
your whole intent is they could have made the building smaller now that they don't need the other three or four units or whatever. But again, we have to add some intelligence to what we're doing here. And uh so that's all I'm saying. And that's all the residents want. They
want to make sure that you understand that. You know, I I had talked to the plane department to get about how this all worked out and with this dangerous strategic dangerous I said is there any conflict with this? Oh no it's
not. But if we could have tied the high street line down 128 to to the uh what do you call it the Liberty Tree Mall. That would have that would have taken all the area that we need instead of going down Elm Street, going down Hobart
and all these other places. We actually went into neighborhoods. So that's what we're talking about. Mark go into a little more detail. And uh again, I mean there may be a housing crisis, there may not. Depends on who you talk to. I mean
just because someone wants to live in Davis doesn't mean there's a housing crisis. I mean, people want to live every, you know, wherever they want to live, but, you know, it's it's supply and demand, and we don't we need to redevelop. We're going to develop things
and we need apartments and other units, but you don't go from four units per acre zipped up to 16, 24, 36. That's not that's that's just, you know, too fast, too much in one area. But, uh, at any rate, that's that's it.
>> I'm ready. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. Thank you. >> You can't get him away from the mic, but that's good. Uh I'm just as bad, but uh what I like to do is just give you a little explanation of why these citizens
petitions were filed by residents of the town of Danvers. And they were not filed by town meeting members, but they were filed by average citizen that's on the street and able to conduct business with
the town meeting. So the citizens petitions are a vehicle for average people to get to the town meeting and present their case. And this is one of the vehicles where average citizens can
come in to the planning board and present their case. And all we want to do today is just give you an explanation of why this happened. Citizens petitions of town meeting. Why, what, how, and for what purpose this was
done. The town meeting citizens petition were presented with significant discussion and debate before being defeated by town meeting. So the presentation is to give you an idea of
what happened and there were three citizens petitions and they were all similar in intent which was to resend the MBTA law which was imposed on us by
the legislature of our state. the individual's uh warrant articles or citizens petitions were slightly different and they were all presented to the board of
selectment. They were all presented to the finance committee. They were all presented to the town meeting and at least one which was the one about a study that should be conducted to
understand what the residents are concerned about is to be discussed at this meeting and that's what we're trying to present to you. The warrant articles
were not illegal. They were deemed legal by our town council. However, I don't think we presented them in a very clear fashion, but that's why we want to come back to the planning board to address
those particular issues. uh they were defeated all at the town meeting and it's it's a matter of getting our point of view for the community to the town meeting. uh
citizens petitions were three and I won't go into a lot of detail but the first one was to rescend the MBTA law and we understand after further study that the revisions or the
implementation of the zoning that was done at the time even before the MBTA law was passed were conducted in an open meeting and we appreciate that. However,
it appeared at the time of town meeting that that was a forced downward issue by the legislature of our of our state. So that article was basically defeated
because I don't think anybody wanted to resend everything but we needed to get the attention of town meeting and the board of selectman. They also defeated it which is fine but
at least we got our point across and now this is a continuation of getting our point across to the planning board. Petition two was more lax and it was basically to study to explore what the
issues are from the residents and this is what I think we should have passed at town meeting but even if it failed at town meeting we want to bring it to you for your consideration and I
hope in the future we'll take that up because I understand that the planning board does an annual review of what kind of transactions have transpired and what they needed to be done.
Um, the third one was basically mine and I use a hammer instead of a chisel to get things done because I wanted to resend the whole thing and that did not
fly. But the the problem is is that as a result of what is happening at Maple Square and the comments that are coming back and I don't know whether you're hearing them or not but we are hearing that it's
a monstrosity. it's too big for the uh area which is it's done deal now but we need to prevent that from happening to other areas. So what we have done is we have explored
the issue of defeating this MBTA law and there was a uh issue that was uh presented to us that other towns in the area like uh Marblehead, Middleton,
Tukesbury, Wilmington, Winthre are all challenging that MBTA law. Now, I don't know if we want to do a challenge because we participated in that in the beginning, but we need to address the
specific little issues of density, traffic, and congestion of what's happening downtown. Now, one of the things that I've seen is that even the state legislature
uh yesterday or a day before 19 groups filed 47 initiative petitions to propose constitutional amendments and laws with the attorney general's office. And just for our information,
uh, three four of these are repeal MBTA zoning, preserving local control of zoning, which is what we have lost basically, and prevent overdevelopment,
reforming the zoning process. So there are actions that are being taken by other towns and our legislators in regards to the concern that we have had as an organization of residents that
care about what happens in Damas. Um, recently the planning board approved one of the future zoning developments at Essex and Elm Street. And I watched that and many of our residents have watched
that presentation and it was very unusual because every exception that was allowed to the developer was approved by the planning board. Now we
have instituted these zoning uh laws. Why are we making exceptions on a regular basis? And that's not the first one because we have had exceptions for Maple Square, Pine Street, now SX and
Elm, Danvers Hardware, and Murphy's Market. When we continue to embark on this refined proposed zoning, we need to move with caution and consider that unintended consequences of our actions.
And that's what we want to bring across and see what can be done by actions of the board. You have a lot of power in your hands for delivering the projects to the developers and to the residents.
uh the density, congestion, and parking or lack of it. We specifically need a master plan to lead us into the future because what we're doing is we're doing uh small uh areas of uh Maple Street,
High Street, and uh the adjacent streets. and we're allowing zoning to change or overlay into those areas, but we're not looking at the overall Danvers town development and what needs
to be done. uh to we need to define a master plan, identify the elements and based on mass general law. I have a copy of the outline for a master plan and that's something that I would like to
suggest that may be something we need to consider. Um the uh Okay, you're still there. That's good. Um, >> I'm still here. I'm still here. I'm letting you I'm letting you speak and
then when when when you're when you finish speaking, we'll we'll turn it over to the board if they have any more comments I want to make as well. >> I have one more speaker that wants to address this issue. And the thing is that the future discussion regarding
uh appointment of the planning board is has something that has been discussed by the town charter review. Mhm. >> And the town charter review has considered whether the planning board is
representative of the town by election or by appointment. When it's by appointment, it reflects the town manager's uh position of how this town should be. And maybe it should be partial elected,
partially appointed because then you will be reflecting the choices and reflect the wishes of the residents because you are partially elected. Town charter manager review and evaluation
are uh moving along. Uh planning board considerations either appointed or elected. That's my entire thing. But I would like to bring your attention to something that I found during my research on this is Town of
Danvers, Massachusetts Community Survey, which was done back in 2017. And that survey really explains the key study findings and how this town is reflected in the
makeup of the residents. And one of the key issues has always been traffic and congestion. So, and taxes and my favorite subject taxes. So, that's something that we may
need to look at with the board of selectment. But I would suggest and I am going to provide you with a copy of this um great blue town of Danver's Massachusetts community survey and has
some very good findings that we should consider as uh Denver's residents. So now, if I may, uh, like to introduce our third speaker,
>> and thank you. >> Uh, okay. >> I think it's I'll introduce myself. Thank you very much, Mark. Um, Joanne Reguchi, town meeting member, precinct 2. Thank you so much for letting us present tonight.
>> Um, to the chair and also to the board. We appreciate your attention to this. Um, as Mark and Jim said previously, you know, this was done out of a lot of complaints from residents that we're
getting. Uh, it's it's not something that we just dreamt up one night to drive you guys crazy. Um, so that's why we're here is um, and I'll get into that in my comments, but
um, so the idea sort of behind the petition is not to have dams remain stagnant. I've known there's there's been some push back and some um, talk of that that we want damage just to remain the same
and be like it always was and that's not true. um we want the growth but within what Danvers is and I think that's the huge question or
the elephant that's in the room is so what is Danver so Danvers is situated 17 miles north of Boston partially bounded by cities by cities of Salem in Beverly.
The town with its 14 square mile area and population of 28,000 still retains much of the homeiness in agriculture, excuse me, architectureal heritage of old New England.
That is how Danvers is presenting itself in our historical pamphlet. This is what we present our town as. And I think the town's bylaws, their zoning bylaws, and what's happening now
with um a lot of this development is flying in the face of what Danvers is presenting itself as. Um Danvers isn't going to be this anymore. If we continue down the road, we are. Because as you know, I was at the last
planning board meeting and several board members struggled with trying to make a decision with 17 Elm Street. Um, it was it is encroaching on a neighborhood. There's going to be a lot of neighborhood issues. Um,
and I saw the struggle on their faces and there's not much that I know the board can do because that's the law in the books. and we need to work together to be able to change it to make it better for
everyone in town. One of the um things that Danvers uh paid for last year was a affordable housing study. Um I'm told the town likes to spend a
lot of money on these studies. So this is what the Dan Excuse me. I have the floor. >> Excuse me. >> I have the I have the floor. If I have the floor, >> can you please direct any points to the to the chair? >> I have the floor. If you want it to the chair,
>> ma'am, I have the floor. Can you ask her to leave? >> If she doesn't stop, I'm trying to speak. If she doesn't stop, she needs to leave. >> I I don't do this to other people speaking. I don't expect it when I am. >> Okay. >> It's speaking. So it's the town
>> the chair is recognizing Mr. Gucci to speak. So you have some time some time remaining Mr. Reguchi. So it's >> so the town >> Thank you. >> It was paid for but >> um what a couple of the highlights that
came out of the study was that they saw for Danvers was long-term um affordable housing ownership. What they wanted Danvers to do was to promote housing that that promotes
building and homeowner wealth. So that means either single family to two family homes and also recommended a 5-year housing plan. Those are just very short little uh highlights
um of the survey. I'm not going to get into it. I just took those out of it for my presentation. So, I don't want to get into a challenge with someone in the audience. Um, this is our presentation, not yours. Um,
one of the other things that I think I'm hoping to see Danvers do is to work towards, and one of the reasons why we brought these petitions was Danvers has to work towards bringing in more businesses, whether it's small business, whether
it's larger retail businesses to work with the owners of the Liberty Tree Mall, which honestly is looking very shabby. Abby outside lately. I think um on the other side of the trampoline
place a wall fell off of that building. Um but I hope that the town and maybe that's something a conversation with the select board and the town u manager. Um and I think that will equate more tax
dollars for the town. Part of the reasoning with these zoning changes that were put forth a few years ago was that additional housing is to increase tax dollars for the town. It'll bring in more businesses. It will drive,
you know, they want to drive it that way. Um, I'm not so sure if there should be a little more evenness of driving business as well as the housing, but with an increased budget burning with
additional largecale housing projects, it'll come to schools, it'll come to our resources, it'll come to first responders and other town uh resources. So those additional tax dollars will be
a wash in a sense. It's not going to equate to a huge um uh tax windfall for the town where they can do a lot with their money. Um one of the other reasons too was we were
supposed to be able to start applying for um a lot of oh the word forget I lost the word but it was a lot of um Anyways, I'm going to leave that and I just wanted to get on to my precinct.
Um, precinct 2 since I have been a town meeting member for the past going on 3 years. Um, the issues that continually rise to the top are overdevelopment, traffic,
which actually has become a bigger problem not only with volume but with speed. And this is this is not only in my precinct, but it's in um other precincts as well. North Street, huge speed
problem. Colin Street, huge pe speed problem. Dayton Street, huge speed problem. There's a lot of crashes. We have a lot of people on bikes now. So, there's that increased pedestrian danger. the police department with my precinct
has met with uh in February and some of these concerns were addressed um to kind of work on them within precinct 2 was they don't have the resources to enforce traffic like Damas used to.
>> So that's lack of income. So, with all this increase, you're going to have um less services to control our traffic and so forth. I know I'm rambling on. I kind of lost my way. >> Um but actually, we are getting towards
the uh >> I'm going to I'm just giving you just a two-minute war. I need I need two seconds. Thanks. Thanks. Okay. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to wrap it up again. Thank you for your attention. Thanks, Mark. Um, I appreciate, you know, you letting us
come in and and speak for the residents that we volunteer for. We're just not here to annoy people. These are the residents that are pushing for these changes. It's not just a group of a few people sitting in the back of the room.
And I know you might not see those faces in here, but I think I have a lot of precinct members here tonight. Who I know I see. If you guys can stand up from my precinct. I have a few. I have several. Okay.
And you know, I regularly get emails, phone calls, texts. This this problem, this that problem, and we need to work together, and I hope that you can. Thank you very much. >> Thank you very much, Mr. Guji.
>> Uh, Mr. Chairman, I just want to thank you for this opportunity and I hope the uh we continue this discussion because this is something that's important for the town of Danvers, the culture of Danvers and what
is Danver all about. So, thank you very much. And if I have any questions, I I'm here to answer them if you have any. >> Actually, yeah, Mr. Zubrick, why don't you why don't you stand by here? I just want to see if any of members of the board do have any um questions for you
or any of the other um presenters. Um so uh I'll I'll see if um our clerk Jean Hartner, do you have any any questions at all for for anything that was said today or comments? >> Um yeah, so I I know that um Mrs.
Reguchi had talked mentioned the master plan and I know that's been something we've talked about. So we're trying to make that happen. Um, but so what exactly are your action items for us or do you just want us to sort of keep this at the back of our mind or how do you
want us to move forward? >> No, I think I think the master plan needs to be addressed. However, right now what we're doing is patchwork on different zoning areas. And what we need to do is look at the
overall what is Danvers all about. It's not just downtown. >> It's the whole entire community of 14 uh square miles, I believe, or Yeah, I think it's 14 square miles.
>> Okay. So I do request that yes we do need to address that and I am willing to come aboard and help in defining it because I've gone through I've got some
information from your planning department and they are very helpful and I have an outline of a uh master plan and I have also looked at different master plans for communities that are
similar to us. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Anything else? Jean, anything any other questions? >> Nope, that's it. Thanks. >> Okay, very good. Um, uh, Tim Spiddle,
Tim. >> Um, no, I think I my main question with Jeans is I'm not quite sure what the objective of any questions would be at this point since there's no action item in front of us. Um, I would definitely encourage you all to submit another citizens petition so we can sort of
evaluate what you have next time you come around. >> And that's a very appropriate approach because I don't think we're here to request things. We just want to put it on the
table so you as a board understand what some of the residents, not all but some of the residents have concerns and we have identified those in our presentation and in our citizens
petitions but that was the only way to address it at that time with town meeting. The selectman didn't want to hear it. The finance committee didn't want to hear it. the legal department heard what we were trying to do and they said you're not illegal. So that's was
first time in my life that the town attorney said you're legal. >> Yeah. Were you I don't believe you were at the last meeting, Mr. Zubri, but did you get did you get a chance to watch the video from that? >> Oh, yes. I watched it. Yeah. >> Very intensely.
>> Good. And I was very surprised at the length and the way it was being conducted because you are the committee that's in charge of approving those
projects and that's what I expected and that's not what I saw. >> I'm sorry. I meant the meeting where we discussed the citizens petitions. >> No, >> you did. So we discussed >> No, I was never invited. I mean you were discussing things but then I was told
afterwards >> that I was not >> well I only asked because I mean I can re reiterate the point I made during that meeting which is you know I I am really excited to see citizen petitions. I love seeing packed rooms and hearing from people but I think the zoning bylaws have been passed through
countless meetings super majority of town meeting multiple times. I think the bar is extremely high to ask to overturn that. Um, so I would love to hear more from you and see more work from you all of of what your actual proposals are and the impact you think that they'll have, but I think we need a lot more.
>> All you have to do is ask. >> Great. Because the residents are ready to step up. The problem is that we need an ear to hear what our complaints are. >> Thank you. >> Yep. >> Very good. Thank you, Tim. Um, Michael
Doulus. >> All set. Thanks. >> Okay. Uh Jim Sears. >> Uh no questions. >> Uh and then just as myself, I don't >> Go ahead. >> Go ahead, M. >> No. Um
I don't have any um uh any questions but just a just a couple of of comments and I think that in terms of I understand in terms of the citizens petitions and I understand these are definitely having been involved with them myself before um it's you know they're definitely a you
know uh uh you know you know a good way to get the matter before the before the town meeting. And so the like one comment I would have with respect I know one and I want I know one concern that was expressed with respect to the study
um uh you know study citizens petition in terms of calling for study and is in essence loaded language that was in it initially that that indicated that uh that in essence had a had a uh a premise of that the you know the MBTA zoning
updates were you know that was was all that was exemplified by Maple Square and I don't see that as uh I think it's been was called out that that was not altogether accurate and moreover using language such as to maintain demographics in town I think that is um
I think that is troublesome um uh language >> that and the >> that is an impression that has been coming across I
we need to get more educated. And what I did is I have a copy of the zoning bylaws here, 269 pages plus addendums, and the thing is I went through it in
the beginning and it's very appropriate, but we're not following them. So the thing is that it's something that needs to be addressed and I would be willing to assist in any way
and I know that other people will be willing to assist. >> Okay. Well, very good. All right. I don't have any um any further comments again aside from the fact that I do agree and we've discussed the master plan uh and um and that's something I
think that we should certainly um certainly endeavor so uh to do in the future. So uh if there are no further comments or questions by members of the board um thank you for those who have uh um who did present this uh um this um
this evening and thank you to to the to the members of the board as well. Um uh so um very good. So I'm going to move on. So thank you Zubric. I'm going to move on now to the Thank you. >> Okay. So I'm going to move on to our next agenda item here, which is the uh
which is a public hearing for 165 Endicott Street. It's a request for signage waiver pursuant to section 37.2B3 2B3 of the zoning bylaw submitted by AM15 MA management LLC and Kelly's
roast beef for property at 165 Endicott Street map 63 lot 18. Said property is in the commercial 3C3 zoning district. The applicant proposes a compliant third sign where a maximum of two signs are
allowed. No. Do we have an applicant here to present? >> Oh, yeah, sure. >> Yes. Thank you very much. My name is Nancy McCann here. On behalf of the applicant, I did submit a letter requesting a continuence uh so that we
can look at specifically uh the installation of a new signal mast arm uh for the project on the other side of Indicott Street may in fact interfere with the proposed location of the new freestanding sign uh for which this
application uh was presented. So we would request a continuence to your next meeting so that we can look at that and make any adjustments before we present to you. Thank you. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you very much for that. So we would like to um and so this
will be our next meeting, Josh. That would be our meeting of is that uh September the 9th? >> That's correct. >> Okay. Very good. So, I would like to entertain a motion to continue the public hearing on the request for uh
with respect to 165 Enderot Street to the meeting of September 9th uh 2025. Um is there can I have a motion on that? >> I make a motion we continue 165 Endicott Street to the September 9th, 2025
meeting. >> Very good. The motion's been made. Is there a second on that motion? Second. >> Okay. Second by Tim Spiddle, first by Jean. Okay. Any um uh any discussion on the motion? Hearing none. All in favor?
I am going to have to do it by roll call vote. Um Jean Hartnip, >> yes. >> Jim Sears, >> yes. >> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. >> Michael Doulus, >> yes.
>> And I say yes. So very good. Uh so motion to continue to the next meeting has been passed. So we'll see you um uh we'll see you next month. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Very good. So let's move on to our next agenda item. Third agenda item is a
public hearing 11:15 aka 31 49 and 55 Newbury Street to request for site plan review pursuant to section 4 of the zoning bylaw submitted by Costcoale corporation for properties in the highway carter zone zoning
district. The applicant proposes expansions to the existing warehouse building and to the parking lots and associated site modifications. Map 55, lot 004. Map 55, lot 001. Map 48, lot 009A.
Map 48, lot 009. Do we have an applicant here to present? >> Uh, yes. Good evening. Uh, Michael Capetti, R.J. Okonnell, the civil engineers on this project. Also with me tonight is John Harter from TPD, the traffic engineers on the project, and
Min Kim from MG2, the architects on the project. Um, and Josh, I think we had >> Yep. Yep. >> going to make this rather rather quick. Um, we're more than open to answer any and all questions. Uh, we were before
the board back about a year ago. Um, at that time, Costco had purchased the TGIF Fridays property where they are planning on relocating their existing gas facility over onto that lot. Um there is
no change to the approval on the TGIF portion of it. The gas station is going to be built as designed and as approved back a year ago. Uh what has happened since is Costco has purchased the hardcover property. Uh the reason they're purchasing it is to expand their
parking. Uh as many people know their parking situation out there, they could use some additional parking and and the goal is to have some additional parking closer to the main entrance. Um, in conjunction with the additional parking, they are also proposing two additions off of the existing warehouse. One being
off the front portion, uh, approximately 1,200 12,300 ft². Uh, the purpose of that addition would be to relocate the tire center to the rear side of the front of the building and put their main entrance on
the corner facing Route One. Uh, and having a main entrance is going to encompass and allow us to take advantage of the additional parking that's going to go on the existing uh, so this is the existing site just to
give everybody a I'm sure everybody knows but this is the existing gas station. This is the hard cover Fridays and the Marriott is over here. Um, if we advance to the next slide, the additions that I spoke of would be
off the front and off the rear of the building. As you see, the hard cover would be demolished as would uh as previously approved, the gas station would be demolished. And now, this would encompass a large parking area. And outlined in red is a previously approved
gas station, which will not be changed from previous approvals. Uh overall, this new parking situation achieves 119 additional parking spaces than what's on on the site currently today. Um as I was
speaking before, the addition off the front now focuses the entrance to be closer to the main drive and make it easier for uh the the new parking lot to be able to enter into the building. the tire center, which is now the focal point as you pull in, would be moved
down to this area. The rear side edition would be more for reconfiguring the loading dock areas and for more backup house for um mechanical room areas and to better uh layout inside the building towards
the rear end. uh we have provided a drainage report and drainage analysis uh with this project and there is an overall decrease in impervious throughout the site. So it's only subject to a redevelopment for this this project. We've had the luxury of going
through a couple review phases with the engineering division. Uh very minor comments we've addressed all of them and you know basically storm water everything is addressed. There is one remaining open comment where they are requesting some additional
information on subsurface piping throughout the site and unfortunately it's not a great record or information for us to know exactly where all the pipes are on the site. Um Costco is hiring a company to come out there and do some ground penetrated radar to map
all the remaining pipes on the site and then we'd be able to provide the information to engineerings to satisi satisfy that remaining comment. Um, so again, if you note off the back, these areas back here, over here, and up
here, there are some wetland areas that are currently on the site. We will be filing with conservation for a nose intent for this project. Also, uh again, we've received all of the approvals for the one adjacent to that that stream bed or it's actually a wetland uh that's
adjacent to the new gas station. Uh if we advance this was just overall the the drainage on the site. We're going to be working with the existing drainage infrastructure having a small subsurface detention area. Ultimately it
will function as it does today where all of the water is collected and goes to the existing drainage basin that's located off the rear parking lot. Again, this has all been vetted and gone through conser uh through storm water review and it will go
through conservation. Uh next slide. This is just given an overview as we said 119 and new additional spaces. And the next slide will just show we have prepared a overall um landscaping uh design throughout the
project to accompany to to provide shade trees throughout the site. Uh also dressing up uh certain areas with bushes and and certain ground cover. Uh with that we'll advance to just the next slide which I will turn it over to John
Harter quickly. I'm sorry two more slides. Oh one more slide maybe. >> Oh this is the old one. >> Yeah >> let's just go go back two slides. I'll turn off the draw just quickly on traffic and also men is here also if we
have any questions about architecture and we'll just go from there. Um, Mike, which which slide, Mike, >> if you can go back one to the OS1 plan. >> Sorry, the other direction. >> That should be fine. Is that going to be
>> good? Okay. Uh, thank you. Good evening. John Harter, Her. I'm senior vice president with TBD. We're um tra uh traffic consultant for Costco. Uh, I was on the prior application and I'm working on about um 40 or so active projects
with Costco along the east coast. Um, just Mike did a great job covering everything. I thought I would just touch on a few items that um would be helpful to add. Um, the hard cover today has a direct right in only driveway that you can see toward the center of the
property that will be closed as part of the application. Uh we met with um Mass. District 4 in early June and talked through the the project. We're we're we've filed an application for a permit to close that driveway temporarily and
then permanently. And then because of um we have had to hire a a pre-qualified DOT surveyor, Feldman, who's also doing the ground penetrating radar, and they're involved because it's a um a limited access roadway. And when you
when you close or add a driveway, you have to go through a detailed process. So that we're under that's underway right now as well. Um all trucks will be using the northern driveway. So um the last application I think really helps distribute the traffic better at this
the two sight driveways. Today the gas and the warehouse this the southern access is really the main driveway because of those two generators. But now with the fuel at the north end of the site, we'll see more traffic disperse to the second northern driveway and all trucks would use the northern driveway
away from the primary parking and pedestrian activity. Uh pedestrian improvements are also a big part of the application. Uh there's sidewalk that's proposed along the west side of the warehouse building uh that doesn't exist today. And then you have crossings that
that are um identified throughout the site that that will really improve um the the the overall site circulation. Parking will um be increased to about 771 spaces. Costco now is trying to on newer sites to get 800 spaces. So
they're really close with this upgrade. And not only more parking, but better the better layout. You know, it's closer to the entrance to the building. So that's that's a benefit as well. Uh we prepared a trip generation memo that was
submitted to the town and also to Masdot and they they accepted that and and reviewed it and um concur that the the changes in trip generation would fall below a substantial increase uh based on their standards
and that covers traffic. >> I don't if we need men to do >> again. minutes here if we need to talk anything about architecture, but we'll kind of just want to turn it over to the board and just let your questions or any questions from the crowd dictate where we go from here if that's okay with everyone.
>> Okay, that sounds perfect. Thank you very much. Thank you for your presentation. And um let's turn it over now to the uh to the board with any uh with any questions. Why don't I start things off with uh with Tim Spiddle? >> Thanks for the presentation. This looks
like a a major improvement as a Costco executive card holder. Um I just had a quick question on traffic and flow in terms of it. You know, right now the traffic just goes straight into the parking. So it is nice that now you have this kind of tea intersection in two
separate entrances. Do you have any plans for signs of sort of where you're trying to direct certain type of people or how to utilize so many different parking areas? >> Uh I the plan may not have that actually. I think that came up at the last hearing about some of the gas. So,
we were intending to add uh directional signs to the gas facility, but I think that's a good idea. We could we could identify warehouse parking as you come into the main entrance and fuel to your left. I I think the members will learn the circulation as they go along, but I
do remember that was an important point at the the prior approval. Uh but you're correct. As you come in, the main southern access, it's a four-way intersection on site, and that's been changed to a T intersection. That will really cut down on the number of conflict points and movements at that
intersection, but that's that's a good idea. We could certainly work with the town and professional staff to increase >> just for information purposes. Uh there is a condition in the draft decision. Um just you didn't know, um just it was
it's just a copy. It's similar to what was in the previous decision saying that the applicant will work with planning staff um to to choose locations for directional signage on the property. >> Great. >> Thank you. >> That's it for me. Thanks.
>> Great. Thank you, Tim. Uh Mike Dulus, >> uh no questions. Appreciate your presentation. Thank you. >> There you go. Uh Jim Sears, >> uh Tim's was my question as well. I think the concern is that I mean could we let the members know that if they're
just going for gas to use the second entrance? You know, I'm assuming people will probably do both when they shop and then go and get gas either most likely after they shop, but to try to cut down on the clogging of the one first intersection to try to bifurcate that
for people who are just trying to get quick gas and get out of there. >> Yes. So maybe signage and maybe um correspondence to members email or otherwise. >> Right. And and sometimes in the um entrance to the building they've added
information like that as well especially after you know the improvements are done. >> Yeah. So, >> so I mean, you know, just it's a parking lot, so there's not a lot to I mean, we've already gone through this before, so I think it it the site looks it'll be
well utilized. And just that's the biggest thing for me is directional signage and trying to cut down on, you know, people crossing the street there. It's going to be crosswalks. I take it to the new entrance and and just kind of being able to control all that funnel of
traffic and pedestrian movement. All good points. We agree. Okay. >> Jim, uh Jim, do you propose anything anything in addition? I know there's, you know, there's a condition in the draft decision with with respect to wayfair and signage. Do you recommend
would you suggest anything further that be added? Could you point out are there proposed crosswalks to the new entrance and are we doing away with the old entrance? >> Uh the old entrance via the hard cover. >> No, no, I'm talking about the building.
>> Oh, sorry. Yes. You can see in faint or a gray color. These are crosswalks that are installed or proposed west of the building. So, you have 1 2 3 4 5 six. >> Okay. >> That are along the building on the west side. And then you can see the main
entrance. You've got this very large hatched area for for pedestrians on the south facade. >> And is the rear of the building for employee parking? Is that >> right? That it's it actually works out quite well because it's around 100 spaces and that that's a good volume or
supply for for employees. So I I really expect that this would be um today there's just a lot of parking north of the building that's not ideal. now would have a good volume for for employees. >> And the tire area, is that going to shift to the back? Where where's the
tire changing area going to be? >> So, the tire area will still stay in the front of the building. The bays would be located in this area facing here. What it is is it's being relocated. Currently, it's here to slide down this building to now open up a corner entrance facing the roadway.
So, primarily you just going to use the the bottom entrance for tires or can you still access the whole store? >> There are doors located along here at from this area over will all be uh there, you know, if you if you've been out there, they have those garage doors
that slide up and this will all be a large foyer area. I think there so main entrance would be from here over with garage doors that slide up and then uh the remainder of this area would be for the tire center. Yes.
>> So we'll just clearly designate that so people know where to go. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you. That's it for me. >> Okay. Thank you. Um Jean Hartnett, any questions or comments?
>> Hi. Um thank you. I definitely agree that more parking is needed, but um what are your hours right now? Did you ever think about extending either before opening or after closing to have a longer period of open time?
>> Yes, Costco recently started it for executive members and an an earlier opening. >> Okay. >> Um before the normal hours, it typically opens at 9:30 or 10:00 depending on the day of the week. And now believe that's about an hour earlier. And fuel is also
being o is always opened before um the rush hour. So it's usually around 6:30 in the morning, but they're newer longer hours as well for the fuel in the night time. >> Okay. >> As well. So >> Okay. Thank you.
>> See, very good. And I just have a few um just a few questions. And again, thank you for the presentation. And I know that we we, you know, we've seen this area, you know, we've seen this before, at least with respect to the gas station. Um, and I did just have a a few
questions with respect to um any changes or anything any issues with respect to the to the abuter the abuing property. I know that I guess that was the what was the I guess the formal you know the residence in. >> Yes. Um so that's PEG hospitality. Um at
the last meeting there was a discussion about um I can go back to the the pointer here. Um there was a question about >> gas queuing or gasing gas station >> and I my testimony at the last time still holds true. It's this is a very
large facility. Typically the prototype for Costco in the northeast is a 24 fueling position facility. This is 32. Um, since Costco has the room, they decided there's some in Florida that they're they're that are this large because they're very busy sites. Um, so
Costco has the luxury of that extra capacity. So I don't expect that this would back out of the storage facility. the times say it could is if there was a natural um you know disaster issue or or a storm like storm Sandy um down in the
New York area where where I'm from during that period Costco was one of the fuel fac was the only fuel facility uh in the New York metro area at times open most of the small smaller fuel were not so they had you know huge demand so in a case like that you would have you would
have to we did develop contingency plans um as part of the last application and the approval process. My office did submit a plan that showed how we would cue traffic in that type of situation to the parking area um to the east of the
fuel facility and then back around and in so that we would keep the flow to the residents in open. Um, prior to this application in late July, I reached out to the manager of the residence in um, spoke with her, emailed her the plan and
she said she would circulate that to the PEG hospitality group um, senior um, executives and I followed up yesterday and there was no response or any questions. Um, she confirmed she received the plan uh, but we did not
receive any any specific questions. Um, >> got it. Understood. >> Lou, just forformational purposes. Um, the condition, there was a condition in the previous decision related to the fuel facility and that condition was, uh, carried over to this one regarding,
you know, >> um, you know, prohibiting queuing and access to that >> the parcel that we're talking about. So, >> just want to let you know that's >> I did see that. So, that's >> Yep. >> Right. I did see that. That's why I wanted I wanted to raise the question just to see how things were. if if there
have been any further communications. >> Sure. >> So, no, that's that's great. And um and just like one final question, any you know, any you idea I know that in terms of there's certainly been, you know, this is an expansion here. Is there is uh you know anything that's anticipated
for in the in the in the near future or future with respect to this or I know that you can you can't you know you can't predict the future but in terms of do you is this you know is this sort of where we we're looking at for now or will there be anticipated further
expansion down the road? >> Maybe men could answer that from MG2. >> I my name is M. Hey John, >> go ahead. >> Online so I can answer that. Hi, how are you? This is General Verado, director of real estate development. I'm sorry I couldn't be there, but yes,
>> I can answer that for you. Sorry, man. So, uh, no, I mean, we're not planning any further development. This is basically our goal uh to try to get, you know, this store closer to our new master. So, we don't plan to do anything any any additional the near future.
>> Okay, very good. I was just I was interested just to see in terms of what's what was anticipated. Uh that was that was awesome and you know you could you know but I I appreciate you uh responding to that. >> Yeah. Yeah. So I mean basically that's what we were looking for that right. So
as as John mentioned earlier in the presentation we try to get I mean our our new footprint master is is is bigger and we have closer to 800 plus parking stalls. So we see the opportunity when we purchase those two parcels, right?
Instead of trying to relocate the store, we see the opportunity to stay where we are and expand it as bigger as we can and you know so we can provide what we provide the new buildings to our members here. >> Okay. Very good. Thank you. Okay. Um I
have no further um further questions. Any further questions for members of the board? This is a um before we go to the public if public has any questions. Any further questions for members of the board? >> Nope. >> Okay. Very good. Are there any members
of this is a public hearing. Do any members of the public have any any questions or comments? If they do, they can uh raise their hand and please approach the uh the podium and direct any questions to the chair, please. Josh, can you see does anyone have any questions from the audit?
>> No. No, they do not. >> Okay. Very good. I'll turn things back to the board then. And unless the board has any further questions on this, I would um I
would entertain a motion to close the public hearing. >> Make a motion to close the public hearing. >> Okay. Motion's been made by Gan. Is there a second to the motion to close the public hearing? >> Second. >> Second by Tim Spiddle. Okay. Okay, we'll
do a roll call vote. Um, >> Jim Sears, >> yes. >> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. >> Mike Doulis, >> yes. >> Jean Hartman, >> yes. >> And I say yes. So, public hearing is
closed. So, let's move on now to the um to the actual to the to the matter at hand, the site plan review. Um, and the site plan, we do have a uh draft decision. Can I ask the clerk to um to make a motion and read the decision? >> Yep.
>> Site plan review 11:15 aka 3149 and 55 Newberry Street. Date of application June 17th, 2025. Date of hearing 8, August 12th, 2025. Date of decision, August 12th, 2025. The Danverse planning
board finds the site plan submitted by Costco Wholesale Corporation for property at 11 Newbury Street. Assessor's map 55 lot O4, 15 Newbury Street, aka 31 Newberry Street, Assessor's Map 55 Lot O1, 49 Newberry
Street, Assessor's Map 48, Law O9A, and 55 Newberry Street, Assessor's Map 48 LO 09 to be in substantial compliance with the criteria and regulations adopted by the town. Details of the plan review can be found on the following plans.
Building and parking lot expansion 115 and 49 to 55 Newberry Street Dam Danvers Mass prepared by RJ Oonnell Associates Incorporated dated June 3rd 2025 revised to August 1st 2025 consisting of 33
sheets. Supporting materials include storm water report prepared by RJ Okonnell Associates Incorporated dated June 3rd, 2025 and a trip generation memorandum prepared by Traffic Planning and Design Incorporated dated May 13th, 2025.
The following submission requirements have been waved. One, section 4.3.1, title sheet, the land use of each lot is not shown on the plan. Two, section 4.3.2 site analysis plan. Site analysis plan is entitled the existing conditions
plan EX2A to EX2F. A note containing the number and total DBH of all trees is not shown on the plan. 3. Section 4.3.4 site construction plan. The dimensions of the parking lot drive aisles is shown on the off streetet parking and loading plan
C3B to C3D. No table indicating the amount of earth material that are to be removed, added or reused is shown on the plan for section 4.3.6 utilities plan. The utilities plan is entitled the site construction plan C 2A to C2G.
Five, section 4.3.7 landscape plan. Existing and proposed grades are shown on the site construction plan C2A to C2G. The existing vegetative cover and existing trees are shown on the existing conditions plan EX2A to EX2F. The
methods for protecting the plant materials during construction are shown on landscape details L3. Wetland boundaries are shown on the existing conditions plan EX2C and dimensional regulations plan OS1. Yard setbacks are and table showing
existing and proposed impervious surface is shown on the dimensional regulations plan OS1. Six section 4.3.8 off streetet parking and loading plan. The construction details and type of material is shown on the site details C4 to C7. A parking
table is shown on the dimensional regulations plan OS1. Conditions of approval. The project is subject to the following conditions. One, prior to issuance of a building permit, this site plan decision shall be recorded at the sub southern Essex
Registry of Deeds. Two, the applicant will satisfy all the comments in the Danver's engineering division memorandum dated August 5th, 2025. Three, the applicant shall install wayfinding signage to the gas station facility. The final number and location of the wayfinding signage is to be reviewed and
approved by planning staff. Four, the applicant will work with the abutter at 48 Cranebook Drive, aka 51 Newberry Street, in coordination with planning staff to avoid queuing from the gas station facility from blocking access to 48 Crane Bookbrook Drive, aka 51
Newberry Street. Five, if there are any changes to the approved plans, the use or conditions on premises planning staff will review. If deemed a major change by staff, the applicant will have to apply for a new application for site plan review. This project is subject to the attached lift list of general
conditions. Any approval of the site plan review shall lapse within three years from the grant thereof if construction has not begun by such date. >> Okay, thank you very much. A motion has been made by Gene Hartnett. Is there a second on this?
>> Second. >> Second by Tim Spiddle. Motion's been made and seconded on this on this uh site decision. Uh, any discussion? Hearing none, uh, I'd like to call for a roll call vote. Jean Hartnip,
>> yes. >> Jim Sears, >> yes. >> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. >> Like Dulas, >> yes. >> And I say yes. So, very good. The site plan um has has been approved. Good
luck. Okay. Very good. Let's move on to the the next agenda item. Agenda item four, public hearing 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive. Request for site plan review pursuant to section 4 of the zoning
bylaw submitted by EMD Millipur Corporation for properties in the industrial 2 I2 zoning district. The applicant proposes parking lot expansions on both properties for a total increase of approximately 146 parking spaces between both properties
and related site modifications. Map 37, lot 38, map 29, lot one. Okay, if the applicant is is here, they can they can introduce themselves and you may begin. >> Good evening. Jill man, um 191 South Main Street, Middleton here on behalf of
EMD Millipore. Here with me this evening is representative from Millipur, Mark Baker. Also here this evening is the site design engineer ASB Theodberry Berry is the representative and also the site contractor is here um Bobby Atunio
and um basically Millipur is seeking to add now we had to reduce by about two spaces 144 parking spaces at both 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive. Um 17 Cherry Hill Drive is the location for
the actual manufacturing facility. What Milliport does is it ma manufactures tools and equipment used in life sciences. Um and they also own the satellite parking at 12 Cherry Hill Drive. They bought these properties in
1996 and have been operating there ever since. Over time the buildings have expanded. There have been some expansion of the parking areas and then when the covid pandemic hit they had a tremendous expansion and a very large demand for the types of products they actually
manufactured. As a result of that they actually leased 54 Cherry Hill which is in the back of um this particular street and they now have given up that lease because the demand has most certainly declined from what it had been in the
2021 era. Notwithstanding the reduction in the demand, they still have been growing. Um, so they moved all of the manufacturing that had been placed to 54 back to 17. Currently, they have somewhere around 950 employees. Um,
during the COVID pandemic, just an example, they had,50 um, and used 54. So based on the reduction in the number of employees, they obviously could no longer support the manufacturing at 54 and again consolidated it at 17. Notwithstanding
any of that, they do run three shifts a day. So when you look at um the shifts and the way they run, it goes from 6 to 2:30, then from 2 to um 10:30. So you have a shift there about 400 people on
each shift and you have what they call, you know, some overlap and you need overlap because in manufacturing you need to be able to have positive handoff. You can't just have everybody walk out and then new people come in. So there's some overlapping of spaces. Right now 12 and 17 only have 318
parking spaces. Um, we still currently use some of 54 because the lease isn't up until 20, the end of 2025, December 20, December 31st. Um, currently there are about 80, sometimes 100 cars that park at 54, which all of those spaces
are going away. So, we really need to replenish and add here, which is why we're looking for that large number, 144 additional parking spaces. Um, Mr. George actually had come out to the site and walked it um to see, you know, how
the parking was set up. And when you do come to the site, you can see people are parking on portions of the grass because there's no place to park. Um and the problem with 54, as I said, as of December 31st, there will be no longer those parking spaces and we need a place
for our employees to go. Um and Mr. George during, you know, asked, okay, do you have plans to further expand? Honestly, the existing facility only has so much room. So, you know, the expansion is only going to work within the parking you approve hopefully this
evening. Um, and that will end up increasing us to 4 um 62 spaces total. And that will give us enough to handle our employees because as you know, your parking requirements say you should have one space for the largest um for every
employee on it during the largest shift. And while it's only 400, we have that overlap, which is why we're looking for the additional 60 parking spaces as well as sometimes we have overtime people who will be in and we need a little bit of additional space as well to handle that.
Um so we believe that the the plans that we submitted actually comply with the review standards. The reason we applied all the way in June, um the reason why we continued so many, well, two times before we came before this board is because we were trying to work out our issues with conservation and have done
so. Um we've created a plan that doesn't require any parking spaces within their 50-foot buffer. Um we actually only have 54 ft of pavement in the 54 buffer and it's only because we're trying to provide for safe access all the way around um parking lot A. I think that's
No, that's Yeah, that's A, right? The furthest one. on parking lot A. And what we end up doing is made it a one-way circulation to be able to reduce the footprint even more. And in fact, it made for a better a better circulation because we were able to move the drive to relatively close to where people
enter on 12's parking lot across the way. >> Um so at the present time, we do believe that the conservation commission, we've addressed all of their concerns and actually asked them to make that statement at the last hearing. Um we did put in we responded to all of the
comments from um the planning department and also from the engineering department uh relative to storm water landscaping. There were some questions about lighting. currently that that site is lighted to daylight and that actually
includes the area that is shown for both parking lots and I believe that we did show that as well during our site visit at the property um relative to storm um events for example snow storage we do propose to place storm um snow storage
on the rear part of that new parking lot C at the back I'm just going to show you >> this would be And the reason the reason is going to be located in um a paved area so that when the snow melts, it actually goes into
one of the storm basins and proceeds properly in accordance with the storm water plan as well as keeping it off any um buffer areas for the conservation commission because that's totally outside their jurisdiction and all buffers. Um, as I said, we did address
landscaping by planting along um, Cherry Hill. Um, which again was part of your design requirements based on all of those um, I guess conditions and based on all the satisfaction of the conditions that
or questions that were posed to us by engineering um, Kong as well as the planning department. We're seeking site plan review and approval by this board to allow us to add these parking spaces that we so desperately need. If you have any questions, we are all here to answer
them for you. Thank you. >> Great. Thank you very much. Uh thank you very much, Attorney Man. Appreciate it. And uh yeah, I do appreciate you um uh um offering the site visit as well as you mentioned um uh it was it was offered to members of the of the board and I I I happened to attend the this
the site visit yesterday uh accompanied also by Josh Morris of town staff. So uh so that was definitely helpful to sort of you know uh you know check out the area in in person. So um so let me go and uh thank you for that presentation. Let me turn things over to the members
of the board if they have any questions regarding this. Uh why don't I start begin with with Jean Hartlet. >> I don't really have any questions. I feel like you covered everything that I was wondering in your presentation. So, thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you, Jean. Um, Jim Sears, >> uh, the only question on that, if you could just highlight the landscaping changes and whether they're drought resistant and whether there's, um,
irrigation or not. As far as that, >> yes, absolutely. Um, can is it okay if I Oh, I just stay stand here and kind of I'll try to point. I'm not I don't have a >> I didn't bring a laser pointer, but So,
the landscape changes are So, we added the um boundary basically part of the screening and part of the appeal. So, when you go down Cherry Hill, it looks nice. And also, >> and the applicant, if if you don't mind actually just describing it as well, just so people at home who might be just seeing the big the screen which which
shows the plan, if you can just just sort of describe where it is. >> Absolutely. So in the boundary between the property and running along um Cherry Hill Drive all along the frontage that the property and the parking lot of butt in between the um right of way and the
parking area we have installed landscaping in the form of trees and shrubbery as well as boulders so that you can't drive over it. So basically protecting both the street and the property. So those were changes that were made within or along the right of
way for Cherry Hill Drive. In addition to that, we are proposing to restore the areas within the buffer and some within the wetland. In fact, because when we went out there, there was a tremendous number of invasive species. So what we
wanted to do is plant native species which will provide for better um for lack of a better terms um purification. Right? It it actually allows the storm water to actually infiltrate and then be cleansed better if you have the native species. They are drought tolerant. And
do we have um irrigation out there? I don't even know that we don't even have irrigation. So we did we did use plants that are drought tolerant um salt tolerant and tolerate both wet and dry. They're actually plants that will do
both. And we had to do that because if you can see >> around there now I'm going to explain >> along all the areas that are either represented by a swale and or go around a storm water basin we actually proposed additional planting to again support the
system in the storm water management facilities. Um so that's where we planted as well and we are making um also Mr. Sears there was a a basin that is used by an offsite property Abamemed. So Abamemed is to the north right up
here. So they actually have a storm water drain because they owned this driveway before they sold it to Millipur. The drain runs through Millipor's property and out to the back where they have a storm water basin. We have proposed to clean that and make it
a little more accessible because it is if it's functioning at all, it's poorly functioning. So once we make our repairs, it actually will be um much improved. >> Okay. The only other question, can you highlight the snow storage areas for the new parking? >> 100%. So I'm going to describe it, then
I'm going to go over there. So the conservation commission asked us to keep all snow storage out of their um buffer area and we thought it would be best to keep it completely out of the 100 foot area. So what we did is propose to keep it on pavement to the north on um area
um C. Now, you would think because I'm taking up parking spaces, I'm creating an issue, but honestly, when we plow in these very large storm events, a lot of our employees don't come in on that day and or we do delay start so that we don't have the shift change issue and we
do other things to for like the issues that are attendant when you're trying to plow and when you're trying to store the snow. So, we do that. We create an area and then we continue to move it and we don't typically have issues with any kind of parking space um deficit.
>> Are they designated on the plan? >> One minute. Let me ask did you designate this? Yes, it's Would you know which sheet it was on? I don't recall. >> So it's designated in the operations and maintenance plan on the storm water, but is it shown on any plan as being the stove storage area?
>> You got to show it on where you're going to store it. we can actually update it because it's only in the storm water management plan. >> Yeah. >> So, what we can do is just we'll um submit to Mr. Morris. We'll what we'll do is do a separate sheet. That'll be better so we don't have to change the
sheets you're looking at and we'll submit a so a snow storage sheet showing exactly where we'll store. >> Yeah. And we'll keep it off the landscaping and just show designated areas on site which is what we typically would would see. So, sure that'd be great. >> So, we can deliver that to Mr. Morris
tomorrow. Tomorrow. >> Great. Thank you. >> That's all I have. Look. >> Very good. Thank you. >> Okay. Um let's see. I think we uh uh Tim Spiddle, do you have any questions or comments for the applicant?
>> Uh just one sort of uh curious question because I think this is a great presentation. It's very well thought out. Makes makes a lot of sense. But so the 462 spaces um you you mentioned something about that's what you expect to need for the growth, but it does seem like it's you
know you're still pretty close to what your maximum number sizes right now. Were there any considerations for like structured parking or something that could give you a lot more wiggle room? >> So we don't believe we need structured parking because while the bylaw requires one per employee, there are employees who carpool, there are employees who
ride their bike. there are employees who take public transportation of some sort to come to the site. It's just that why we end up having that pinch point is is the shift change and we believe that we can manage that and then we have the overtime issue. So um uh Mr. Baker had
actually indicated to us that we do have additional space that will allow us growth. So we aren't concerned at all. So to put up an additional structure really isn't necessary >> because the facility itself will only handle so many employees. makes sense.
>> And would you like to address it? Do you mind if Mr. Baker just Sure. Okay. >> Yeah. It's uh Mark Baker from Miliport. Uh the growth that we would add, even if I was to add 70 or 80 people, the shifts that already have the overlap wouldn't get more than a couple of people each.
All of our off shifts, we run Saturday and Sunday, uh 12 hour shifts each time. So, we would be adding to those shifts, not more to here. We're already at our capacity pretty much there between engineering staff, support staff plus production folks. So all the production folks we would add would be to the off
shifts. So currently now our third shift or what we call C-shift uh is our lowest shift. We'll say 50 55 people. We can easily ramp that up to 130 or so people quickly there and then a little more also on the weekends. >> So that's where you would add the capacity to stay away from that challenge growing. Makes sense.
>> And then the problem for the second structure is I got to remove the people, put them somewhere during construction. I just not quite sure how that's going to happen feasibly. >> Okay, >> makes sense. Thank you. No other questions from me. >> Okay, thank you, Tim. Uh, Michael Doulus.
>> Thanks, Lou. Uh, nice presentation. Appreciate it. Uh, just a quick comment. Parking lot B, it looks like at the end, which I apologize. I'm not sure if plan north is on. Oh, yeah. Plan north. So, plan north of parking lot B. The turnaround there looks a little smaller than the one on parking lot C. And I just get a little nervous that if people
drive down there and there's no parking, they might get kind of tucked in there, but you guys might have already thought of that. I'm not sure dimensionally if it if it works out. Uh, right where it says parking lot B C sheet C5. Yeah, if you drive all the way down there, looks like you might get stuck if there's no parking spots at the end of there. But you guys might have already thought of
that. We actually did look at that and um because it's only one parking space and over here there were two we felt that that was sufficient and >> Sure. Yeah. Just a comment and then the other comment was at the other end of that parking lot the way it runs into the existing parking lot and into Cherry
Street. I just get concerned with like people coming out of there quickly and people coming out of the main parking lot and the new parking lot and coming into the parking lot and it just being like it's not set back off of the off the entrance at all. So I just get concerned that there's a little bit of congestion or potential like accidents
with like speeding or something like that or if people are trying to get to work on time or leave. >> So what we do now currently is on the side of the building which isn't pitch well a little bit is pictured on the top. Uh the intent is to try to use supervisors uh lead folks and so on that tend to leave at a slightly different time than the regular production staff
>> to prevent that. So we will ask them assigned parking in that lot again because it's 26 27 spots because we don't have enough on the top side of the building right now for all of our managers and supervisors. So that's the intent. So they wouldn't even be down in there >> for that most part and we would everybody would park in all the rest of
the uh of the area to alleviate that. >> Great. Thanks. That's my only comment. Nice job concern. >> Yeah. Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Okay. Um turning to me I don't um uh in terms of I think any questions I had have been um have been addressed. I did
appreciate the opportunity to to to participate in the site visit. Um, so that was helpful to be able to sort of see things in, you know, in in sort of uh sort of in real life. Um, I did just with respect, this is more of a question for town staff for Josh, with respect to
the um to the submittal of a of a separate stone storage sheet that they're going to be submitting. Um, is that something should we should that be incorporated as a condition? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Um, it should just be, you know, prior to endorsement. And the applicant will provide um a no storage
sheet to the plan set and that should be satisfactory. >> Okay. As no storage and and and for the applicant, you understand we would we would add that as a condition to the um uh to the approval with respect to submitting a um a separate snow storage sheet.
>> Absolutely. And we accept the condition. >> Okay. Very good. All right. Well, there are no other further questions from members of the board. Uh this is a public hearing. So I was going to see if any members of the public had any questions or comments with respect to this uh to this request.
>> Josh, do we >> No. >> Is there anyone who's No. >> No. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Very good. Okay. There's no no public questions or comments. I will come back to the board. Um, if the uh I'd
entertain a motion to close the public hearing uh for 12 and 17 uh Cherry Hill Drive. >> I make a motion to close the public hearing for 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive. >> Okay. Motion's been made by Gene Hart.
Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Tim Spiddle. Very good. Um any discussion on the motion to close the public hearing? Hearing none, I'm going to call for a roll call vote. Uh, Jean Hartnett, >> yes.
>> Uh, Jim Sears, >> yes. >> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. >> Uh, Michael Doulus, >> yes. >> And I say yes. Okay. So, moving on now to the uh to the site plan review
application itself. Um, we do have a draft decision in our uh in our packet and I I'll ask the the clerk uh to read into the uh make a motion and read into the decision and and do remember that there is a we did want to have we have the additional condition with respect to
snow storage. >> Okay, >> I leave it to you J. >> Okay. Site plan review 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive. Date of application June 12th, 2025. Date of hearing August 12th, 2025. Date of decision, August 12th, 2025. The Danverse planning board finds
the site plan submitted by EDM Milliport Corporation for property at 12 Cherry Hill Drive, assessors map 37, lot 38 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive, Assessor's Map 29, lot 1 to be in substantial compliance with the criteria and regulations adopted by the town. Details of the plan
review can be found on the following plans. Site plan review and notice of intent plans. EDM Millibore Corporation 12 and 17 Cherry Hill Drive, Danver's Mass01923 prepared by ASB Design Group LLC dated June 9th, 2025, revised to August 8th,
2025, consisting of 14 sheets. Figures for site plan prepared by ASB Design Group LLC dated June 9th, 2025, revised to July 23rd, 2025, consisting of seven sheets. Parking space plan prepared by ASB Design Group LLC dated
July 23rd, 2025 consisting of three sheets. Planting plan prepared by ASB Design Group LLC dated July 30th, 2025 consisting of three sheets. Supporting material include HydroCAD report summaries prepared by ASB Design Group
LLC dated June 9th, 2025. Operation and maintenance plan prepared by ASB Design Group LLC dated June 9th, 2025. Invasive plan management plan IPMP prepared by Norse Environmental Services Incorporated
dated July 23rd, 2025. Riverfront and buffer zone restoration planing plan prepared by Norris Environmental Services Incorporated dated July 30th, 2025. The following submission requirements have been waved. One section 4.3.1 title
sheet. The land use of each lot and zoning district boundaries are not shown on the plan. Existing contours at 1 ft intervals are shown on the existing conditions and topographic plans. C2 two section 4.3.2 site analysis plan. Site
analysis plan is entitled the existing conditions and topographic plans. C2 a note containing the number and total DBH of all trees is not shown on the plan. Three. Section 4.3.3 dimensional regulations plan. No dimensional
regulations plan submitted. All lot lines are shown on existing conditions and topographic plans C2 and overall site plan C3. Four. Section 4.3.4 site construction plan. Site construction plan is entitled the overall site plan C3. The dimensions of the parking lot
drive aisles are shown on site plan parking lot B and C. C5. There is no table indicating amount of earth material to be removed, added or reused. Five, section 4.3.6 utilities plan. No utilities plan submitted. The location and details of the proposed storm drain
system is shown on overall site plan C3. Site plan parking lot A, C4, site plan parking lot B and C, C5, and BMP details C7 and C8. Six, section 4.3.7, landscape plan. No landscape plan submitted. Existing and
proposed grades are shown on the overall site plan. C3, a plan of plants to be used and the methods for protecting the plant materials during construction are shown on landscape details C12. Wetland boundaries are shown on the existing conditions and topographic plans C2 and
overall site plan C3. Seven section 4.3.8 off- streetet parking and loading plan. The off- streetet parking and loading plan is entitled the overall site plan C3. The dimensions of the parking lot drive aisles are shown on site plan parking lot B and C. C5. The
construction details and type of material is shown on the site drainage details. C10. A parking table is shown on the parking space plan. Figure 1. 8. Section 4.3.9 lighting plan. No lighting plan is submitted. The following requirements from the zoning bylaw have
been waved. Section 10.3.8.3 width of parking spaces. Parking spaces are required to have a minimum width of 9 ft. The project proposes parking spaces with a width of 8.5 ft. Conditions of approval. The project is subject to the f following conditions.
One, prior to the issuance of a building permit, this site plan decision shall be recorded at the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds. Two, the applicant will satisfy all the comments in the Danver's engineering division memorandum dated August 12th, 2025. Three, if there are
any changes to the approved plans, the use or the condition. >> I was just gonna say um the the snow one maybe, but it's >> that was I was going to do four. >> Yeah, that's fine. >> Okay, >> that's fine. >> Um planning staff will review. If deemed a major change by staff, the applicant
will have to apply for a new application for site plan review. Four, prior to approval, the applicant will submit a snow storage sheet to town staff. This project is subject to the attached list of general conditions. Is that okay? Any approval of this site plan
review shall lapse within 3 years from the grant thereof if construction has not begun by such date. >> Okay. Very good. A motion's been made. One one quick question. I I know Gene mentioned in terms of as to the I think she said prior to approval with respect
to the snow storage. Would it be proper to say prior to endorsement? >> Yeah. Yes. But yeah, that's what I would write. But yeah. Yep. >> Okay. Okay. Is that okay, J? >> Yep. >> Okay. Very good. Uh, so a motion's been made uh by Jean. Is there a second on the motion? >> Second.
>> Okay. Second by Tim. Very good. Um, any uh any further discussion on the on on the motion? Hearing none, I'm going to call for a roll call vote. Uh, Jean Hartnett, >> yes. >> Jim Sears, >> yes.
>> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. Mike Doulus. >> Yes. >> And I say yes. Okay. Very good. So the application has been uh has been approved. Good luck. >> Thank you very much. Appreciate. >> Okay.
>> Thank you. Okay. Let's move on to the uh the fifth and final agenda item for this evening. It's a public hearing for 200 Endicott Street. It's a request for a site plan review and signage waivers submitted by
Raising Canes Restaurants LLC pursuant to section 4 site plan review in section 37.2B3 signage waiverss of the zoning bylaw. Said property is in the commercial 3C3 zoning district. The applicant proposes the standalone restaurant with a
drive-thru and associated site modifications. The applicant proposes one freestanding sign, four attached wall signs, and three other signs on the building for a total of eight signs where only two maximum signs are allowed. Map 62, lot five. Uh, and uh,
if the applicant is uh is here, they can introduce themselves and and they may begin. >> Thank you very much. My name is Nancy McCann. I'm here on behalf of Raising Canes Restaurants LLC, the applicant, and we are uh seeking site plan review
and a signage waiver uh for the proposed new location of a Raising Canes restaurant at 200 Indicott Street in the C3 zoning district. I have uh our team with me tonight. I have uh Melissa Bratul uh with Raising Canes. Uh Matt
Ashley uh the project engineer from Bowler Engineering. Uh Jason Adams from Bowman, our traffic engineer, and Siddhi from uh uh Bowler uh engineering uh to speak to landscaping. We also have some
folks remotely with us. Uh Michelle Robinson, site designer. Uh Spencer McNichols uh also site designer. and uh Jennifer Squires um who has put together our signage package. Uh so we have a a
full compliment here to uh to present this to you this evening and uh we're uh we hope you're all hungry so we can we can talk chicken. Um we are seeking site plan review. We're also seeking a signage waiver uh from
this planning board. Uh this may be the first time I believe that you've uh been asked to discuss a signage waiver and under section 37 of the zoning bylaw the planning board is in fact uh in this case where we have site plan review is
the authority to issue a waiver for a signage package and uh so that's a a change to the bylaw over time u that uh that we're dealing with in this particular case. So we are seeking the signage waiver and the criteria for a
signage waiver is that uh the proposed package uh does not provide any substantial detriment. There will be no substantial detriment that will result and that's under section 37 of your uh zoning bylaw. And we certainly think the
the signed package as uh we'll uh present to you tonight uh is attractive. It's appropriate for the location and it follows the branding of the uh the Raising Canes restaurant. Um Raising Canes, if you could switch to the next
slide, please. Uh Raising Canes was founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And as of yesterday, there are 919 Raising Canes restaurants throughout the United States. By the end of this year,
we're anticipating 10 restaurants in Massachusetts will be up and operating. You may be familiar with the relatively new newly opened Raising Canes in SUS. Um, Raising Canes is a is a company that
really prides itself not only on the quality of specifically its chicken tenders, uh, but also as an active community member. Uh, Raising Canes focuses on chicken tenders, French fries, coleslaw, and a chicken
sandwich. And that's a that's about it. It's a limited menu. Uh, but they specialize in that. And the the chicken tenders are really uh exceptional. If we could go to the next slide, please. Um, this is a proposal again for 200
Endicott Street. That is the site of the Fidelity building which is um a rather drab building on that corner. Um and that is proposed to be removed. The Fidelity building is 6,64
square ft with three um with three curb cuts. We're replacing that structure. So, removing the Fidelity building and replacing that with a smaller restaurant building of 3,378 square feet and two curb cuts.
The restaurant use uh it is a a fast food restaurant uh as that's defined under the zoning bylaw. That is a permitted use in the C3 zoning district. This site will have a double drive-thru. that is also a permitted use in the C3
zoning district. The entire site has been designed uh to be in full compliance with the zoning bylaw. Um the application package that you have received is uh quite extensive and complete. You have the application
itself, the filing fee of course, project narrative which is quite detailed. A drainage report was submitted. We have a traffic study that was prepared by Bowman uh and a full civil uh site plan set as well as an
architectural plan set. And of course the the sign package was a its separate uh separate booklet. on uh sheet uh or page two I should say of the project narrative you have a chart which details full compliance with all of the
dimensional and density requirements under the C3 zoning district for this site. I will point out that the both the building coverage as well as the impervious uh coverage generally uh for
the site is uh far below uh permitted percentages in this zoning district but are also a significant reduction over existing conditions both for building as well as imperous coverage. So that's a it's certainly an improvement. A portion
of this property is located in puberty. However, uh the entire building itself is located in Danverse. Um if you could go to the next slide, please. This gives you the uh the existing
Fidelity building that will be removed and replaced with uh with the raising canes restaurant and um some significant new uh very attractive landscaping both trees and shrubs as uh indicated on the landscaping plan as well as in the
project narrative. Um you could go to the next slide please. And the next the uh the restaurant uh again provides very high quality chicken meals. Has hours of operation 7 days a week from
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Uh meeting the the needs. This is in a commercial zoning district. Um we have no residential abutters here. Um it's an active uh commuting route. We have the new Logan Express that operates all uh
throughout the the night. We have emergency uh responders uh and others. Third shift employees. I think Millipur that you just heard uh heard from works three shifts. So this provides a a good food opportunity for for those workers
throughout the evening. And um again timing as proposed is permitted in damage so that we we don't need any relief for the the uh operational time periods. Um
the restaurant will provide a good uh employment opportunity as well. 55 new uh jobs are anticipated. 12 uh employees on the largest shift. As you'll see throughout the presentation and as demonstrated in the
narrative, um there were certainly uh conversations and meetings with planning staff and engineering staff throughout the design uh development process. And this is an intentional design put together to uh meet the needs of the
restaurant, the circulation for its customers and importantly to meet the density and uh dimensional uh design requirements under the zoning bylaw. So we are in full compliance uh with those items. Um, at this point I will turn it
over to Matt Ashley, the project engineer, and then you'll hear from the traffic engineer, uh, our landscape architect, uh, and then, uh, from Melissa, uh, with Raising Canes to discuss architecture and signage. Thank you.
>> Great. Thank you. >> Matthew Ashley with Bowler Engineering, uh, civil site engineer for the development. Um, so up here is just a kind of blowout of the area to kind of get your bearings. So across the street is Silven Street Grill. The big star there is obviously the site that we're
looking to uh redevelop uh located at Silven Street and Endicott Street. As Nancy mentioned, there's currently three curb cuts that exist out there today. Um, in part of coordinating with both uh towns and cities, we are proposing only
two um and further restricting the entrance on Silven Street. Um, currently that's a full access driveway that will now be a right in right out. And then the third entrance located up um to the top right corner there will be closed off. Um that'll be part of the
drive-thru operation in that corner. Uh if you go to the next slide, please. So this is just a closer view to kind of give you uh what's out there today. So as you can see, it is largely an impervious area. There is some landscaping around the outside, a couple
of trees. Um, and then some lowlevel ground plantings. And then down to the south is Waters River located in PBD. Um, so as part of our new plan, we'll be increasing uh pvious area about by 17%
um out here as Nancy mentioned. So uh quite a bit of more pvious area. Um, and Sadiv will get into this later as well, but we are saving most of the existing trees out there as well. Um, as along with planting some additional ones. Um, and I'm just going to walk up to the screen real quick and I'll try to
describe it for those viewing. Uh, just give you an idea of where the um, uh, town line is for reference. >> And do you want a laser? >> You have one. >> I'll do my arm method for now. But
essentially, You go to the next slide, please, Josh. >> And there you go. That's a better representation than my arm that everyone can see. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Right there. Awesome. Uh, next slide,
please. So, what you see here is the proposed development. So, we are looking at a 3,300 square f foot plus or minus quicks serve restaurant with dual drive-thru that wraps around uh in a counterclockwise
manner. Um with the new layout, we are proposing 29 parking spaces um that meet both um PBD and Danver's parking requirements uh reducing impervious area by about 17%
um along with um some other site improvements as well. Uh it is a little unique in the fact that the building in the drive-thru is solely located in Danverse and then all the parking is located in Peody. Um so that's just a little fun fact about the
site. Uh as mentioned earlier, this driveway entrance located down on plan South is currently a full access driveway in coordination with PBD. They wanted that to be a right in right out. Um and there is a island in there to
further restrict that movement. And then this secondary entrance up here located on Endicott Street um will be a right in and right out as well just given that there is a median that runs down Endicott Street. And then the third location was closed off and that would
have been located up in this area here. As far as um storm water improvements and utilities, utility connections are all through the through Danvers and they go back out into Endicott Street in various locations. Kind of kind of see these uh limiter works that go out
there. And as far as storm water perspective, there is no storm water management on the site in the existing conditions. Everything flows from plan north to plan south and goes right directly into Waters River. Um so as part of our improvements we will be
having fully curbed parking lot area that will be collect the storm water through deep sumped catch basins or a vegetative grass swale um will either go into a subsurface infiltration system or a surface uh u infiltration system as
well. So from a storm water perspective um vastly improved from the current conditions. Um, all the storm water management features are located down in Peodyy. Um, but we do have some catch basins located in the drive-thru as well that collect
storm water runoff. Uh, next slide please. Uh, this is just what we submitted here and you'll find in your uh, site development plan package that was submitted. Um, just a little more detail, a little more busy. Um, just for
reference. Go to the next slide please. lighting. Um so as part of the redevelopment, we did supply a full lighting plan with associated details that is compliant with um Danverse. Um but essentially everything is uh
polemounted or building mounted out there underneath the canopies appropriate with the type of use out here. um focusing on intersections and uh pedestrian connectivity um to make sure they have adequate levels and is pretty much level throughout the site uh
plus or minus and everything is fully cut off and shielded uh no upward lighting on the site features um and then is minimized from property overflow and with that I will hand it off to Sadi
to talk about some landscaping. Okay, if you can just introduce yourself for the record and and you can present when you're ready. >> So, my name is Siddhiwa Ghoulikar. I'm a landscape architect with Polar Engineering.
So, as a part of landscape design, as a part of landscape design, we are proposing a very diverse plant palette that includes both native and adaptive plantings. uh majority of plantings that are used here are uh salt tolerant and drought
tolerant but at the same time uh all the plantings that we are using are essentially ideal for the urban suitable for the urban conditions where the site is located. Um selected plants once established which is typically establishment period is typically 2 to 3 years once established they will have
minimal water needs. So as you can see on the rendered plan here uh we are providing 20 foot wide buffer along the street edge uh along both streets and the uh landscape strip contains uh shade trees, shrubs uh
ornamental grasses, perennials and ground covers and also part of lawn. In addition to this periphereral landscaping, we are also proposing some foundation planting closer to the building itself. Uh apart from uh proposed landscaping, we have made
maximum efforts to save the existing planting to the extent possible and that includes three uh large shade trees uh along both streets. Um in addition to that, if you look at the plan south area where the uh wetland system is located,
uh we have maintained uh the existing vegetation buffer as is. uh during the design process uh we uh saw that uh there was uh there was a smaller portion where there was a considerable amount amount of erosion. So we have also provided some restorative planting uh
native plantings uh within that zone. Next slide please. So uh this slide essentially essentially shows uh different uh different proposed plants that we are using uh on this project. And as you can see how the
plant palette is very diversified. It's going to create a really nice visual interest throughout the season in terms of its color, its form uh and even the textural difference between different plant varieties. uh uh in addition to the visual visual
interest during the uh growing season, we have also incorporated uh uh good amount of evergreen plantings and the plant and shrubs that have uh like uh uh that can retain berries during winter season or that can have interesting
branching pattern to create that winter interest as well and that can landscape. Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh good evening for the record. Jason Adams with Bowman Consulting. Uh we were hired to prepare a traffic impact study
uh reviewing the potential impacts of the project. Uh so we have a we have a study area that focuses on the two site driveways uh as well as the adjacent signalized intersection of Endeott Street and Silven Street. Um if you want to go to the next slide. Uh we had
prepared a scoping letter uh that we submitted to the town and worked through a couple changes that were incorporated from both planning and engineering. Um our traffic data was collected in April of this year. Uh we collected from noon
until 8:00 p.m. on a weekday on a Thursday. And then we collected data from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on a Saturday. Uh in order to determine the weekday midday or lunch lunchtime peak hour as well as the weekday afternoon um kind of the early dinner commuter peak
hour. And then we looked at a Saturday midday peak hour as well. um especially along a a commercial corridor like this and knowing that the the lunch time of of raising canes is a is a peak period consideration. Um we reviewed available
crash data from mast for the most recent 5-year period which is 2017 to 2021. Um we took our existing conditions forecasted those into the future year of uh 2032 7-year build uh program which is consistent with massot guidelines. uh
factoring in uh available background growth rate as well as traffic volume data from um known adjacent developments. Uh if you want to go to the next slide. Uh we then completed a trip generation assessment of the project site using
data published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Uh a good amount of the the traffic to a a project site like this is considered to be pass by traffic which are vehicle trips already traveling past the site. so that they're not an additional trip uh to the Endicott Street or Silven Street
corridors, but instead are a vehicle that's already going from point A to point B that would potentially access the project site uh as a matter of convenience. Um so then we we looked at the uh the project trip distribution uh taking a look at existing travel
patterns as well as the project access. It's it's fairly unique access with right in right out uh access only as as Matt went through. uh we do see that as an improvement um over existing conditions. Uh we then completed a capacity analysis uh using the synchro
capacity analysis software to review the um traffic operations during existing conditions and and here in 2025 as well as future conditions in 2032 with and without without the project site uh to understand the potential uh impacts of
the project. Um, as part of our field work and in concert with Matt and his team, we also completed a site distance assessment of both driveways, uh, work with the landscape architecture team, uh, to make sure that sight lines are clear, uh, so that vehicles entering and
exiting the sites can do so safely. Next slide. Uh, and just just some conclusions from our study. Um the mass DOT data shows that crash rates uh at both the signalized intersections as well as the existing driveways are well below state
and mass DOT district 4 averages. Um we'd see a minimal impact to the the traffic study uh area intersections as a result of the project. Um we did determine that available sight distance uh meets uh the required and recommended
ASTJO guidelines uh at both driveways and uh overall we we see the consolidation of access uh from the two driveways to one on Endicott Street as well as the right in right out only uh at both driveways to be a overall improvement in terms of access management uh at the project site and
along the corridor. With that I can turn it over to Melissa. Okay, thank you. >> Hi, good evening. My name is Melissa Brochel and I am the property development manager for Raising Canes Northeast. Um, I wanted to just go over
some of the um elements of our architectural features uh for the exterior of the building. But first, I would like to go into just a little bit more about our operations. Um, and give you a little bit of history about the background of Raising Canes, uh, which will make a little bit more sense when
we go into the signage. Um, so as far as, uh, Nancy had given the history, uh, Raising Keane started at the Southgates of LSU in 1996 by our founder Todd Graves. Um, he is still our owner and CEO today. Um, so he has withstood the
test of time for a building uh, building a a new brand. Um as far as his uh his history goes, uh he had started this idea uh in a business class that he was enrolled in uh when he was in college. And the business the professor had come
up with a uh a task for all the students and the task was he wanted to have uh each student come up with an idea for a business that could withstand the test of time. And Todd, loving chicken fingers, thought, what better way to
start this than to start the restaurant and come up with the idea for a chicken finger restaurant that is fast and delicious uh and can also withstand the test of time. Unfortunately, Todd got the lowest grade in the class because the professor thought that this was an
unattainable goal. Uh so it only lit a fire in Todd to figure out a way to make it work. Um, fast forward a few years, he started out, uh, he realized that he needed to make some money um, for the growing business. So, he became a Sakai
salmon fisherman as well as a boiler in Alaska. Um, you'll see some of those elements come up in the signage in a little bit. Uh, after he was the Sakai salmon fisherman and the boiler, um, he was able to raise enough money to, uh,
build his first restaurant. um he had found a location uh that was a little small corner property and he ended up doing the demolition of it. And while he was doing the demolition himself, uh him and the partner that he had started the company with um they had uncovered a lot
of cool uh little decor elements that we still use in the restaurant today. Um you'll see a lot of disco balls. Uh that was actually the very first piece of decor uh that hung in the restaurant to kind of give it a little bit of life. Uh there was a um a skylight in the middle
of the very first restaurant that we actually call the mothership. It's still open and operating today. Um and that disco ball was really the first piece of decor. As well as uh you'll also see some of the interior elements that we have also are incorporated. Um we have a
velvet Elvis. Uh our owner loves uh Elvis, so we like to incorporate that in every restaurant that we have. Um and then fast forwarding uh to today um we again have uh over 900 restaurants in the US. Each restaurant is individual to
the location that it's in. Um we pride ourselves on uh making sure that we are very uh in tune with the community. So we have a specific team that goes in to make sure that the decor both inside the restaurant and outside the restaurant are um very attachable to the local
community. Um, going back to the architectural elevations, I just want to kind of go down list by list. Um, the very first elevation that you'll see is the front elevation. We've got the, uh, standard K's mural. Uh, you can see to the left there, that is the drive-thru
canopy that helps to, um, shade some of the weather elements for the customers picking up at the pickup window as well as for the drivers that are in the drive-thru waiting for their food. Um, another item to mention, and I apologize, I'm kind of going back and forth a little bit. Uh, Nancy, or yeah,
Nancy had mentioned earlier that, um, Raising Canes has a, uh, focused menu. So, it's chicken fingers, crinkle cut fries, buttered bread, cane sauce, and a drink. Uh, with that being said, you don't have a whole lot of options. So, as our customers come into the
drive-thru, we know that you're going to order chicken fingers. We just don't know how many. So, our speed of service is very quick, and we pride ourselves on that. From the moment you get into the drive-thru to and place your order to the moment you pick up your food, it's about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. So, we
try to be as efficient as possible with that focused menu. Um, and as you can see, again, just tying in that canopy, uh, we just do that to make sure that everyone is kind of safe from the elements. Uh, there is also fans and lighting on that as well, just for the
different uh, seasons. the uh second elevation that you see, that is the uh that's our drive-through elevation. Again, this is the drive-thru canopy in the middle underneath the uh Can's wall sign. And to the left of that, you'll actually see the Can's
mural uh which is again specific to each community that we're in. This would be listed as Danvers. Um and this is what the uh drive-through area would look like as people are waiting for their food. Um, one thing to note here is that this again very specific to each
community that we're in and it is a very big social media presence. Um, Kanees tends to have a cult following. Uh, we're very uh it our expansion is uh drastically improving in the northeast. So, people are actually traveling to these different locations that we're
opening up to take pictures in front of the specific murals. Um, we also have those listed uh located on the inside as well. So, there's different features that they can do uh to take some social media uh photos. Um the third elevation you'll see is the rear elevation. Uh
this is the back of the building that's facing uh to the east. Um this is this will show our trash enclosure area, excuse me, our trash enclosure area as well as our corral where we keep additional trash and refues um as we bring it back and forth to the trash
enclosure. And then down at the bottom is the uh the rear elevation. Um we have the one love canopy letters that are posted on top of the canopy as well as the uh another wall sign and the red dog banner. Um the one that's shown on this
is actually an older version of our red dog. Uh we have a newer updated graphic that we can share as well. Um that is a little bit different, but it's uh just to point that out. I know you guys are seeing the the dog feature. Uh Kane is
actually our uh our owner and CEO's dog. Uh we are now on Kane 3. Um so we needed to update the graphic just to make sure that we were with the times. Uh next slide, please. Again, you'll see um we are asking for more signage than what is allowed by
code. However, we do feel that this is our standard package and it with Raising Canes being a new brand, um the presence and the visibility is extremely important for people to understand where they're going, what they're where uh where the entrances are and uh where
what Raising Canes is all about. Um next slide, please. All right, so I'll start with the front west elevation. This is facing Silvin Street. Um the only sign that we are requesting uh for this elevation is the
uh wall sign which is the 4x8 standard wall sign. It's 24.14 square ft. That would be going over the front uh entrance way. Uh on the north drive-thru elevation, we are proposing two signs
for this elevation. One is the uh standard Keynes mural uh that is again specific to the town of Danvers and we have the uh the 4x8 wall sign going above the pickup window area. Next slide please.
Uh this is the east rear elevation. Again uh it is facing uh a street that has visibility. So we are asking for an additional wall sign that will be going over uh the one of the exit doors. And then on the south side entry elevation, we are requesting uh three different
signs here. The first sign to your left is one love canopy letters. They are internally lit. Um and they are they are uh situated above the canopy. Again, a fourth wall sign. Uh that's a 4x8 that would be going above the entrance way.
And then the uh red dog banner um which would be updated with our current graphic. Next slide, please. I think that might be it. >> That might be it. >> Uh, any questions? >> Thank you.
>> All right. So, I think we've given you um a pretty thorough uh presentation. Um, you do have some department comments from the engineering department. Uh Matt Ashley and his team have been working
with the engineering department and will be submitting a response memo um which the responses they have already uh met last week with the engineering department and have gone through all of those. There are no outstanding items or
issues uh related to those comments. Um, one of the comments that uh has been received um from the engineering department indicated that the engineering department was recommending a uh traffic peer review
uh for a very limited uh number of items. Uh really just one particular entrance and exit point that they uh are suggesting a peer review. Uh that's up to the board of course as to whether you think that that's required or not. Um
and uh that would have to be completed. That obviously has not been undertaken uh yet. Um I think that is it. This is kind of an exciting new restaurant uh to come into
town. And I think we have I don't know whether we said that we had uh 50 indoor seats. Uh and again the parking requirement has been met. Um, Peabody is looking at this uh as well both from conservation commission in Peabodyy as
well as uh their site plan review because we do have some parking spaces although the entire building is located in Danvers and Peabody is looking at that and we'll um anticipate uh a vote on that at the Peabody meeting in first
week of September um for that that section of the project. So, um, with that, uh, we have the full team here. We've got some folks remotely as well. We would be happy to answer any questions. >> Okay, great. Thank you very much,
Attorney McCann. Thank you all the presenters. And, um, so, uh, yeah. And so just so I have um I just want to before I turn it over to the board for questions, uh I just did want to touch base with with Josh with town staff with respect to so um so what was what
attorney McKan referenced was the I believe this was the engineering memo from August 12th. That's a that's a recommendation for a traffic peer review. Is that right, Josh? Um yes, the engineering department in their initial memo uh mentioned the
um recommended a peer review and then I think I believe with engineering um being in touch with the development team um that other document that was dated uh August 12th which I think you're referencing um was provided to the planning
department today um going over a a scope of of a potential peer review. >> Okay, got it. Okay, very good. Just want to see what's what's potentially out there. Okay, so what and what we're also
looking for today, at least what's what's before us is both a a request for sign uh for site plan review as well as well as the signage waivers. Correct. >> That's right. >> Okay. Got it. All right. Um, sorry. I'm going to go and um uh turn things over
to the to the board if they have uh questions or or comments regarding the proposal. Um, why don't I start things out with um uh with Jim Sears? >> Okay. I had a few questions. Um, let me get back to the plan. So, excuse me,
Nancy. How many seats did you say were inside of the building? >> 50. >> 50. Okay. And the 29 parking spots, how many people on the largest shift? How many employees? >> 12. >> So, we felt that 29 parking spots are
sufficient to handle 50 seats and 12 employees. >> Yes, that's uh meets the requirement under the bylaw. I guess my biggest concern is is the movements and the access to the site where we're taking a site that was
pretty docile with the the fidelity use and we're adding an enormously long queuing uh driveway um for the um the drive-thrus where you have up to 20 cars potentially. And we're coming off of the southern end
I guess of Silven Street or at least promoting that as maybe the major access or the maybe it's the end of street. I can't really tell. But if I'm coming down uh in a southernly way on Silven Street and I forget to take that left to access
the spot and I decide at the last minute I need that chicken finger sandwich and I want to take that turn after I go past the, you know, pretty busy Silven Street parking lot approaching the Bagel World parking lot.
Uh it's going to be difficult for me to cross over at that point. So, it would seem to me we want to maybe discourage that because once people start going because there's a lot of queuing right there. There's a ton of queuing as you
get to that light on any given day and if people are going to be crossing over uh in that area that that concerns me. I'm wondering if there was any thought to giving flipping the direction of the cars from the I'm calling south to north
direction to the opposite direction where you come off of Endicott, come in that way and proceed downward through the um drive-thru
to then exit out um onto Silven Street. But again, you're still going to have a problem if you're going to try to go you're not going to be able to go left there. It's going to be it's going to be kind of a congested area. I'm wondering if any thought was given to going the opposite direction and maybe is there
another way if we if we opened up that third if we didn't close that third exit point, would that help alleviate some of this? I I I don't know. It just seems, you know, we'll talk about the signs later, which I think are way too many for one location. Um, but I I don't know
if we could address that the turning movements on the site. That's my biggest concern. >> Okay. Um, I just want to I definitely want to turn this over to our traffic engineer, but you could turn in here, >> which I think is the preferred route.
>> Well, you can do that, of course, >> or you can turn in here and get there. So you >> crossing over those two lanes I think is going to tie up the whole bottle of works there cuz it gets very congested. >> This is why I'm handing handing you
>> Thank you. >> It's just this top button or this button. >> Um so th to be clear this this driveway would not allow that left turn your >> identify yourself again for the record. >> Uh sorry Jason Adams with Bowman
Consulting. the the driveway uh along Silvin Street here would be would be right turn in, right turn out only. Um we had extensive conversation with uh with Peodyy uh as well as with uh Danver staff as well. Um so this this was an issue that was raised. Um I'll just make
the point that the signage is not exactly my business, but the additional visibility of the signage is probably going to help you not forget that you want the chicken as you're coming south and able to take that left. So So there is a Are we putting a jersey barrier? How are we going to prevent people from
taking that left? >> Uh there there'll be signage. Um there the design of of this driveway here has been updated. Matt, this is right. There's there's a bit of an update to the configuration of this driveway.
>> Yeah. Sorry, Matt. Ashley with Bowler. So, we've been working with uh PBD's engineers and it's really gotten bulked up and it's an actual island now that forces you in either directions and it kind of expands out even more now. Um cuz they had the same concerns that you
had. So, it it has really been beefed up and you're not going to want to take that left across the two sides there. >> So, if I'm thinking of taking the left, I'm going to see an island that's going to prevent me from wanting to take the left. Is that what you're saying?
So, I'm just going to have to go turn around in the bagel world parking lot and go the other way. I >> I mean, I guess I'll I'll just offer that the way that most people travel is either you're familiar with the area already. This is something you come to on a semi-regular basis at least. Um, or
you'll be using wayfinding. the wayfinding will know that this here is a prohibited movement and therefore if you're just if you're just following your wayfinding you'll be taking the left onto Anticott Street and entering via that access
point. So there there's I I would say there's very few people that are not either following wayfinding or don't already know the area well enough to know how to get into out of a a site that they would be going to with with any regularity. Um and again that the at
the advertising the signage does does help promote that. We are we're working one of the uh comments that we received from engineering was to uh increase the amount of wayfinding on the site. So that includes vehicles getting onto the site as well as getting around the site to to help make that more obvious um
than what was originally proposed here. So we'll be we'll be expanding upon that way finding and looking to draw people in. Again, our our aim is is safety. Um, >> we don't that vehicle down here either. >> Noon time on a Monday. People are
looking for their fast food options on Dendicott Street, which is the new similar to the auto mile across on 114. Now we have the fast food mile. Right. So now we're going to take our left, enter the site. I'm sorry, our right
down Endicott, enter the site, go through the drive-thru down below, and then come up. But if we want to get back on Silvin, we don't want to get bothered by taking that Endeott Street turn. So, we're going to go down the the southern end. And how are we going to kind of prevent
all these turning movements to kind of people are going to want to get into the Silver Street lane. So, they're not going to be in the right lane. They're going to come over into the other lane. But, we're going to be doubly congested there because we have a a serviceable light that's going to be keep uh we're going to have to adjust the traffic
light. How does how is that if if we're if we're going to have, you know, it it seems to me the focus of the restaurant is more drive-thru oriented than seated, right? Today, people going to zip through the drive-thru, grab their food, and go. And we got to get them in and
off the site safely without these congested movements. And if you know, as you know, in front of that site that that is, and I work over in that area, it's always notoriously congested, especially coming up from the from the
the south, if you will. Um, that that's that's probably my biggest concern. And did you consider going the other way or did you consider um you the other direction for the drive-thru or did you consider maybe keeping that? Um, I I
guess you can't keep that other exit open cuz it won't make sense with a drive-thru. >> Yeah, I mean, we went through a number of iterations as we do with with any process. And uh I mean, Matt can speak to some specifics about this, but the this was really the only way to lay out the site to get all of the needs of of
Canes in terms of parking and and drive-through queuing as well as providing access to both roadways. Um I I'll offer that the the access is is quite similar to other access points along Endicott Street especially that are right in right out. They have the median divided. Um vehicles seeking to
go to Silven, you know, again, you're either going to follow your way finding or you already know your way to get back there. this this a this access, you know, we have a bit better access than the properties to the east, uh the the Flip the Bird and the Wendy's and down
the street, the Burger King that all only allow you to come off of Endicott Street and then exit back onto Endicott Street. We we at least have a benefit here of the Silven Street driveway, um which which does distribute the vehicles
onto two primary roadways. You know, it it reduces the the queueing on site. It makes it easier and more convenient for people to get onto the site. Um, and again, this is we view this as as another option. Um, a site like Canes often seeks out being close to other
competitors because it's somebody that is going to come to lunch. They're going to they're going to find what is most convenient to them. One day they may they may need the chicken tender, right? But another day they might just try to figure out based on where they're going to, where they're coming from, what's the most convenient way for them to get in and out of a site. This is just
another option for that person that that comes into this area. >> Okay. Question on the drive-thru. Up in the the right hand corner, it appears that you have a car that can cross over. So, are we encouraging that, prohibiting that when
you get >> So, this is this is under stop. >> They seem to cross over. >> You're talking about right here. >> No, to the right. To the right. Back a slide to the right corner. a little lower than the corner. Will you show the car that crosses? Yeah. What's the point
of that? I'm curious. >> Matt Ashley with Bowler. Um, so, uh, Canes has peak times and non- peak times. Um, so what you're seeing here is kind of a hybrid of both pictured, but during non- peak times, both of the menu boards will be open.
you can enter the drive-thru, utilize either of those ordering points, and then after that, you would consolidate into a single lane, you know, payment window and pickup window here. During peak times, these menu boards will get shut down and
there'll be crew members out there taking your orders on iPads or tablets. I'm not sure if they're actually Apple products. Um, and you know, you'll do payment there as well. And then you'll get pulled up here and then you'll have crew members that will run your food
into your car so they can utilize both of the lanes here uh during those busier times. But non- peak times is essentially you'd come over and then consolidate just into that one lane right there. >> In the middle of January, are we going to be doing that? >> Uh yeah, all times of years. Uh the
shift times will be adjusted according to weather, temperature, and that sort of thing. Okay. Um, down below of the plan, if you can pull it up a little bit, uh, Josh, >> the bottom, there's like a tooth right there sticking out on the bottom right
part of the plan. You've got cars coming in and it I'm not sure what is the point of that little uh, island, if you will. Right there. Yeah. The tooth south of that. >> Yeah. Um, so that's the entrance to the
drive-thru right here. Um, so that's just kind of ending the drive or the parking area here having a landscape feature. And then go up this way. >> What's to the right of that area? What's in there to the >> This is >> No, to the left. I know that's offsite, but no, that that paved area. What What
is the purple? Nope. To the right. To the right. >> Right there. That down below. You've got an area of pavement. >> No, this is all landscaping down here. >> No, but above it. >> Right there. What's all that going to be? >> That's pavement. Yeah. To maintain
access down to this area down here. >> It is part of our property. We're not proposing to um >> Oh, okay. So, that's our that's puberty property for drainage or snow storage or what have you. >> It not really sure what its function is
right now. Um kind of vacant as you can see from the the picture. Um, but it just we're leaving it open uh to get down there if the landlord wanted to, I don't know, get down there to the rest of his property, but we're not proposing to use anything down there, not touch it, just kind of leave it as is.
>> Yeah. Like the previous applicant, do you show areas of snow storage that you'd have? And I know you've got wetlands behind you, so >> Yep. It's located right on our site plan. It's labeled. >> You just pointed out for the audience. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> Which sheet? Um, >> right. This one's perfect.
>> Okay. Um, so you'll see right here, it's unlabeled. I think it's labeled SNS, snow storage. Um, uh, but essentially we have these nice landscaped areas down here that we can utilize, uh, as long as, um, over here and down in this
corner as well. Um, didn't want to put anything down here closer down to the, uh, the river. >> Okay. So, but we'll truck off after so many feet cuz you've got you've got areas there that might be used for sight
visibility if you're looking back if we're dumping the snow on our nice expensive landscaping. >> We tried to coordinate the two uh between the landscape plan. Uh but yeah, if snow storage becomes too much for the site to handle, it would be shipped off.
>> Okay. And the final question I add is on the signs. I just think it's a bad precedent. If we allow two signs to, you know, show the property and people will see it and very quickly know the location. I think the other six signs are a bit
superfluous. While you can, you know, put them inside and people can enjoy the artwork, I think it's a bad precedent for the area and the town. If we allow eight signs here, then the next applicant's going to want 10 signs. So, I think we've had that bylaw for a long
time. You know, people are going to be able to find the signs. And I don't know if part of those are menu boards, which I'm okay with if we're counting those as signs. >> We are not. Um, >> we are not. >> We are not. Okay. I I I just think, you know, I appreciate the need for artwork, but I'm not sure we need it in the back
of the building andor the side of the building. We're going to put a big enough sign or if they need a marquee sign to show, you know, the name of the building, that's really what you're typically allowed. one on each perhaps face, one on end, one on silvin, but
>> that's correct. >> Yeah, I don't I'm not sure we need eight signs. So that's my opinion. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you, Jim. Um, Michael Dulis, any questions or comments?
>> Yeah, thanks Lou. Let me just pull up my list. Sorry. Um, >> sure. Go ahead. >> Is this on? Yeah. Okay. Um, so one of my questions was when it kind of goes from that right in right out and you talked about there being an island in a turn and when I originally looked at the um firetruck access originally you showed
it coming in that right turn which I'm assuming is not going to be the case. If it's a Damverse firefighter they'd be coming from Silven Street turning onto Endicott and then turning in that north entrance which is what appears you guys showed as a secondary firetruck access. that firetruck access. They'd be coming in there and then would they be would it
be like a six-inch curb and they'd be turning over it to get out of that right turn back onto Silvin. >> Uh Matt Ash with Bowler. Uh that's correct. It's designed to be a mountable curb for larger vehicles to get over it if they needed to. >> That's what I figured. It seemed pretty tight for the firetruck, but I'm sure you guys did your truck turning.
>> Yeah, we we coordinated with um both fire departments with both of their trucks and gave them those turns and they were both comfortable with how everything was. >> Okay, that's great. Um, and then another thing was I know you mentioned it was a mural and did they was local. Do they use local muralists or is it like or do you guys like do you coordinate with local artists or how does that kind of
work? I was just curious. >> Melissa Brochil with Raising Keen. Yes, we have uh had local muralists work on the murals that are on the outside of the buildings. Um, it would be specific to, you know, really however the the um
the jurisdiction would want to see it. Um, but we are open to it. >> Cool. And then and so I think it's great that you're doing like an actual mural. I think it's just unique for fast food restaurants for sure. Are the other signs like vinyl and polycarbonate like pushthrough lettering? Is that I I saw it on there but I was trying to clarify. Is that what they are?
>> So the red dog banner is a substrate. Um it's on a printed material and then mounted to the building. Um the Can's mural itself is painted on and the major and the uh wall signs are also wellmounted. They're internally illuminated. Um Jennifer, I'm going to
defer to you. Are there any others uh that are uh painted as of right now that we're currently showing? >> No, the painted mural is our main point of uh painting and the logo signs are a
thermopform plastic. So, they're not a push through per se for letters. It's more of a formed uh oval. >> Okay. Thank you. And then while you're on the sign page, can you I know Jim, you just mentioned eight signs. Is it is eight the correct number? And if so, can
you just I I think on that plan you're identifying them, but in the red letters it shows six. So is there two other signs that I'm missing or? >> Yeah. Can we actually go back to this site? >> There's a plan with like the signage pack. Yeah. Right there. >> So the four wall signs that we're
proposing are on all four sides of the building. >> So those are the 4x8 plastic, the ones that we just mentioned. Yeah. >> And that's a the 4x8 wall signs. >> Yeah. the H, which is the pre-sale menu board. Um, and we are also not a sign. >> That's right. Okay. >> So, if I could just clarify, I'm sorry.
No, that might be helpful. Um, the four wall signs that we just discussed. >> Yeah. >> Um, the freestanding pylon sign on the corner. >> That's the J, is it? Yes, I can if I see that correctly. >> And then from a zoning perspective, the um the painted mural, the red dog, and
the one love canopy letters. We are consider we are co you know from a zoning interpretation calling considering them and calling them signs. >> Okay. So it's four raising cane signs on the building. One polemounted sign and then what you guys are saying the other
three signs are considered signs. Right. Right. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. That's all I have. Appreciate it. Thank you. >> Okay. Great. Thank you, Mike. Um let's see. Uh Tim Spiddle. >> Okay. Uh maybe I'll just pick up signs
since that's where we were. Um I think the question on well first of all when I saw sort of this many signs being requested I I thought that was um a bit much but the the actual renderings of the the elevations it doesn't seem to me like
it's really that overbearing. I think the one thing I want to check maybe this is a question more for town staff right which is uh two questions. one being so we've determined that a a mural of a dog is a sign and that concerns me like
there there's definitely a in the signage description it is a advertisement and if I saw a picture of a dog I don't know that I would think that's an advertisement it's just a picture of a dog and I'd rather have a picture of a dog than no dog so that's >> well he might be the mascot it sounds
like >> I I think there's a social science survey we could run to see what constitutes as an advertisement based on how many people are going to interpret it as such, but I just see a nice picture of a dog. >> There is also words on that just for the forformational purposes. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Yeah. It says Cane one, I think, on one
of them. >> Yeah. >> Correct. And Melissa Broel with Canes. Uh just to update again, I know I had mentioned in the presentation that we are now updating our graphic to the Cane 3 uh version, which is the the newest uh mascot I would call it. Um, as far as
that's concerned though, we do have an option that does not show any Raising Canes logo or uh company um uh identifiers listed on it. Um, we can uh show that as an option as well. If you
would consider the banner at without any type of copy as an arch an artistic feature rather than as a sign. Um, but that is something that we have uh as an option. That's the That's the middle version of
this. This that is the new copy uh with or that's the new graphic without the uh Kane's wording. wording >> so I mean there's a there's a zoning administrator question there is whether or not it constitutes a sign but we obviously still have the choice whether
or not sorry >> that would also count as a sign but the board does have the ability to >> so I I disagree that that's a sign and I would definitely grant a waiver for that sign >> um >> and this is the the newer graphic of the mural
>> this is an alternate option that we also have available if we didn't want to see the raising Kane's logo uh listed again within the mural. This is an alternate option uh that does incorporate some of the uh historic uh icons that I had
mentioned in the history of Canes uh with the hard hat from our uh CEO and founder doing the boiler maker work. The Sakai salmon's there. You also see the disco ball. Uh Kane is the center of all things raising canes. Um, and uh the dis
again the disco balls on there as well just to kind of show the history of canes without actually listing the word raising canes. >> Yep. >> And that would be here. >> Yep. >> Correct. That would take place of that mural. >> And that's a mural that's painted on the
building. >> Y. So to the extent that there's options for both the what are we calling it the red dog and the painted mural to be sort of brand agnostic but themed as more of a murals I would obviously be in favor of that. I think that would go a long way in terms of limiting concerns about
the number of signs. Um one love maybe someone recognizes that as your catchphrase. I just see the words one love. So I I sort of feel okay with those. And then that just boils down to according to the zoning bylaw, we still would need to restrict the number of
those 4x8 wall signs from 4 to two. Is that right? >> Yeah. I mean everything that we discuss, everything all of the items that have been discussed tonight from a zoning perspective. Now, you do have the ability to wave. >> That's what we're discussing.
It would just um as Jim alluded to earlier, it would be just one sign that faces um each facade that faces a street. So it would technically be a sign that faces Endeott and then a sign that faces Silvin. So
that's the zoning bylaw, you know, minimum. >> You have the opportunity to do more if that's the will of the board, you So I I would say that's the zoning bylaw maximum right now is two signs. >> Yeah. Right. Right. Right. Right. >> So if we're going to wrong word, sorry,
max. >> You know, I think if we're changing the bylaw now to allow murals and other signs, I think it's not for this board to do. We need the town to >> town meeting to pass that law. >> I know we have discretion, but four times the number of signs, I think, is
is getting a little bit much. It's a It's an ask and you can always ask, but I think what we heard from town meeting members this evening is we're going be above and beyond if we approve this. >> I think it's my time for questions, Jim. >> Well, I'm just I thought we were discussing.
>> Okay. I'm I still have questions. >> Um, if we're asking for more wayinding, does that count as signs? >> Wave like directional signage. No. >> No. >> Okay. So, the menu boards directional signage doesn't >> Menu board doesn't menu board's fine. The one is allowed. the size of it's
fine. Um, just while we're talking about waiverss of signage. Um, just forformational, the pylon freestanding sign on the corner is has supposed to be a maximum of 20 ft and it's being proposed at a maximum at 25 ft. So
that's just another signage waiver that's >> like square footage. Is that where you're basing that? >> Square foot. The square footage of the sign is fine. It's just the height of the sign. >> Oh, height of the sign. The height of where the sign would sit is a maximum of 20 ft and it's being proposed at 25. >> Just out of curiosity and sorry Tim to
cut in on that, but are the other signs on that street that 20 ft like the Wendy's and the Flip the Bird and the all the Fidelity one that's existing like are they that same height or do we know? >> I do not know. >> Okay. >> Um but they would be
>> from a zoning perspective have to f unless they got a variance >> or that to banks. We believe that flip the bird is actually taller >> than than what we are um than what we are proposing. >> Um
and what we've done, I know that that this board isn't um particularly used to dealing with signage, but um when you do the calculation for attached wall signs under the zoning bylaw, you can have 10%
of the facade of the building in square footage. That comes out to we could have one big 182 square foot ugly sign on the building. Rather than doing that, our
building mounted signs are 24 square ft. They're small and they're on each side of the building. That was the one that um shown on um on each side of of the building. It's these a
>> they're just 20 they're just 24 square ft. So while the bylaw says that you can have 20 10% of the facade of the building when you think about that and I've made this argument many times with regard to signage and and it had been previously before the board of appeals.
It's now before you. Um it's a better look. It's it's more informative and it's more attractive to have multiple smaller signs rather than one great big sign. Uh and that's what
we've done here is uh is made smaller. >> That's right. Just a question of clarification. I then want to turn you know back to Tim for any questions he had. Um with respect to the the square the sort of the square footage do you know sort of with the multiple signs
what is that what's that the equivalent to in terms of the square footage currently you might have already said it but >> uh it's in I did calculate it in the application um we could have 182 square ft and if you're freestanding sign for
attached wall signs and I added in the pre-order board which I I think we needed to ask for but maybe we didn't um that comes in slightly less 181. >> Oh, okay. So, you're right. >> So, >> okay, it's just
>> it's taking the aggregate. Now, what I what isn't included in in that um 181 square ft uh is the mural and the graphic that we've been talking about that I um have argued in my application
and as well in my communications with planning staff and uh the planning director. Um, those really are not signs. Particular particularly if we take off the canes and we're and we call it a a and it is a a mural with a
graphic but it doesn't have any wording on it for example. >> Um, is that not artwork as a so >> so so the 181 square ft that that that uh does not include what what staff
considers to be signage. So if you considered all that that staff is considering signs, it would exceed that. Correct. >> Correct. The uh the dog graphic is 32 ft. The one love letters are 17 1/2 square ft and the mural is about 140.
>> Okay. Thank you. Tim, I'm sorry. Back to you. Questions? Any further questions you have? >> I think that answers all the questions. I mean, I think where I stand on it is if it's the nonbranded mural and dog, I think that goes a long way. Um, I could kind of make the same argument for the
One Love thing cuz I just I maybe that's just a I don't know the Can's brand well enough. That just seems like um some decoration to me. So, the only thing I'd say is, you know, to the extent um it would be nice to know if there are other
comparable signs that are equally 25 ft. Otherwise, it kind of seems like bring it down to 20 would be preferable just to try to adhere to the bylaws where there's an easy win. Um, in terms of the signs on each of the four sides, it's,
you know, part I think that I can understand why on a corner lot you want people coming to not to be able to see from the side. And so my initial instinct was that might be fine. But if you do have quite a large pylon sign, they should be able to see that. So, um, I think I'm more on the fence about
whether or not those are they are smaller signs. So, it doesn't worry as me as much, but I do think those two main changes to the mural and the and the dog would be important um to get this waiver. I'll jump to traffic. Um and actually, I I think again most of my questions are
for staff because the engineering memo on July 24th and the traffic peer review memo from today, August 12th. Yep. >> Like what is the August 12th one, it doesn't say the same thing as the July 24th one. So, what is the recommendation
from the town engineer about what needs to be reviewed? >> Hold on one moment. Let me bring it up. Um, one second. >> Do you want to speak to what the concern? >> Yeah. Quite. So just for context, um
the planning office received that initial memo from that that July memo with the comments and that was and then the engineering staff and I don't misspe met with or discussed the memo and comments with Jason and the gentleman
from Bowler uh with Matt from Bowler. So I wasn't part of that meeting. Um, and then out of that conversation with engineering and the development team, this was produced. Is that is that correct? >> Correct. I I think we got to agreement. I mean, I don't want to fully speak for
engineering department, but I think we got to agreement that uh the great majority of their comments could be addressed um through some some plan updates and the like and additional information provided by the project team. Uh the one remaining issue that that we couldn't quite work through in conversation with the engineering
department was just the the lo essentially the location of the driveway on Endicott Street and its interaction with the traffic signal at the Silven Endicott intersection. So So vehicles coming from the the Silven Endicott
intersection be they via uh northbound right turn or a southbound left turn interacting with that driveway uh on Endeott Street. So, so that was what and engineering wanted to have I think in in their words a third party to review on behalf of the town whether or not that
was a safe condition. Uh it's it's my opinion that it would be a safe condition. I presented that to them uh as we talked through everything else. it it felt like that was if it was going to go out to peer review, if that's was the the pleasure of the board, that the focus could really just be on that one
uh interaction instead of looking at everything that you possibly could look at because I think the rest of town staff was comfortable. >> Was there uh was there issue the proximity of the driveway to that intersection or I guess I guess I don't >> I I think may maybe perhaps again I I
don't want to speak directly on behalf of them. I think primarily it was just verifying that that sight lines were appropriate, that vehicles exiting from the cane's driveway could appropriately see vehicles coming from the signalized
intersection. Um, again, we've worked with with Matt and his team and landscape architecture uh to keep all of the plantings low, to make sure that the sign is located in an appropriate location uh to maximize the visibility. I think what we'll end up with is is
more visibility than what exists today at the Fidelity site where there wasn't as much thought given to how everything lays out. Matt and his team did a great job with that part. Um so we don't feel that there's a concern specific to those sight lines, but but that was just where we left it with the conversation and we
wanted to move it towards the board. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I feel like usually when we've had peer review recommendations, there's like a particular thing. So, it's nice to know like that's the issue, but I guess I'm I'm it does say in the excuse me, the
decision or the motion that it uh the scope will be >> put together with planning and engineering staff, but I guess >> this just um we just got this today. Yep. >> So, um >> yeah, because the the the memo from today is quite broad, right? It's almost
like re-review the whole thing. So I think that once depending on what happens tonight um when we meet with engineering that we would we would try and probably focus it a little bit um more potentially if that's your concern.
>> Yeah. I guess what I'm I guess what I'm trying to dig at is like what is the assumption or the key point that we would like alternative we would consider because I can think of issues that have come before us where you know the exact placement of an island might affect the turning radius like something like that which is very specific we want a second
set of eyes on >> right >> um this one just seems a little more vague to me and so >> I would want to know what we're going to get out of that besides just re doing the whole thing >> um I can't speak for engineer hearing uh
as sort of like Jason is saying, but I think we would probably in communication with them try and get a little bit more detail of like what their concerns are. Um if this isn't satisfactory to you, I
mean um >> well, just the memo is not very specific of what they're what what they're taking issue with. Like the best articulation we've heard about it has been from the applicant right now, >> right? Um, >> if I could perhaps just offer a little bit more. Uh, I I know that the that
location of the driveway, I mean, we worked to get as far from the signalized intersection as we could while still having the appropriate operations of the site of the drive-thru queuing. Uh, you know, that the building prototypes, all of that. So, so that driveway location for all intents and purposes is is
fixed. There's there's not really a way like we we can't I know there was a a comment about uh maintaining the the second access on Endicott Street. We actually see that as a positive of closing that there's fewer conflict points. There's there's fewer potential movements. Um we couldn't operate that
driveway and still have the the site work the way that it needs to to fit all again all the parking, all the drive-through queuing that we need to operate the the building. So, uh to to the point of what might come out of a peer review, uh sure, if the site was
100 ft further to the east, would it benefit it? I mean, I can't argue that it wouldn't, but there isn't really a place to be able to move that driveway from its current location. And we've done what we can with landscaping and the like to keep that area entirely
clear. So, there there isn't really anything more that would would change on the front of that site. I wouldn't expect. >> Yeah. And so I guess maybe where we can leave it at that cuz I think we can come back to the board and discuss like what
we would recommend for the scope of what the peer review would be. But maybe could you help us understand because the level of service that didn't show any major impacts from this assumption the assumptions that were put into this. Are there any key assumptions that would affect that? Like what would we might dig into to look at sensitivity analyses
to see what might come about? There's a there's a level of um engineering judgment used in in how to assign the vehicle trips around to the different roadways, who who wants to ultimately go south, who ultimately wants to get to 128, all of those things. There's certainly changes that could be made,
right? Like we we take the best information that we have available, the the existing traffic volumes, the access to the site, our understanding of the area. Um, could could someone change a a 10% to a 15% and it shifts five vehicles from a certain movement to another? Of
course they could. Um, I I wouldn't I really wouldn't expect there to be much appreciable change, but but that's probably a point that someone and um having looked briefly at at the memo um I I know that it does bring up both trip generation and trip distribution just just as a way to level set the the
number of vehicle trips that you're talking about. So if you were to move five or 10 vehicles to a particular movement, it would result in a different number, but it wouldn't result in a significant impact anyway just because given this roadway network, vehicles are
going to get distributed all around. Um, and a lot of the vehicles are already on the roadway. A lot of the vehicles are already coming to Endicott Street to get lunch. They're just going into a different driveway. >> All right. Yeah. So, I mean, I guess where I where I sit with traffic, right, is um it feels a little like our
decision has been made for us because we only have a motion here for peer review, right? Like we don't have a decision in front of us. >> Yeah. That's um that's not necessarily just because of this, but we were still working on the the site plan. The revised site plan hasn't been submitted to us. We were still working through the
development team was still working through a revised updated plan from engineering comments separated from this traffic issue. That's why we didn't have we we weren't prepared to vote on the the site plan review tonight in which is separate sort
of from the from the the traffic question. >> Got it. Okay. >> Yeah. >> Because you know on the one hand we've done a handful of traffic peer reviews I think in certain situations. I mean this is a very busy intersection. it's a pretty significant change in use. Um, there can be a knee-jerk to just get a
second opinion. I do think to the extent that there is like a particular assumption that we're calling into question, like I do like specificity there of what we think might be wrong and I don't see that here. Um, so I'm not completely sold on peer review or like the engineering could just ask the
current consultant to change an assumption and see what happens, right? It feels like peer review is just a a knee-jerk because it's, you know, it's a big project and we just want a second opinion, but I don't always know that that's appropriate if we don't have a clear articulation of why.
So, that's where I sit on that. Thanks. >> Okay. Do you have anything further? >> No, that's it for me. Thank you. >> Okay. Very good. Um, Jean Hartnett, any questions or concerns? >> Hi. Um, thank you. Yeah, I think my main
concern on the right in right in right out what was preventing the left turn on Silven Street you answered and will be evident in the revised site plan. Um I was also questioning I know there's a sidewalk on Silven Street. It doesn't seem like there's an existing sidewalk
on Enda. Is that true? >> At Bowler. Yeah, there's sidewalks on both front edges there and then we have a sidewalk connection out to Silven Street. >> Okay. So, I appreciate all the landscape
um plantings and the varieties. Um but it doesn't look like on the plan there is a sidewalk on Endicott Street. >> Yeah, sorry. I just want to correct my earlier statement. There is a sidewalk on Silven Street, but it's on the opposite side, not on our front edge.
Uh, but there's a sidewalk on Street. >> I'm sorry. I got my my streets back up. Opposite side of Endicott Street on our front edge. Silven Street does have a sidewalk, right? >> And then can you repeat that question? Sorry, I was >> Yeah. So So there's no existing sidewalk
on your side of the street on Endicott Street. It looks like there might be sort of a sidewalk in front of Flip the Bird. Would you guys consider um creating a sidewalk to sort of extend that? I know it's like sort of piece build together if you go along that side of end of cut street now, but it would
be nice to have a little bit more connectivity for pedestrians. And it looks like I mean you have a pretty wide buffer of planting so maybe it could fit along there. >> So the question is to add a sidewalk here
>> right there. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, right now there is a sidewalk that comes down here and then I believe there's a crossing that goes across uh right here, >> right? >> But there's nothing on this side. >> I don't know. >> There's nothing here now. >> Yeah. >> Um we can certainly take a look at that.
Um I we haven't really looked at it as what it would connect to or sense there, but there is some there so we can take a look for sure. >> Okay. Thank you. Um I think that's all that we haven't already discussed. >> Okay. Thank Thank you, Jane. And I I'll I'll try to keep my comments or
questions brief as well cuz we've already had a pretty pretty robust discussion. Um I do have some concerns with respect to the um Can you all hear me? >> Yeah. Yes, we can hear you. >> Um great. Um uh I do have some some concerns with respect to uh to traffic
as well. you know, given that intersection, it is a change of use. And so, um, uh, and I'm not a, you know, not being an engineer and not being a, you a traffic expert, I would, I would, uh, you know, give the, uh, I would
definitely, you know, I would, I would defer to our, um, you know, to the views of of our town engineer in terms of some of the concerns. So yeah, I would be in favor of a um of a traffic, you know, peer review, you know, to be, you know, and the scope of which to be determined
between engineering and and planning staff to sort of determine, you know, what the proper scope is to make sure that it's it's it's it, you know, that it's efficiently focused, but at the same time not not unduly narrowed. um as well. Uh and I do also picking up on
Jean's comments, yeah, the sidewalk is a is is definitely a consideration because you know, we do want to um uh we do want to make sure that that it is as um uh that the area is as as uh you know, to to the extent that we can is as as
friendly or friendlier to pedestrians that we can. So to the extent that they that the applicant can take a look to see about uh putting a sidewalk where there was none before um that I would you know I would find that I would be in favor of that. Um I do have a question
for the applicant with respect to signs. Um uh so with respect to signs I guess I'm a I know that you have a location in SAS and I'm not overly familiar with that location. Um, could the applicant explain you do you have like a similar number of signs at the sus at the sus
store? >> What we are this Melissa Brochil with Raising Kes what we're proposing today is our standard sign package. Um, we did have uh we did present a standard sign package for the SUS location as well. Um, and the uh the jurisdiction uh
approved what they believed to be uh appropriate. Um, we still do have a large portion of signs there. Um, but I would have to confirm exactly what uh we have in comparison to this. >> Yeah, I'd be interested in knowing the number of signs and sort of the um and
the and and the square footage as as well. Um and and with respect to the the sort of the the um the standalone, you know, the sort of the freestanding sign, uh I would be interested to see what surrounding signs are because and and
wondering why 25 versus 20 ft. I understand if you could say, well, the neighbors are maybe are are 25 ft, but still, I mean, the limit is is 20. So I'm I'm more of the the point of well if we're you know if it's within the you
know why why go higher just and just because the neighbor does it is is higher I don't know if that's the um that's the best uh best explanation and with respect to the I'm also concerned about just the number of signs because there just seem to be um and
again the you know the the especially like on on the one side where you have the mural as well as the um the hug. Uh, I think that that's an, you know, it just seems like an awful lot of signs for the for the property and as I think
as as Jim Sears mentioned, some could be certainly moved inside. Um, you know, I know even for the example with the dog, I think I saw the dog was al the dog was also on the the drive-thru sort of menu board. So it's not like the dog is, you
know, there's still there still would there still would be a place for the dog in the area, but just not in that uh not in that particular location. So um so I would be uh I would be interested in seeing some changes with respect to the um with
respect to signage and was answering a few questions as well just in terms of surrounding um you know the the SUS location for example as well as for the freestanding sign comparison the surrounding area and an explanation as
to why it it needs to be higher. >> Understood. Uh, yep. That's my those are sort of my uh comments and and questions. Any further questions or comments by the by the board? This is a public hearing, so I did want to uh turn it over to see if any members of the
public have any um uh questions or comments for the applicant as well. >> Um yes, there is someone from the public and um she's um going to the podium. >> Great. If they could go come up and >> Thank you. introduce themselves and present any uh any questions to to the chair, please.
>> Great. Thank you. Um and thank you for the presentation. Um I agree with Mr. Sears. I do live within the vicinity. I'm within a quarter mile of living with this proposed uh location and I do travel civil. >> I'm sorry. Uh >> I'm sorry. >> I thought I did say it. Sorry. >> Could you please state your name and address? I didn't see it. I'm sorry.
>> Karen Roy, Flint Street, Danverse. >> Thank you very much. >> Okay. Um I'll start again that um I agree with Mr. Sears. I do live in the vicinity. I do travel Silvin and Endicott streets almost daily and I agree that I don't think there's any way to prevent people from turning left
across the road Silven Street into the uh restaurant. Um I see it all the time, right? We see it within restaurants. We see it within businesses on Silven Street and it it causes traffic jams. It causes near accidents. People trying to come out of Petco, cross two lanes. It's
very dangerous. If PED does approve that entrance, I I would suggest maybe curving the driveway so that you can only enter from the Silven Street location. You cannot cut across if you were coming down Silven Street, you could not across the cross the two lanes
and get in. If you curve it, there's no way to get in. That's if PB approves it. Um, personally, I think eight signs is excessive. I would suggest the non-essential signage, the mural, the dog graphic be moved inside the building as was suggested. Um, and I'm just
curious, can anybody tell me how many signs uh, Flip the Bird has? >> Um, >> I'm not Josh, is that something you're aware of? >> No, I mean it's Yeah, I mean >> it didn't come to us for signs. >> No. So, we we don't have that
information at this. I mean, you can do a quick street view, but >> Oh, >> we're doing a Google search. Street View's outdated >> on Google. It's It was top salad on Google. >> No, looks like they have more signs than there should. >> Okay. >> Is that the actual
>> curious um regarding the hours, will the restaurant be open till 3:30 as well as the drive-thru or is it the restaurant closes at a certain hour and the drive-thru is open till 3:30? >> Typically, >> Good question. Does the applicant have the answer to that question? Typically, we would keep the restaurant
open. Um, if there are uh concerns about keeping the restaurant itself open, um, we have closed the restaurant specifically uh for indoor dining for other locations and kept the drive-thru through open, but if there's no restrictions, we would typically keep it open.
Does the board or the chair know about the other restaurants on Endicott Street, what they do for restaurant hours? I know their drive-throughs are open late, but >> yeah, I know that Taco I know that Taco Bell's drive-thru
>> um is open till 3:00 a.m. I do not >> Oh, no. I I'm aware of that. I'm aware that all the drive-throughs are open late, but what about the restaurant? >> If this restaurant staying open till 3:30 in the morning. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm not aware of the uh >> Just something to consider question. I I
don't think you need a restaurant open till 3:30 in the morning to be honest with you. But it again, you're the board. You're making the decisions. I just wanted to bring it to your attention. Um and one last thing to be aware of, I travel Route 1 um south quite often. I have not eaten at Raising Cane, but I drive by it quite often
between the hours of 4 and 6 p.m. The traffic backs up onto Route 1. I have seen so many near misses trying to get beyond there. I I go to a place that a couple of driveways past Raising Kane. It's almost impossible.
You have to go basically from the middle lane quickly cut over because the the slow lane, right, the right lane getting into Raising Kane is backed up onto Route One. It might be worth a phone call to Sus Police Department, Sus Town, Sus Town Hall. Um just something to
consider. If you haven't been by there, take a ride between those hours and you'll see the backup. And I'm concerned about that happening on Silvin Street. >> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you. Any further um any other questions uh for members of the public?
>> Yes. >> Yes. >> Hi, my name is Ellen Graham. >> I agree about Silven Street. It has to be a huge cut. So, Silvin, they will take a left. We know they will. I know people who will. Um my other concern is on Endicott Street when you take that
left. It's two lanes. The way that light is set up, you can take a right turn at the same time. So, you have to take that left turn and immediately get over to the right to get in. So, is it I don't know if we can adjust the light if it's not a right turn on red because I um I
know that's difficult to get over even for the the sometimes further down for some of those. Um and I I the the signs I think eight is overkill. I don't think a mural and a picture of dog is a sign either. So, just just my two cents.
Thanks. >> Okay. Thank you. Any further questions for members of the public? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Hi Karen Nastic, Luxley Road.
>> I have the same concerns about the traffic. I have tried to leave Fidelity and there is not a great way that you know you always have access at certain times. It's just a lot of traffic and they're allowed to be what it's two and a half minutes they're going to be in
lane. I think that's a lot of backup, a lot of new people coming out. Um, I can't think of a worse intersection to put this busy restaurant in here. It's going to back up 114 in both directions.
It's going to back up people getting from 1A getting down from uh um the port in this way when they're trying to get to the the our old Bank of America closed up. Anybody that's banks at Bank of America has to go through there. It's
just a really odd place to pick to put this very busy restaurant that has a reputation for backing up traffic. you just type it in and ask about traffic issues and they have to say that the um the people who have the restaurant I
don't know who pays for traffic details but that's also been mentioned in the articles that are on online. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any further comments or questions from
members of the public? >> No. Okay, I'm going to come back then to the back then to the board. And so um so what is the will of the of the board? It
looks like we um have some outstanding questions with respect to well it looks like the site plan is not uh at least a completed site plan would not be uh before us for a vote. there's some additional work that needs to be done and it does look though that there's a
um I think there's been a suggestion by town engineer for uh traffic peer review and um uh and also I believe that the uh the issue of sign waiverss is is before us but um that is uh
um I'm not sure what the what the will of the board is with respect to that because I believe that there are some additional there definitely some concerns earned I think expressed by members of the board with respect to signs and some additional information that's needed. >> Mr. Chairman, can I speak on behalf of the applicant? >> Please go ahead.
>> Uh thank you. Uh we do have um engineering department comments as I mentioned during my presentation. We are prepared to uh submit a response memo that's already been reviewed with the engineering department. So, we think that all of those items are covered, but
that does have to go through the the normal process with some site plan revisions um being reflected there and um we have heard the comments with regard to signage. Um so what we would
uh request is that the um the signs uh the signed waiver and the site plan uh discussion be continued till your next meeting in September beginning of September. I think it's September 9th. Um to uh allow us time to complete that
process and to come back to you with uh with um some responses with regard to the signage, answer some questions that we've heard with regard to uh signage in the in the general area, etc. and to um uh respond to the engineering department
comments and and provide the updated site plan for uh for hopefully a vote that evening if the board um does wish to have a a uh traffic peer review. Um
it I think uh as our traffic consultant indicated that um it may be more of a a a look over uh as far as the engineering department wanting that as opposed to
any real particular issues. Uh but if the planning department and I should say if the planning board would like uh a peer review, we would request that um staff and the engineering department uh be authorized to define the scope a
little bit further than what was in the memo that came out today from the engineering department as well as to select the peer reviewer so that we can have that done and be ready uh to have that completed um and presented at the
um at the September 9th meeting. Thank you. >> Very good. Okay. So, okay. So, coming back then to the um uh to the board, I know that there is a
request for um uh in terms of for the traffic uh to the traffic peer review. Um I myself would be uh would be in favor of that. I wasn't sure what are the what's the will of the uh of the board with respect to that.
>> I'm in favor of it as well. I think there's some definite concerns with the access and the amount of traffic that that that cues at that location and from what we're hearing. Uh I I think it's be prudent uh to do that. So you got my vote.
>> Okay. Got it. Very good. Um anyone else wants to chime in? >> Yeah. Anyone else wants to chime in on that for traffic peer review? >> I I would be in favor of the peer review. Um my only concern is that going
to be enough time four weeks to select a peer review and have them complete the work. >> Yeah, especially towards the end of the summer attorney. >> Uh I think it should be we would certainly like to uh to aim for that. So yes.
>> Okay. Okay. Just coming back on peer review. Um, and so we heard from from myself, Jim, and and Jean. Um, Tim, what are your thoughts with respect to peer review? >> Yeah, I mean, again, I think my point was just narrowing the scope to be specific about what's being peer reviewed. And again, to Jean's point, that's especially important to get it
done in four weeks because, you know, rebuilding the whole thing wouldn't be feasible. >> Sure. Okay. Got it. Okay. Um, Michael Doulis. >> Yeah, I agree with Tim's comments. Okay. Got it. Okay. So, very good. So,
I'd like to I think we do have the near um uh So, Josh, just in terms of the order here, it looks like we will be doing a um a motion for uh for peer review and we would be also then uh
continuing both the um both the the site plan review as well as the uh as well as the sign waiver. And so, those would be by separate items. So, I think we can do the peer review first. Would that be correct? >> Yes. Yes.
>> Okay. Got it. Okay. So, can I uh Jean, I think you have it. Is that something? Do you mind uh reading and making a motion? >> Yeah. 200 Endicott Street, Danver Raising Canes. Peer review of traffic report. The planning board votes to move forward
with a third-party traffic peer review to examine the traffic report submitted for the proposed development project at 200 Endicott Street, Danvers, Raising Gains under Mass General Law 53G outside consultants. Planning and engineering staff will put together a scope of the
peer review and select the third party peer reviewer. Very good. Motion has been made by Jean. Is there a second? Second. >> I think that was Jim. Yep. Okay. So, first by Jean.
>> Okay. >> Okay. First by Jean, second by Jim. Um uh and we'll do a roll call on that. Um so, all in uh all in favor. Um Jean, >> yes. >> Uh Jim Sears, >> yes.
>> Tim Spiddle, >> yes. >> Michael Doulus, >> yes. >> Okay. And I vote yes as well. So we would be um so we'll we'll be moving forward with the traffic uh with a peer review. And so now the next item would
be then I would need to entertain a motion to continue the public hearing for 200 Enderot Street uh uh site plan review >> and and and the signage waiverss. >> Oh, can can those be in one in one
motion or they can be um >> that's fine. >> They have to be separate motions. >> I think that's before we get to that. Mr. Chairman, I just had a couple additional questions for the applicant that maybe we can kind of sharpen the issues. >> Um, >> Nope. >> Just there was questions about the hours of operation. I mean, 9:30
to 3:30 a.m. seemed I I never knew that Taco Bell was open to 3:00 a.m. I'm not sure how much business they do after midnight, but maybe on the weekend, but it just seems a little bit excessive and and nothing good happens after midnight. I think uh
a lot of times especially with you know um people driving perhaps you know what condition they might be in pulling into a driving uh you know a fast food restaurant at 1 2 3 in the morning. Um I'm just wondering the justification and
is it is it financially uh viable for for a spot? I guess they would find that out pretty quickly. But if we're just selling chicken sandwiches, are we selling chicken sandwiches at 9:30 in the morning? you know, we're doing food prep. Why Why are we opening at 9:30 and saying open to
3:30? I guess I got to see the justification for that. >> Um, well, I can respond to that in that um that's outside the scope of site plan review. I will say that hours of
operations uh in Danvers are permitted to be 24 hours a day there. It's not that way in every community. um and other restaurants are open those hours. It would uh be inappropriate to say this restaurant can't be open uh for those
hours. Any restaurant along uh Endicott Street could change tomorrow and be open 24 hours and they would not have to come back to this board. Um Danvers permits hours of operations 24 hours and there's a reason there's a need for it. There
are there are certainly people going into restaurants who are working a third shift who are uh hospital workers, emergency medical workers, police. The police station's right around the corner. Uh who might want to go in and
and get a sandwich or chicken fingers at uh at 1 or 2:00 in the morning. Um is there a financial basis for it? again, well outside of site plan review, but Raising Canes is a business. And if
nobody shows up, are they going to continue to be open at those hours? Maybe not. But it's a it would be the same for any restaurant along there. I don't think you can pick out this one and say, >> I'm not trying I'm not trying to pick them out. I think it's helpful for you to elucidate that fact for the for the
audience and the board which may not have remembered that. So, I appreciate that. Um, as far as the um I I think I would request from the chairman that maybe we get a legal opinion as to what a sign versus a mural
is so that we can have some specificity cuz I think we're getting off into a different area now where if we're feeling justified to allow a mural, um, I'm just seeing that as opening the door to an interpretation that may not
be what the town meeting members voted for when they did this uh commercial 3 zoning um for the site. So I I just hate to see Okay, so now McDonald's is going to paint a mural of a gentleman in a clown costume without an M on his or a
king a king's hat at Burger King. You know, that's a nice mural, but it it seems to be targeted marketing and I don't think we need it all. And it's just sign pollution. I mean, you've got a 20 foot sign. I think once you enter the lot, you know you're at Rais and
Canes. You don't need to be reminded of that on every corner of the building. It just seems excessive. And if we allow it here, we're going to hear it for the next uh, you know, location that comes in. Look at a lot of the raisin canes. And if this is more closer to a
residential neighborhood, are they going to have to look at lit signs that are neon or open till 24 hours of the day uh on every corner of the building? I just think it sets a a bad precedent. We've always had two signs. That's been our
rule. This board's been criticized the last few meetings about not following the rules that the town meeting members have voted on and that have been approved by our zoning bylaw. So, I think we need to uh, you know, recognize that and not go outside of it just
because we're being threatened with a large sign on one side. You know, it just seems to me that we need to look at the rules and try to adhere to them. So, that's that's my opinion and maybe town council who is on, you know, the payroll can give us his interpretation of what a
sign versus a mural or a, you know, what have you is. >> Sorry to interrupt, Jim. So, I just wanted for for informationational purposes, uh, I was going to read into the record what the definition in the zoning bylaw of a sign is. Just any permanent or temporary device, letter,
work, billboard, placard, painting, drawing, poster, banner, pennant, insignia, trade flag, streamer, display, emblem, or representation used or which is in the nature of an advertisement, announcement or direction or is designed
to attract the eye. So, as we speak or as uh Brian Skelly as the planning director and the zoning enforcement officer when we were reviewing this application, I'm not it's not in writing so it's we could make it official but in
his determination in reading this definition of sign in his determination and his position in town he's saying that everything that's being proposed here is is being we we we in our in the planning
office are considering all of these items to be signs >> based on that definition. >> So Josh, just out of curiosity, like so for the instance where the dog was, if there was an arrow below the dog cuz it was then directional signing for the drive-thru. Is that no longer a sign?
Cuz Wendy's has that exact example with a picture of Wendy and a sign and then an arrow. So is that I'm just curious. Yeah, I mean we could get into this gray area and we could use you know we we did this we did this we had this conversation earlier this week with the development team not with the attorney
can about these items. Um, so I can't for each individual item. It's hard for me to say on the spot right now like yay or nay. It obviously starts to get gray. But this definition of sign um you know it's pretty straightforward. But the example that
you gave is you know that it is a that's a hard one, right? Um that Brian Brian and I will have to kind of discuss. >> So I actually don't think that definition is very straightforward at all. You could read that as saying any painting that is designed to attract the
eye. McDonald's yellow is designed to attract the eye. >> Very bright yellow. That's now a sign. Like that's crazy. So, >> but also if I could just double click on what I said before, the zoning administrator's discretion is to >> thing is a sign interpret. And then the
way we can take into consideration if we disagree with that when deciding on a waiver, >> correct? Yeah, that's so we don't have to change the definition. >> Yeah. We don't have to at this moment we don't have to. >> Sure. I mean right you're saying I guess there's a question I guess if there's discrepancy on the board about that
there's two different things >> the zoning administrator has made the has made that decision that that indeed they are assigned and so now I think the question is is with that determination we can you know with that determination we can go and we either you know we
either grant a we grant a waiver or we do not. >> Yeah. Correct. Correct. Right. That's the simplest way to do it. Right. >> Is that a full yes or no? It's either Is that a full yes or no with a that waiver? Like to Tim's point, if we don't believe that certain things are assigned, it doesn't matter at this point. It's either yes that you get all
eight signs or no, you get >> No, you could. No. No. In the No, you can each individual anything above the two is a waiver. So if the the will of the board is to say for example we are okay with five or six and not eight
that's completely fine. It doesn't have to be two or two or eight >> and the two includes or does not include the polemounted side on the corner. >> The polemounted side is included in the eight >> but included in the two. >> Yes. >> No it is not because >> yes it is. >> It well it is well
>> it's a direct that's the >> Hold on one second. the >> so >> the sign the two signs that are on the building if if you took off if you took off one of the if you only had one sign on the building and then you had that one pylon you could do that yes
>> you could be creative in that way but that wasn't your question Rosa >> no I'm saying because they have Endicott and Silven they can't put one on either side and >> they could take they could take one they could take a sign the sign off endot or silven and only had one sign on the building and they could do the pylon sign and they wouldn't need a waiver is
that your question does that help Yes, I think I'm good. >> It's a total of two. So, they could be creative >> and take and only have one on the building and one on the freestanding sign. Or you could have a or you could have two in the building and nothing else. >> And not to get like super detailed, but I was just looking around Danverse for
different like location stuff. And so I drove down High Street on Google. We were sitting here and so like Duncan Jones for example has Danverse runs on Duncan on one side. >> It's a different zoning district. >> Okay. So that's why they have multiple sides. >> Yeah. Or Yeah. depending on the situation. >> But there's more allowed in downtown than on endot.
>> I don't have downtown memorized at this exact moment, but >> they have like a coffee cup with a >> They are different. They are different than >> Okay. >> Yeah. Sorry. What was that? >> No. No. I think that's good. Thank you, >> Josh. >> Yes. >> Don't we have have an allowance for like the first month or two when a business
opens, they can have more signs? >> Um, yes. But they're generally more like temporary in nature. Probably like, you know, open temporary. Yeah. not not permanent. >> Okay. >> Like um for sale or for rent or something. >> Any other signage questions?
>> The um I will state again the criteria for the signage waiver is not that of a variance. Um it is simply that the planning board may grant a waiver
uh upon a finding that no substantial detriment shall result. So that's the that's the bar that you're looking at. It's not a a hardship. It's not any of those the higher level. It is a it is a >> the lowest level if you will when we're
talking about waiverss. So I >> the detriment is detriment is you know can be subject to one one person's detriment may be another >> yeah indeed >> correct >> I would agree with you on that Mr. It's it's discretionary on purpose, right? So >> Josh, sorry to keep going back to this,
but I'm trying to get my bearings a little bit. And so McDonald's, which is on the same street. >> Yep. >> There's a giant M on the side of the building. There's a McDonald's sign on the building. There's also McDonald's sign on the road. There's a bunch of welcome signs, which according to that are also signs. So >> y >> I guess I'm a little confused because is
welcome a sign or is it not a sign? Is an M a sign? It's a logo. That's a sign to me. >> I would say that >> on the window. >> M with a yellow. >> And if there signs in the window, are those also signs? Yes. Yes. >> So, >> so but if I may, right, like I think this is where rules are arbitrary,
>> right? Like the spirit of the law is what we're trying to adhere to. >> Right. Right. >> I looked I heard seven signs. I was like that's way too many. And I saw the picture and I was like that seems fine. >> Right. So I while I agree with for example what Jim brought up earlier that like we were getting a lot of flack for not adhering to the letter of the law as
much as we as much as some people might want us to like the building looks fine. If we can reduce it a little bit so that way you come a little bit closer, I think that would be great. >> And the board of appeals has granted signage variances >> for decades. And that may be how the
McDonald's signed the there were multiple signs. >> I've gotten signage variances along Endicott Street for years, particularly for um fast food type of restaurants. the bylaw has changed to put that
discretion in your court, not ZBA anymore, and lowered the bar to waiver. >> So that's why when you look at McDonald's, that big M. Yeah, I agree. That's a sign. And they probably got a variance for it. >> Yep. >> And the directional signs, the little
welcome signs, if they're four square feet, 4 feet high, if they don't have a logo or something on, those are permitted. as many as you want because those are the directional signs but when you start having logos on them that's becomes such something a little
different. >> Got it. >> Good. >> My last question would the applicant agree to no outdoor audio um condition? And the reason why I'm asking that is if we're open on a summer night to 3:30 in
the morning and we've got outdoor audio and say it's a very busy night because there was a show down the street or movie or something happened and people are um you know we're not using our headphones for our people that are out
in the queue handing out sandwiches and we're shouting or making you know like my biggest example is the the um Texas Roadhouse in Danvers >> has outdoor audio constantly
>> for I don't understand why they play music outside. Maybe because they've got six people sitting there waiting outside to get in, but I'm just concerned of the people on Walcott Street, which are one street up, uh the next street up there.
there there was a neighborhood there and there's a neighborhood in in sound travels especially at midnight 1 in the morning 2:00 in the morning 3:00 in the morning 3:30 in the morning so that's a concern for me
>> and Jim I would tend to agree with you on that in terms of I think that's a fair request is the is the applicant would the applicant be amendable to that >> I want to I will have an answer for you on that um when we come back because we have
um the uh the window, you know, the order window. So, is that the audio you're talking about? >> No, I'm talking about outside speakers or outside speakers saying, "Sally, go to lane 2. There's a restaurant on 17 nuggets you got to
bring over there, you know, that type of thing." Well, I'm assuming like some of Chick-fil-A has a similar model and they use headphones, >> right? They're headsets. So, as long as there's We just don't want to have problems with audio. That's all. >> So, thank you.
>> That's it. >> Okay. >> Got it. Okay. Anything any other further notes or or or questions at all as as it relates to this? I know we'll be um there's a they will be we'll be continuing it, but just to um make sure there's that that they'll be able to
come back as you know with with as many answers to questions as we got. Anything else? Okay. So, then we'd like to um uh Jim, did you have anything else that was um >> No.
>> Any other questions or concerns you have? >> Okay. >> Okay. Very good. Okay. So, then we'll be doing then a um uh so I'd like to entertain then uh I guess a motion to continue the public hearing for 200 Endicott Street both for the uh site
plan review and uh signage waiverss. I make a motion we continue the site plan review and sign Waynever for 200 and Nicod Street to September 9th, 2025. >> Okay, very good. Motion's been made by
Jean. Uh, is there a second? >> Second. >> Okay. Second by Tim. Okay. Um, very good. Any further discussion on that motion? Um, hearing none, I'm going to go into a roll call for this one. Uh, Jean,
>> yes. >> Uh, Jim Sears, >> yes. >> Tim, >> yes. >> And Mike Dulis, >> yes. >> And I say yes. So, okay. So, it has been continued to our next meeting.
>> Thank you very much. We appreciate your time. >> Very good. Thank you. Okay. That is uh that's all we have for the on the agenda. Uh Josh, what do we um anything we want to talk about before our I know we want to be respectful of people's time uh for our coming up for
our next meeting. >> Yep. Just uh so our next scheduled meeting is um Tuesday, September 9th. It will be here at the senior center. Um and that evening will be the two continuences from tonight. the signage
waiverss for 165 undercut Street, >> uh the Kelly's roast beef, uh the site plan and signage waiverss for raising canes that we just discussed, >> uh signage waiver application for 75 Silvin
Street and then a continuence for uh the site plan review for 83 Elm Street. >> So, so those four applications Okay. Everybody planning on being um in attendance?
>> Yes. >> So, okay. Um yeah, and I actually going to have to be um I'm going have to be again to participate remotely for that next coming up meeting. I as I mentioned at the at the outset of this call, I was not planning on participating remotely at this meeting, but uh uh but I'll be
on on work travel that um that that day, September 9th. But um Okay. Very good. Um, anything further? And I think there's Josh, is there also something just for those who might still be watching? I think there is a um there's a town of managers forum coming up.
>> Um, yeah. Uh, yes, it's this Thursday the 14th. Um, >> I just I don't um Brian Brian Kelly the plan director and Henry I believe um are attending. I So I just don't I I know it's this Thursday. it it's either I
think it's 5 or 5:30 to 7 or 7:30, but I just I'm not 100% sure um where it's taking place, but if someone wants to call the planning office tomorrow or email me, I could I will let you know where it's taking place, but it is this Thursday and it's either 5 or 5:30.
>> What is it for? >> Great. What is it? >> It's just a uh it's an opportunity to speak with the new town manager about um planning and economic development and uh maybe one at least one other topic.
um she's been doing I think it's every week um different departments um just kind of having like an open session discussion with the new town manager about different like each department kind of has like a top you know each week we'll be like you know
there's a DPW night you know there's a planning and economic development night there was a recreation night so just an opportunity for folks in town to speak with her about the different departments and what we do at town hall so >> will you send an email when you know the details.
>> Yes. Yep. >> Yeah. And it should be also on our town website as well. >> Yes, I'm sure. >> Okay. Okay. Very good. >> Yep. >> All right. Well, thank you very much. Uh I'm going to uh I think unless there's anything further, uh it's been a it's been a long evening, so thank you to the
board. I'd like to entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Okay. Uh first by Jean. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Second by Tim. Okay. Um, I'll do a roll call. Jean >> second. >> Yes. >> Jim.
>> Yes. >> Jim Jim. >> Jim says >> and Mike Doulus. >> Yes. >> I'll check the >> All right. And I say yes. Thank you very much everybody. Have a good evening. Have a good rest of your August. I always try to make sure. Nice. See, too. All right.
>> Okay. Thank you. Byebye.