WEBVTT METADATA Video-Count: 1 Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=DnTqO151Xy8 NOTE MEETING SECTIONS: Part 1 (Video ID: DnTqO151Xy8): - 00:00:00: Meeting Call To Order and Town Planner's Report - 00:02:35: Public Comment Slot 1 - No Comments Given - 00:02:54: Noble Steed Crossing Subdivision Updates and Discussion - 00:04:40: Audio Problems and 6 Southwick Street Continuation - 00:06:58: 141 Feeding Hills Road Continuation Discussion - 00:08:35: Minor Site Plan Modification Discussion Crave Tea House - 00:17:07: Crave Tea House Conditions and Motion To Approve - 00:21:17: A&R Approval Discussion with Legal Counsel Delay - 00:25:36: 20 Juniper Road Wireless Communications Tower Decision - 00:32:25: 20 Juniper Road Wireless Tower Waivers and Updates - 00:36:26: 20 Juniper Road Conditions, Terms, and Vote - 00:38:56: Greens of Southwick Street Acceptance Recommendation - 00:40:20: Action Item Review for Housing, Alternate Home Designs - 00:50:16: Open Space Recreation Plan and Meeting Minutes - 00:51:52: Planning Board Member and Staff Comments - 00:53:32: Public Comment Slot 2 - Noble Street Crossing Issues Part: 1 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:16.520 I'm calling to order this meeting of the planning board. Tonight is Tuesday, May 5th, 2026. We're meeting here in a hybrid fashion in person at the Southwick Town Hall and also open for participation through Zoom. First thing we'll do is we'll call for 2 00:00:16.520 --> 00:00:32.759 those present. Good evening. Alvin Allen, Town Planner. Courtney Allen, Planning Board Chair. Diane Jespersen, member. Jason Goddard, member. Marcus Phelps, member. Giovanni associate. member I also note that we are recording 3 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:49.440 meeting and it's okay if you write it down. Just need to let us know if you are. See none. First thing on the agenda is Town Planner's Report. Good evening. Town Planner's Report. A couple of items so first thing 4 00:00:49.440 --> 00:01:04.280 again the bylaw revision of the last meeting the moratorium on large-scale ground solar request was denied by the AG's office. I have already contacted the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission and they sent me 5 00:01:04.280 --> 00:01:21.680 some some language that I can utilize. I also reached out to by the Town of Becket and their Planning Board. The members of their Planning Board reached out and and gave me some information as well so I'll report to you that information and we'll see what I can gather for our particular 6 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:36.680 ordinance. Second item being I was reached out to by Miss Patty Gamber Gamber Gamber Lee, I'm sorry. Patty Gamber Lee. So she reached out from Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. 7 00:01:36.680 --> 00:01:53.680 Um so both John and I or John um Goddard from the assistant executive director um in regards to regulatory updates on drinking water. So I'm not too sure exactly what this is all about. I mean she gave me a little bit of 8 00:01:53.680 --> 00:02:09.440 information that it came. Actually um we do have a aquifer protection uh zoning overlay district so uh there may be some um some discussion there for our zoning ordinance so I'm going to meet with her at some point as well as John 9 00:02:09.440 --> 00:02:33.760 Goddard to um discuss and see um what it's all about and how it would affect Southwick zoning ordinances. See none of the public Uh Cliff, are you recording? I just got it on. Yes, I will be. Thank you. All right. Thank you. 10 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:54.240 Next on the agenda is public comment. This is the opportunity to uh give public comment to the board on something that is not already listed elsewhere on the agenda. See none in person and none online. We can move on. 11 00:02:54.240 --> 00:03:19.360 Okay. Next on the agenda While we wait for that time to catch up, Mr. Planner, do we have any updates on Noble Steed Crossing subdivision? So I did include in your packet sort of 12 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:37.600 weekly updates from DPW Stormwater. Um and I didn't meet with them last week um but because of the short week um between our meetings I uh one of them will probably have an update 13 00:03:37.600 --> 00:03:53.200 for the DPW today but I did give them a monthly notice to review it so um for the week ending uh May 1st uh I said that they've picked up additional construction debris in the open space area that was missed previously. Um 14 00:03:53.200 --> 00:04:09.280 secondly, they installed erosion control blankets on the northern slopes at water quality basin number three. Lastly, they did excavated for sidewalk section in front of house number 28. So that brought us to this. 15 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:40.440 We are still waiting on some uh to look at the crossing but it will come at some point later down the line and then also um language um that we need to We have 7:04 and we can move to the first public hearing. We'll continue public hearing for 6 Southwick Street. 16 00:04:40.440 --> 00:04:57.040 Madam Chair, Madam Chair the audio is just awful. Can barely hear you. Yeah. It's uh tinny. Turn up the mic. Let's go over there, is 17 00:04:57.040 --> 00:05:13.080 that better? This is all the way up. No, I'm not sure. I've never hit the power button. I know that hour was moved. I don't know if the hour has anything to do with audio but they had a meeting in here earlier and I think they might have moved some items. 18 00:05:13.600 --> 00:05:32.880 I didn't have to press anything. Is it distant or are we still clear, Cliff? Is it just I speak louder? That sounds better. It was so it was just blurry. Like blurry. I don't know how else to describe it. 19 00:05:32.880 --> 00:05:49.560 All right. Well, if it if it gives you any more trouble, let us know. I think we're all squared away. Thank you so much. Thank you. All right. So for 6 Southwick Street So for 6 Southwick Street we did receive 20 00:05:49.560 --> 00:06:07.040 comments from Town Bond in regards to um the area that we requested. Um I've sent that to our DPW. I've sent that also to the the applicant and their their representatives are the DPW. 21 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:22.720 Our DPW came back with further with with a response. However, um that just came I think yesterday so um you know, I wanted to give proper time for Town Bond to respond and then also 22 00:06:22.720 --> 00:06:41.600 for our DPW to respond so I've asked them to postpone this to the next meeting and hopefully that will happen at the next session. Um then do I hear a motion to continue this to 7:04 p.m. on May 26th? So moved. 23 00:06:41.600 --> 00:07:06.880 Do I hear a second? Jason Goddard, second. Thank you. I will call vote. Jessica Wright, no. Diane Jespersen, I. Jason Goddard, I. Marcus Phelps, I. Giovanni associate, I. Thank you. Okay. Next on the agenda from 7:05 p.m. is 24 00:07:06.880 --> 00:07:23.240 continued public hearing for 141 Feeding Hills Road and the request to modify the special permit wellhead protection district special permit and site plan approval. So I did hear from Mr. Agostino maybe two three hours ago. He called and 25 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:38.640 stated that um he believes that he will receive his uh liquor license within the next uh week or two. Mhm. So if he receives it prior to our next meeting then likely he will probably just 26 00:07:38.640 --> 00:07:54.640 withdraw his application but he decided to continue his application in the hopes of hopefully receiving a liquor license so um that's been pushed back to the next meeting, May 26th and hopefully we'll see. Okay. 27 00:07:54.640 --> 00:08:10.040 Uh do we have anything scheduled for that agenda? No. There is Then do I hear a motion to continue this public hearing to 7:05 p.m. on May 26th? Diane Jespersen, so moved. Jason 28 00:08:10.040 --> 00:08:35.800 Goddard, second. I will call vote. Jessica Wright, no. Diane Jespersen, I. Jason Goddard, I. Marcus Phelps, yes. Giovanni associate, I. Next on the agenda is minor site plan modification to allow for ADA accessible 29 00:08:35.800 --> 00:08:57.120 walkways and paths on the building one and Pristine Place 6 and special permit for 157 Feeding Hills Road, Case 20-14. As an abutter goes first. Left on the table. Amusement B. Mr. Salvini is online with us? Good 30 00:08:57.120 --> 00:09:15.280 evening. Good evening. You have to speak up. Yeah, can you speak up a little bit, Steve? Yeah, sorry about that. Can you hear me? Yes, much better. Thank you. Okay, who wants to tell us what we've 31 00:09:15.280 --> 00:09:30.960 got in front of us, Steve? Yep. We uh made changes uh based on building inspector's input 32 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:48.680 where we added the 4-ft walkway from Well, first we did was we we flipped the southerly handicap space and put it to the north of the three 33 00:09:48.680 --> 00:10:05.160 spaces down there for better access to the building and uh actually better access to the Agostino From there up the walkway to the next handicap space is a 4-ft 34 00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:23.080 walk that has a maximum It's just about 5% slope. Uh it's not quite 5%. From that handicap space into the building is um a 1 and 1/2% slope. 35 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:38.000 Um so >> [clears throat] >> slope-wise, everything is fine. The um the material I have listed on the plan I I fat-fingered when I was typing it and that's got 36 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:57.400 3/4-in minus. It's supposed to be a 1/4-in minus compacted material um that is uh suitable for for this application. From the handicap space on the south uh 37 00:10:57.400 --> 00:11:15.200 and there's a a 4-ft wide walkway uh with pavers that's already there. And once to get to the top of that, that's only a 1 and 1/2% slope. From the top, they will construct a 4-ft wide 38 00:11:15.200 --> 00:11:31.760 uh walk uh with the compacted 1/4-in minus material out to the pirate ship with a viewing platform about 5-ft diameter or 5-ft rectangle out there. 39 00:11:31.760 --> 00:11:47.040 So if somebody in a handicap uh can can access that to do whatever. Uh according to the um building inspector, the 40 00:11:47.040 --> 00:12:02.360 playscape is over the 10-ft whatever it is height and it's on a commercial property, has to be tied to the ground so that it can't sail away. And per building inspector, that has to 41 00:12:02.360 --> 00:12:24.040 happen before the building inspector will issue a uh permit to use that. Those are the primary uh the only real changes to the site plan that you guys approved at the prior meetings. Has conservation looked at the plans for 42 00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:41.240 the play space and the ramps, right? Not yet. So um this has to be brought before conservation commission for a ramp, but I don't believe that's been done as of yet. Can you speak to that, Steve? I I can't quite understand you. Oh, sorry. Uh 43 00:12:41.240 --> 00:12:59.520 has conservation looked at this to give their okay on the location of the ramp? Um they will be. We haven't submitted that yet. The location of the ramp? From gazebo one. 44 00:12:59.520 --> 00:13:21.160 Yeah. They won't have a problem. I I've spoken with Sabrina and they they she's told me they don't have a problem with this at all. We just have to finalize submitting it. Okay. Okay. 45 00:13:21.160 --> 00:13:37.400 Okay. Well, um again, the town manager and I went out to the site for site visit today. Um John made recommendations, I believe, um for paving of the um 46 00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:53.520 the at least the uh the section where there's uh handicap the southernmost handicap uh um yeah. Parking space. And so in speaking with the building inspector, 47 00:13:53.520 --> 00:14:10.280 um I brought up that concern uh should be uh handicap parking space be paved and um he seemed to believe well, in his opinion uh the play space and building commissioner um the the the hard pack gravel would be 48 00:14:10.280 --> 00:14:36.520 sufficient. >> [clears throat] >> I believe that Mr. Bobby wants to address that. Right. Okay. Any questions Sounds like there are changes we need to make in the plan. 49 00:14:36.520 --> 00:14:57.480 Okay. With what's presented to us? >> With what's presented. Mr. Phelps? I Looks good. Okay. Mr. Phelps? Yeah. Um what is the number for the approval on 50 00:14:57.480 --> 00:15:13.720 that? You said no vote. Okay. Um do you have any vote on it? And because of that, for the special permit modification This is we have a phone and a vote discussion attorney. So that need for 51 00:15:13.720 --> 00:15:31.640 No, it's not it's um Okay. Will you be submitting a revised plan? Will be recorded? Mr. Salvini or what how does this end 52 00:15:31.640 --> 00:15:51.600 up? Um I don't know that it gets recorded in the registry of deeds. Right. No, does not. I'm assuming it has to be recorded with the uh So there was a plan that was originally recorded with the original 53 00:15:51.600 --> 00:16:10.120 special permit. So this this plan would replace that that plan that was with the original special permit, correct? Correct. It says that the sidewalk is 3-ft wide. But then here it says it should 54 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:27.200 not be less than 48 in wide. And in this letter it says we'll we'll make a 3-ft wide walkway cuz it's a main minimum. But on this page it says it's got to be 48 in according to 521 55 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:43.680 CMR. So that's a matter that came up today during our site visit and so I I reached out to Steve. He he said So the plan that's on the screen is a new plan that addresses the uh the 4-ft width. So he's increased it from from 3-ft to 56 00:16:43.680 --> 00:17:07.000 uh 4-ft on the plan. Thanks. Are there any questions or comments from board members Okay. Okay. Um in front of us, board members have a letter 57 00:17:07.679 --> 00:17:24.360 that reads on May 5th, 2026, the South Hadley Board voted to approve the above-referenced petition to allow the applicant such changes to reconfigure parking spaces and install ADA-compliant walkways and pathways from the principal structure to the playscape as well as to 58 00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:40.600 the free-standing and outdoor accessory structure, otherwise known as gazebo one at Crave Tea House restaurant as a minor site plan modification. The modification shall be in accordance and as specified on submitted site plans and entitled revised Board from May 8th, 2026. Plan 59 00:17:40.600 --> 00:17:56.880 to accompany modification of special permit dated April 29th, 2026 and prepared by Salvini Associates LLC as well as any correspondence attached and subject to the following conditions. Condition one, this approval is for only the intended configuration of parking 60 00:17:56.880 --> 00:18:13.560 spaces, fire lane configuration and all walkways at 48-in minimum width from the principal structure to the playscape as well as to the free-standing outdoor accessory structure otherwise known as gazebo one indicated on the plan. No other features indicated on the attached plan shall be 61 00:18:13.560 --> 00:18:28.520 incorporated into this approval decision. Condition two, in accordance with the special permit and association association with this site plan, proper signage and striping shall be added to indicate fire lane and handicap parking spaces. 62 00:18:28.520 --> 00:18:45.320 Condition three, this approval does not constitute Conservation Commission approval and necessary permits or filings with the Conservation Commission shall be explored. Condition four, compliance with all American Disabilities Act ADA matters is the responsibility of the petitioner. 63 00:18:45.320 --> 00:19:02.320 All remaining unaltered conditions of any previous planning board decision prior to May 5th, 2026 for Crave Tea House shall remain in effect for the original plan of the decision. Well, I'm not going to vote yes. So um you see the plan 64 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:19.560 you see what it's saying. In red, I got to change that to 5 5 cuz I saw it in the plan today. So I'll make that change. The letter would be modified to read the modification shall be in accordance and as specified on submitted site plans and entitled revised 5 5 2026 plan to 65 00:19:19.560 --> 00:19:46.560 accompany modification of special permit. Mr. Phelps? Who's the motion for um site plan? You have to abstain. No. I don't know if it's endorse or approve. Um 66 00:19:46.560 --> 00:20:08.640 I don't know. Let's call on our planner for advice. Usually this is Speaker, there's there's no more teaching. Mhm. Site plan reviewed. It's just a revision of the site plan 67 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:59.600 that was submitted originally. Mhm. Yeah. I'm just making sure I have the right wording for the motion, Steve. You can just do a motion to approve. I would say approve. Mhm. All right. And do I have a motion to 68 00:20:59.600 --> 00:21:17.600 approve the minor site plan modification as described here and and with the attached letter of outlining conditions. I make a motion. Second. Marcus Felts second. All right. I'll vote yes for right now. Is it 69 00:21:17.600 --> 00:21:53.440 unanimous vote? Marcus Felts aye. No. That one is all set, Steve. Next on the agenda we have an A&R for 67 175 and the Southwick lot. Is it a black lot? Yes. 70 00:21:53.440 --> 00:22:20.160 We heard that in council. I don't have anything. No. Um We understand we have 21 days to act upon this particular request for for any plan approval. 71 00:22:22.320 --> 00:22:38.600 So, you have options um for how we move forward. Um again, we were at the board is seeking approval from council in order to do this for quite a while in the past. Um um Um but our next meeting would be um 72 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:57.400 outside of the 21-day period. So, it's up to the at the discretion of the petitioner to allow the planning board to have the time necessary to seek legal counsel and to bring it back before the 73 00:22:57.400 --> 00:23:17.160 the board on uh the next date, which is uh May 26th, our next planning board date. Um that's up to the petitioner. Otherwise, um the petitioner should move forward to uh the town clerk. I am 74 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:36.600 of the opinion that I would wait for council's advice on this. Um I do understand that in the time frame as awaiting for that, that the constructive approval could be granted and the applicant could 75 00:23:36.600 --> 00:23:53.600 take the A&R and file it at the clerk's office and it would be done. Um does the applicant uh uh would agree to allow us to wait for our council's opinion? We consulted with the board on that and we we're 76 00:23:53.600 --> 00:24:11.480 favorable to waiting, letting council weigh in on it. We want it done correctly as well. Okay. And I'll clear. So, we're we're fine with that. Very good. Then um we will have this listed again on our agenda for our next 77 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:32.920 meeting on the 26th and I would presume that at that point in time council will give us their opinion. We'll vote on that. Thank you, Bonnie. Next on the agenda is the Can I interrupt? I could Can I interrupt for a 78 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:48.760 sec? I I didn't quite catch that. Madam President, what did you What are you going to do? We're going to We're continuing it on. We're going to have it on our agenda Oh. on the 26th um so that the board can act on it, I 79 00:24:48.760 --> 00:25:04.440 guess. Oh. If you do find out ahead of time and you want to you can always have a It only takes about 48 hours to have a meeting. So, you could have a special meeting if you needed to 80 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:21.840 prior to the shot clock running out. Um I will take that under advisement. Yeah, just give me I would say that also um with it being town meeting season, I don't know if that that necessarily is a likely occurrence, but I will keep that in 81 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:36.560 mind. Okay. Thank you. Have a good night. You as well. All right. Next, we have a decision for 20 Juniper Road, the public safety wireless communications tower 82 00:25:36.560 --> 00:26:05.400 special permit and site plan review decision. Board members have this in front of them. Would you like to review it briefly? And then if all members are comfortable with just kind of looking at the 83 00:26:05.400 --> 00:26:50.160 highlights. I'm good with the highlights. All right. We have the all of our lovely decisions. We start with the procedural history. And we go and we make 84 00:26:50.160 --> 00:27:18.240 assessments as at the bottom. And then we come down to the specific answers. And Mr. Speaker is not voting. Yes. Yes. Yeah, let me go to the bottom. Thanks. Um we typically call that note from Mr. 85 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:37.800 Speaker's note voting on that. And we have our general findings. Reading proposals and mitigation. What do you have to say closing the constructs? And then we move on to the special 86 00:27:37.800 --> 00:28:29.000 permit and criteria. And we go through all of those special permits. Any questions as we go down on that? No. Okay. Any questions on those as we go through them, board members? And then we move on to 87 00:28:29.000 --> 00:29:30.000 the site plan standards. Any questions on those? And then we move on to the wireless communications facilities criteria. Number nine special calls out the waving of the balloon plane test. We will we 88 00:29:30.000 --> 00:30:03.080 will um move on. Number 10 is calling out the setback. >> And number 11 in particular on this matter talks about a waiver. You step back. 89 00:30:04.560 --> 00:30:27.480 And the position being at the setback of this particular property is subject to the legal easement agreements. Noted. Number 12 in particular calls out to the exemption that allows the planning board to waive special permit requirements, including dimensional requirements for 90 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:53.080 towers and other WCS to be used exclusively for public safety and municipal communications, which is application is that for? Any questions on those? Next, we have specific findings. So, for number 12, should we say we are 91 00:30:53.080 --> 00:31:10.680 waiving it or do we say that later? We do say that later. Okay. Yep. So, the planning board may waive. So, it's just making a statement. Okay. It's not saying how we're complying with it. Or how they are complying with it. 92 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:31.720 Number 11 above it kind of calls it out. And number nine. And so, I think number 12 is meant to provide the uh the specific part of the bylaw that justifies the numbers above it. 93 00:31:38.920 --> 00:32:25.520 Should we move on? Sure. Um specific findings. We need good questions on those on page 13. Okay. We want to update the planning board. Good. 94 00:32:36.880 --> 00:32:52.600 The commissioner Owens is working on that. The first waiver reads, "This planning board considers the following waivers from the requirements of the town of Southwick bylaw chapter 185-23.1 for wireless communication facilities as requested by the applicant. >> [clears throat] 95 00:32:52.600 --> 00:33:07.560 >> Excuse me. After conducting the required public hearing on this matter and after considering all of the evidence and testimonies submitted by the applicant, members of the public, and others during the public hearing on the special permit request, the planning board considers the granting of the following waivers from strict compliance with the town of 96 00:33:07.560 --> 00:33:23.160 Southwick bylaw chapter 185-23.1 is in the public interest and not inconsistent with the intent and purposes of the wireless communications facilities use regulations. Specifically, 185-23.1 97 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:40.880 D6B states the planning board may waive special permit requirements, including dimensional requirements for towers and other WCS to be used exclusively for public safety and municipal communications. Um the first motion is a motion to 98 00:33:40.880 --> 00:33:58.760 planning board take the following action to waive the requirement under 185-23.1 F criteria requiring a balloon or crane test. Do I hear a motion? Motion to approve. Do I hear a second? Marcus Phelps 99 00:33:58.760 --> 00:34:17.720 second. So, we're changing the text there. Yes, he is working on that. And going back to the second paragraph under waivers Yes. Uh 1 2 3 fourth line, well, follows the planning 100 00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:37.640 board considers the granting. I would say just the planning board grants the following waivers. Yes. We felt consider the granting. He is been making motion to grant it. 101 00:34:40.080 --> 00:34:55.679 Okay. Okay. We'll do a roll call vote. And then the amendment listed, do I hear a motion to approve the waiver as modified? Motion to approve the waiver as modified. All right. Second. Marcus Phelps second. 102 00:34:55.679 --> 00:35:12.400 Roll call vote. Just before 9. Jason Gunn roll call. Daniel Webster Just vote abstain. Jason Gunn roll call Marcus Phelps aye. Bonnie Olson aye. Um the next waiver 103 00:35:12.400 --> 00:35:29.280 it was said and it reads to waive the requirement under 185-23.1 G2 criteria requiring the setback of a tower from the property line of the lot on which it is located to the center of the tower shall be greater than or equal 104 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:44.359 to 1 and 1/2 times the height of the tower. However, the planning board determines that the proposed location closer to the property line is advantageous because the proposed location minimizes visual impacts without materially impacting the neighboring uses and there are no nearby 105 00:35:44.359 --> 00:36:01.880 residences. That's particularly where there are no residential structures located within the fall safety radius. Do I hear a motion for the planning board to grant that waiver? Motion to accept. 106 00:36:01.880 --> 00:36:26.800 Do I hear a second? Marcus Phelps second. Roll call vote. Just before 9. Daniel Webster abstain. Jason Gunn roll call Marcus Phelps aye. Bonnie Olson aye. And so, moving on in the decision 107 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:46.320 we have the decision language and terms and conditions. Specifically, that the structure to be constructed under the special permit will include one wireless communications tower and one 10 ft by 10 ft communications equipment building and one standby generator as shown on 108 00:36:46.320 --> 00:37:17.920 the approved site plan. The remaining language is standard. So, that's special permit language. Number eight in specific calls to alleviate the aforementioned encroachment on the adjacent lot within the fall safety radius and easement has 109 00:37:17.920 --> 00:37:34.480 been agreed upon between J Dot LLC um which are Wally 3 WH and the town of Southwick shall be drafted, embedded by town council, and recorded with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds on or prior to July 110 00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:54.359 1st, 2026. That date was selected as that's the date the town has to be up and operations. For our department so Oh, all right. If they're going to turn it on, they better have the easement, right? Recorded. Right? Um perhaps. 111 00:37:56.520 --> 00:38:22.040 Any questions or comments on the move? No? No. Okay. We have the record of the vote listed to grant a special permit and site plan approval and that will not change because that closed vote is on last week when Mr. Stine was present. 112 00:38:22.040 --> 00:38:37.760 Um but with that left do I hear a motion to approve the decision as written? Jason Gunn roll call motion to accept. Second. 113 00:38:37.760 --> 00:38:56.880 Marcus Phelps second. Roll call vote. Just before 9. Daniel Webster abstain. Jason Gunn roll call Marcus Phelps aye. Bonnie Olson aye. Thank you for working hard for that that I can certainly I'm 114 00:38:56.880 --> 00:39:12.480 I'm given as it can be and one decision. Any questions? Next on the agenda is the Greens of Southwick U shaped division Honey Brook Lane, Silver Grass Lane, and all kinds trail. Planning board's 115 00:39:12.480 --> 00:39:31.000 recommendation to accept. We put the electric Southwick we did receive back from the engineering department for a long time ago. I sent that to the the applicant as well as um 116 00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:47.960 DPW. Um just waiting for the applicant to respond uh with their opinion comments to the report. So, we were asked by the select board right which we to 117 00:39:47.960 --> 00:40:05.120 provide a recommendation for street acceptance. I believe that ask was given to us in anticipation of this being included on the warrant for annual town meeting. Which we obviously that is not happened 118 00:40:05.120 --> 00:40:20.880 it is not been included on the warrant and not without all this done. Um. I wonder if the select board wants an answer prior to town meeting or if we should just 119 00:40:20.880 --> 00:40:49.960 continue to act as if there was no by law. Are you asking me? I think so. I I'm just trying to make sure you weren't waiting on us saying yay or nay and then then we will continue waiting on this 120 00:40:49.960 --> 00:41:30.240 for the third view to come to us before we'll take action. Next on the agenda is the antique action item review for housing item 2.7. Are we ready for this or are we going to I think we're done with it. The 121 00:41:30.240 --> 00:41:47.800 home view 2.7 is out of the way the charge with an action of this particular action item which states um to allow for the name of alternate home designs for example tiny homes and clarify their definition. 122 00:41:54.240 --> 00:42:09.960 So, my my hesitation with this and um this has nothing to do with my thoughts on alternative home designs tiny homes or whatever else that might mean as I'm not entirely 123 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:24.800 certain what those are supposed to be other than the example given. That um how the planning board would go about doing that 124 00:42:24.800 --> 00:42:41.480 and without bringing in the entire photo discussion of lot sizes and that you know at this point in time you can put a small home so long as it meets building code 125 00:42:41.480 --> 00:42:57.200 requirements like that's the building inspectors job right if you want to spend as little money as possible building small home versus a bigger home. I don't think that there's anything currently in chapter 185 that prevents that other than perhaps the cost requirements 126 00:42:57.200 --> 00:43:12.280 that comes with having a parcel of land big enough for whichever residential zoning districts you happen to looking at and I think in my head the infrastructure concerns and 127 00:43:12.280 --> 00:43:27.840 qualifications that require us to have a certain amount of frontage and area. If that kind of that's that's the focus of our by law is that versus the what is built 128 00:43:27.840 --> 00:43:43.600 on it. Um don't have control of the land. And so I was hoping maybe Mr. Phelps would have an idea of maybe I know I'm looking at you. Yeah. >> I like this meeting and you're asking me. Why not? I just think that it Okay. 129 00:43:43.600 --> 00:43:58.000 >> Yeah, if you have an overview of the intent of this particular action item. Back in the day as a master plan chair. More affordable housing. More affordable. Do we have we allow accessory dwelling units? Yes, we do. We 130 00:43:58.000 --> 00:44:14.480 do. We did um create a by law to allow for them. >> so we have that. Mhm, yes. Does that do you think that is also addressed by alternate >> back up? I I look at the the language again the text. 131 00:44:14.480 --> 00:44:43.120 Test my eyes. So, again it states to allow for the name of alternate alternate home designs example tiny homes and clarify the definitions. I would think you would try to include that in your review of the 185 132 00:44:43.120 --> 00:44:58.600 and see accessory dwelling unit could be any design I would think we have a minimum or maximum square footage a lot of times on uh ADUs they say you can't have a unit 133 00:44:58.600 --> 00:45:16.400 larger than 900 square feet or Yeah, well like it's 50% but then up to Yeah, up to 50. Up to 50% of the principal dwelling. But max at that 900. And is it attached or detached? Any. 134 00:45:16.400 --> 00:45:34.120 Either or it could be um So, that could be a pretty good size ADU. I mean the accessory dwelling unit 50% say you have a house that's 4,000 square feet. >> No, it's it's it's 50% up to 50% max 900 135 00:45:34.120 --> 00:45:50.320 I think it's what >> Oh, okay. 900. That's Yeah, okay. So, I you know I think when I first read this um action item my brain first yes went to ADUs well I will be updated our by laws to allow for 136 00:45:50.320 --> 00:46:05.000 those um but anything beyond that I'm not sure what other alternate home designs and and again when the one example that's called out of tiny homes that where the power of the 137 00:46:05.000 --> 00:46:22.480 planning board lies is in lot dimensions and Setbacks. Setbacks and things like that. So, it's you know I I wouldn't think that the board would make changes to those physical requirements 138 00:46:22.480 --> 00:46:39.480 based upon the goal of a tiny home versus keeping in line with health and safety and title five requirements that we have enough uh square footage on a particular lot to allow for those items. Sewer and water. 139 00:46:39.480 --> 00:47:00.359 Is that the biggest issue for us? Yeah, I I agree as far as how much you would specifically address design. Your comment for me. I do recall part of the conversations that were around this. >> Oh, thank you. And it was um 140 00:47:00.359 --> 00:47:17.120 to hopefully to allow smaller lots so that tiny homes could be permitted. Okay, too. So, it's lot size as well as accommodating the small home. And the definition of an ADU because ADUs were being talked about at that 141 00:47:17.120 --> 00:47:31.760 time. But I think the population of those discussions viewed those separate. A tiny home is a standalone home. Obviously a home. Okay. So, that kind of reinforces 142 00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:48.200 probably and under the revision of 185. Because you'd have to change the dimensions. You know, you'd have to change lot size and What would be really realistically where there is 143 00:47:48.200 --> 00:48:03.920 proper infrastructure. Yeah. I mean you may say it can only be done in R20 zone uh and change the specifications for R20 that it can be denser. 144 00:48:03.920 --> 00:48:21.840 If if provided with town water and Yeah, right. If those things Yeah, so maybe they >> Because on a small lot that's the issue in Southwick. The reason we have you know, 60,000 square foot lot size is 145 00:48:21.840 --> 00:48:37.600 because you have to have a septic you need an onsite septic and then you have to have a backup area where if that one fails you can put in another one. So, you need you know, it's hard to get density. And uh 146 00:48:37.600 --> 00:48:54.280 you need infrastructure like Alvin said. So, >> So, perhaps the answer to this is uh a two parter that um the board has allowed for tiny homes and detached ADU um 147 00:48:54.280 --> 00:49:10.240 language that the other changes that need to be done to allow for denser and smaller homes to be built on smaller lot sizes will be reviewed in the chapter 185 update for zoning and 148 00:49:10.240 --> 00:49:24.960 then will be done based upon water and title five's recommendations as opposed to design standards of like a house, right? Is that Yeah, maybe for a a small structure you don't need 149 00:49:24.960 --> 00:49:41.360 as big a septic system so you can have smaller lot size. Right, but I think there is still like minimums that title five requires like if the idea that you could start with a tiny home and then add a bedroom on it or so like the also the idea that it's one bedroom that 150 00:49:41.360 --> 00:49:57.800 needs two occupants at minimum, you know? So Well, and you could put in the 185, you need a special permit process to put in a small home on small lot. I mean, those are things they go a lot 151 00:49:57.800 --> 00:50:15.320 deeper than Yeah. All right. So, maybe and we will think about this a little bit further and see if there's an answer to drop off that gives the intent and maybe also whether this will close this action. 152 00:50:16.480 --> 00:50:35.080 Justina's input, too. As I input. Um All right. Next on the agenda is the open space recreation plan. Review and comments. Last week at our meeting, Mr. Greenwald 153 00:50:35.080 --> 00:50:52.320 Stephan Greenwald, right? volunteered and I think the plan is for he and I and Mr. Allen to find some time to meet to coordinate on this answer so that when you that committee gets up and running, you will have all that information and you'll be ready and ready to go. 154 00:50:52.320 --> 00:51:12.200 That's good. Okay. Were there any late submittal addendums? Mm. Board members, do you have any in front of them? Meeting minutes for October 8th. I had a chance to read through addendums 155 00:51:12.200 --> 00:51:35.160 questions or changes. Mhm. Is everybody else in full? Mhm. Yep. Mhm. Mhm. Yes. And do I hear a motion to approve the meeting minutes for October 8th, 2018? 156 00:51:35.160 --> 00:51:52.640 So moved, Jasper so moved. And a second? It's Roll of second. Roll call vote this 19. Jasper I. Jasper Greenwald I. Ardis Phelps yes. Honey Saba I. Are there any planning board member or 157 00:51:52.640 --> 00:52:11.920 staff member comments? Nope. Well, at the next meeting someone else will be sitting in this chair. And uh I appreciate the opportunity to be on the planning board again. And um 158 00:52:11.920 --> 00:52:26.600 I'll be around. We appreciate your hard work. Yes. Um I will maybe get a little sappy and just say that I hold you in very high esteem, Mr. Phelps. 159 00:52:26.600 --> 00:52:41.840 And ever since my first time walking into this room as somebody complaining in a chair over there, you have afforded me nothing but respect and positive guidance and encouragement. And I don't think I would be sitting 160 00:52:41.840 --> 00:52:58.480 over here if not for that and given by you. And I speak for myself and the entire community in thanking you for all the hours and dedication that you've given both to this board, to the master plan committee, and to just 161 00:52:58.480 --> 00:53:17.160 being a positive person within the town of Southwick. So, I thank you. Thank you. Um and if I would just hook me up with jam every once in a while. Oh, jam and jelly. That would be even more perfect. 162 00:53:17.160 --> 00:53:32.280 And I could see it all the car shows. Thank you. Um Then with that I Oh, yeah. We do have a working group meeting for the planning uh rewrite or sorry, zoning rewrite. Um so, that would be 163 00:53:32.280 --> 00:53:50.280 this Thursday at 11. Okay. All right. Do I hear a motion to adjourn? So moved, Jasper so moved. Oh, I'm sorry. What's that? Yeah. I want to talk about Noble Street Crossing. It wasn't You didn't ask me to. It wasn't on not on the agenda cuz 164 00:53:50.280 --> 00:54:06.760 he's not here. Um but I need to speak about All right. I apologize for that. Name and address for the record. I am Michael Schultz, 20 Noble Street Crossing. All right. Um So, I looked back at all the meetings and it's 3 and 1/2 months ago 165 00:54:06.760 --> 00:54:22.080 uh Justin, you had a conversation about cleaning up the area. It was supposed to be cleaned up. I sent pictures to Nicole Parker on this evening. Allen uh Allen, I sent them to you also. Okay. The comment made that it was going to 166 00:54:22.080 --> 00:54:39.359 look beautiful. 3 and 1/2 months ago. It was going to look like no one was ever there. It's terrible. You pushed logs into the woods. There's a huge pile of stumps that is not natural that is still there. 167 00:54:39.359 --> 00:54:55.920 You put a curb up and just ran up, pulled those over. That's not cleaned up. The last meeting I was at, we talked about or I talked about coming to do it. Who has been on Noble Street Crossing 168 00:54:55.920 --> 00:55:12.760 since the last meeting to see it? I drove through before we met with Mr. Saltmarsh, I think after the meeting. I think we were there. So, a month and a half. Yes. Right. It looks exactly the same. So, if you saw that, 169 00:55:12.760 --> 00:55:29.720 you know it wasn't cleaned up. Now, the sidewalks that he's done is the same thing I was here about a month and a half ago to talk about. They go off of a cliff on the other side of the ravine for about 15 ft. 170 00:55:29.720 --> 00:55:45.800 They don't connect to where he stopped. They connect at the end of the road where it drops off a cliff for 10 ft. What I'm concerned about is that we keep nickel and diming this project on Noble Street Crossing. 171 00:55:45.800 --> 00:56:03.320 And we keep prolonging the fact that I have to live there as a resident in what is a construction zone. I've only been here 4 years, thank God. But it's been a construction zone for eight. And whether or not he was a part of the beginning of it, he got into it. 172 00:56:03.320 --> 00:56:20.040 He is responsible. Just like I would be responsible for my house. I didn't build it, but I'm responsible for what it looks like. He is responsible for what that road looks like. And him not being here because he sent 173 00:56:20.040 --> 00:56:37.440 you an email saying he did X. Does anyone know where 28 Noble Street Crossing is? It's at the cliff. And so, it's the easiest work that somebody could do without having to dig up the power box and all these other parts. 174 00:56:37.440 --> 00:56:53.000 So, I am not a construction I I don't know. guy, right? And I would say that some of the things that you are mentioning get brought up in these discussions with Mr. Saltmarsh and those are 175 00:56:53.000 --> 00:57:09.920 those are planned piecemeal actions that are done either because it ends because we're waiting on other pieces to come in or to be finished. So, I can't I can't go back and forth with you here about what it is. Um 176 00:57:10.120 --> 00:57:25.120 Again, if you have a concern about work that's being done or that is done, it can be outlined and sent to the DPW to have them review what's there and whether or not it is I I understand your frustration in living what you would call a 177 00:57:25.120 --> 00:57:43.000 construction zone, but it is it's it's still under construction, right? It's not going to be perfect. It's not going to be buttoned up completely at this point, right? It's still getting And you can >> And well, at this point in time, I'm not in control of the DPW crossing, right? 178 00:57:43.000 --> 00:57:57.920 That's the biggest concern at this point. The biggest delay is the state and the DP in the crossing area. And I can't I can't tell the developer I want you to create an imaginary sidewalk over something that's not finished, right? So, it's I'm not asking 179 00:57:57.920 --> 00:58:12.680 you to. I'm not asking for anything over there. I told you in the last meeting, I would not let anyone drive on that thing if he's a part of it. So, I'm not asking you to put a sidewalk over the ravine. I'm asking you to put a sidewalk on the street where there's houses, where there's kids that ride bikes and walk. 180 00:58:12.680 --> 00:58:28.880 So, right now, if you go on the road, there's a five-house gap of what he did for sidewalks. And I think that that that's part of the upcoming plan is to finish up that sidewalk. Am I not correct in that brief? I think >> think that's what that's And I'm not here to go back and forth. So, I want to 181 00:58:28.880 --> 00:58:43.800 make it very clear. I don't come here to go back and forth. I sat at my house for 4 years and I watched nothing happen on the road. So, I'm here because I've been talked to Nicole and I've talked to other people that people have to hold him accountable 182 00:58:43.800 --> 00:59:00.720 for what he's not doing. And so, since the last meeting, we put in 10 ft of sidewalk. You guys have a timeline. Are we privy to that timeline on when the sidewalks are going to be completed? Perfect time to lay grass seed down to make that area as 183 00:59:00.720 --> 00:59:16.680 you asked to do 3 and 1/2 months ago, beautiful like no one's ever lived there, where no one's ever been there. It looks as if every tree that was cut down and stump that was put down is in a big mound and it's still there. And all the other trees, 184 00:59:16.680 --> 00:59:31.160 stumps are still there. We just pushed them backwards. That's all. So, I'm not here to go back and forth with anyone. I'm here to ask the town to hold someone accountable 185 00:59:31.160 --> 00:59:48.320 for work cuz last year nothing was done. One whole year nothing was complete. And I'm afraid that if we don't drive on the road and we take an email or a phone call whatever it was that this was done on that street 186 00:59:48.320 --> 01:00:05.320 that's what we do on the street. That's not what's happening. It's not what's happening. I I met with DPW last week along with Mr. Allen and the impression that I received was that they had been keeping that on the work 187 01:00:05.320 --> 01:00:21.600 that he has been emailing to us and saying as it's gotten done. So at this point I don't know if that's not up to the standard that you were I don't care what you do to the street at all. I don't have any standards. I'm Or your expectations are however you 188 01:00:21.600 --> 01:00:36.920 Yeah, I'm I don't have expectations. I'm just asking for work to be done. I'm going back to your comment 3 and 1/2 months ago that I had a meeting saying will it look as beautiful as if no one's ever touched it. And if I don't know that he's come to me 189 01:00:36.920 --> 01:00:55.680 and said it's completely done. Is that completely done? Right. So that's what I'm asking. What is that timeline? Is that listed on the timeline that he has given me the timeline? We have to send it out. I apologize. 190 01:00:55.680 --> 01:01:12.200 Yeah. So if you would like a look at the timeline, if you reach out to Mr. Allen during business hours he has that and you could look at it and go over it and say I'm confused. Why is this happening here and not happening there? And I think that might give you more 191 01:01:12.200 --> 01:01:27.880 detail as to what you're looking for and understanding of what we are asking of him, what he's told us he's going to do and what we're going to be looking for. Perfect. Okay. Thank you very much. Allen, I'll be in your office tomorrow. Mr. Allen, I'll be in your office tomorrow. Okay. Thank you. 192 01:01:27.880 --> 01:01:46.120 All right. Um do I hear a motion for adjournment? I make a motion for adjournment. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Aye. Aye.