Okay, great. Um, hey everyone. Uh, we're going to open up the Monday, January 12th, 2026, uh, Swampscott 12. My entree, I went with the order. >> Okay.
>> All right. Um, >> so we'll open the meeting. Um, and I think the first thing that we have is just approval of the minutes. >> All right. So, let's see. The minutes were from We have here, Chris, or are we
going to pull them up or >> Yeah, I will pull them up. Um, they're not in the packet, but I did send them Okay. >> beforehand. Are you all able to see on the screen? I didn't have any I don't know if anybody else >> Can I tilt this a little bit?
>> Is this tiltable? >> Oh, towards us. >> You can try. >> Yeah, >> you can also try try to >> It's catching >> uh a little more. a little more because it's got one big slab of light. Right. Okay. Better. >> That's perfect. >> Better. >> Yeah.
>> Just make it a little bit bigger if you could. >> It's just the ceiling light is reflecting on it. >> Oh, much better. >> Thanks, J. And thank you, Christa. That's much better. Okay,
right. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. All right, I got that. Okay. Okay. Um, sure. Okay.
>> Any comments? >> I'm fine with it. >> Make a motion to accept the uh meeting minutes. >> Second >> last month. >> Uh all those in favor? >> I >> I >> Great. >> Great. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um before we just move into the
rest of the meeting, you know, obviously this is a full house tonight, fuller than normal. So, uh we're going to try to, you know, keep folks on a little bit more of a schedule. So, I' I'd ask just if you could, you know, I I'll open it up for each petitioner to give an initial presentation, but if you could
try to keep that to about five minutes just so that we can then get board comments, public comments, and a you know, summation at the end, um I'd appreciate that. Uh so to start that off um we are hearing uh application 2520. This is
continued from the December 10th public hearing uh for 55 Puritan Road uh by Peter Solaris. >> Hi. >> Hey. >> Um are we going to put something up on the screen or do you want >> I can do it or you can share?
>> Uh yeah, I can share mine. How do I I'm looking. Oh, the share button right there. if you could just introduce your I we know who >> Sorry. I'm sorry. Peter Solaris uh for 55 Puritan Road in Swanskott. >> All right, let's see if that works.
Yep. So, last time we were here, we we talked about um a lot of things and I believe we did a a a nice job kind of addressing everything we we spoke about and I just want to go through that with everyone right now. Um this kind of shows a
little rendering of the proposed um changes at 55 Puritan Road. I know we talked specifically about you can can you see my Yeah, you can. So, we specifically talked about
that front entrance. Originally, it did not have a band going across as it actually does now. Um, now meaning currently. So, currently the building has a nice trim band going around the front of it and around the right and
around the left. And we had kind of stopped in the original proposal. The columns almost went all the way up to the band. So it it did look a little bizarre. I'd have to agree. So um we brought it down to something I feel the
scale is is more appropriate that you know how we talked about with with Jer mostly, you know, architecturally. Um, we we've played a little bit with like a Bordon bat on the front and a classic sighting to the right. Um, but I've got
a couple of versions of that and and I'll show you. I I kind of nailed it down to two, which is right here. So, one is just traditional sighting all the way across. Um, we did add all the dental work in here that was not in the original
renderings. We always planned on keeping the dental work and it was it was a little simplistic obviously in the proposal but we a lot of detail in showing everything. So those are kind of the two options that I'm you know toying with. I I really haven't decided. I I like them
both so I put them in here. I'm open to some feedback with the board and batten. You know they're both kind of classic and traditional but really the major thing we did was change the way that that parking worked. um or I shouldn't say the parking work, the way that that looked, that garage looked. And then we
talked greatly about um the roof and access and elevation heights. So, I went in um we did up update all of that. So, we have a elevation line to the top of the
roof at 359 existing. We're not increasing that. Um, we are looking at, you know, a roof hatch and and something to cover up the AC units. Being that it's in a flood zone, we're trying to do something nice to cover those up. We're trying to keep it below the existing
chimney line that's there. So, the chimney line, as you can see, is a little bit taller than what we're proposing. Um, we also talked about the parking and how we were trying to get um, one compact and four regular size
cars. We have that can lever and I'm going to zoom in a little bit. I know there's a little delay. So right in there, that line shows that that's cantally levering over. And we talked about, you know, doing something where it's high enough where the front nose of a
car can go underneath so we can get two fullsize cars. And when I tell you I tried, I I tried the, you know, we possibly can, but I don't want to mislead the board and say, "Oh, yeah, we can do it." And then someone pulls up there. The only way to achieve that is
to nose dive the driveway and put the water all the way into the house. which is very difficult. Um I will kind of jump a little bit ahead and say I have the the plans of the electric driveway that we talked about
for the water and that of course if we implement which I really would like to do that and I know it's a you know it's a larger cost but it really makes a lot of sense for that water to be pitched off and not go into the house. So, real quick while we're here, this this here scenario, and when they first sent it to
me, I'm like, what is this? So, this scenario says it's a 16x8 compact car. And then that 4x10 is the walkway. So, I plan on on having it on the whole thing in the front so everything drains. And then the next one
is a full-size vehicle at 18 by9. And then what I'm calling a hybrid vehicle because I couldn't get the eight the 18. But I'll show you what I'll show you what we did get. And then the next one is 218 and 18 by 9. So all this configuration if it makes sense is the
electric um mat configuration that they build they designed for us. So it's kind of like in this section here it's a 6x9 by whatever it is 3 ft wide. So, it's a series of mats that you put underneath the asphalt or the pavers and then you use that. I just want to kind of show
that before I get back to the um the site plan >> and that basically heats the pavement. >> It heats it. Yeah. I I'm using it now in a location. It it's it's amazing. There's a sensor. As soon as it measures as soon as it senses snow, it goes on. It takes about I would say 20 minutes
for the asphalt to heat up and then it stays an additional you program an additional hour after the snow stops. Um, I can do it with I talked to them about using solar power and um, electricity.
So, it's it's a clever system where you'd like to say, I want to use all solar power because you don't have to there's no cost, right, if you're using solar power and it's green and I love it. But sometimes they said the solar power just doesn't do the job. So they
have a transmitter that knows that and it switches over to AC, DC, whatever the power voltage is and it kicks right in. So what I wanted to do is is um every unit like unit one, unit 2, unit 3 would have it on their own meter. So it's
meated separately. Everyone has it. Everyone has to use it. And it just it just makes it so easy with removing, you know, snow in that area cuz it's very tough. It's tough to move around on on Puritan in that in that street. So, um, >> five.
>> Did I go over five? >> No, I'm saying just do you're good. But >> yeah. Yeah, I'm almost done. Um, so, uh, the compact car, 8x6. The large cars, we have number three, number four, number five. And then the hybrid, we got a little bit above the 16 for a hybrid
with a 10ft wide. That's why I call it a hybrid. We also added the um greenery instead of a fence to the left and to the right. I did speak with my neighbor with Ted and the neighbor on the other side and we I have some ideas of some um
some shrubbery and so forth to use and we kind of left it off with we'll mutually agree upon something that's nice that's not too tall where you can't see backing out and making it a danger. But I I like the effect of of of putting more green on there than not. And then
we have um a little bit more of the green. And I don't know if you can see it on this on the walkway in between some kind of a pa. >> So, a little bit just I I thought it was a nice touch, an architectural nice touch. We really, you know, other than
that, it's really it's really um the electric heat underneath and and the hot top that's going to be primarily what's going on there. Um I think I got it all. I can pause obviously not go over the five minutes and and answer any questions. >> Thank you.
>> All right. And Jar, I did look at that building. I did try to do that. I saw that building with the parking underneath and the cross bracing. Yeah. And I tried versions of that. I just couldn't make it look as as nice. >> But we did try that.
>> Um, any comments from the board? >> Um, >> and I'm an expert, by the way, on car sizes. I can tell you what a compact is. I can tell you what a BMW 3 is, an X3, an Audi 7, an Audi Q. I found that most of them were way under. Even like the
compact cars were 12 feet, 13 feet. So, you got 16. A standard SUV. And I'll show you real quick. I've got a whole list of them right here. Um, standard sizes like a Volvo S60 15.6x 6, a BMW X series. Uh, I'll I'll just get right
down to like a large SUV, a Chevy Tahoe 1756. They're all under 18. But a standard like BMW X5 or Jeep Cherokee just under 16 16.9 15.7 and then the compacts are tiny 13 and so forth. So, I was surprised and kind of
happy to see that even if you know we we had a something smaller, a lot of vehicles fit under that 16 other than uh and even the the you know the other than the SUVs, the the Taho, the Yukons, Expeditions, the Escalades, those are
over 17. I think the the biggest concern there was that um you know and we mentioned you using some cobblestone type of thing to >> we have that in there too. Yeah. >> You know create a delineation between the driveway and the sidewalk
>> is that there is no encroaching on the sidewalk. Yes. So, that's going to be conditioned and something that that you'll have to, you know, monitor and just, you know, make sure that whoever parks there is not um is not sticking out in the >> Yeah. And we uh that's what we're going
to do similar to that like with a a cobble on the on the edge. So, it clearly defines um I'll put it in leases, I'll put it in whatever it takes and it it'll be on them and you know they'll know. Um I mean I could find them and kind of
police it myself. just to be a nuisance to them. I just want to get the parking off the street as much as I can. >> Um, okay. And I think, you know, you've done tried to do the best you can getting a little more greenery in the front. I mean, you know, I think there's
there are ways to get either it's, you know, short trimmed boxwood, shrubbery, something that >> isn't just a patch of grass, but does kind of, you know, speak as >> as a border. translates as something green there as opposed to because you you do have you know you are removing
all that >> the grass in the front and and it does look pretty stark without anything. So whatever you can do and you can certainly keep it short. No one's expecting to grow six foot trees there, but um >> you know, and I would you know, I'd
really want to personally see that as a you know, it's a condition of making sure that you >> Yeah. >> fit that kind of greenery in there. Um other than that, I don't have any other comments at the moment. I thought, you know, the roof lines, I think you did a
good job getting that down to scale. Um >> I I also feel dropping the skirt under the bay has helped help. >> Oh yeah, I agree. >> Feels a lot more stabilized. >> Um one question I do have just a a couple things jump that are are concerns
for me. What is the width of your front door? Cuz the landing going into that. >> Yeah, >> it's like it would become a pinch point that could be very difficult for >> uh coming and going with groceries. it would be very difficult to get furniture in and out of because you don't have any
sort of turning ability out there. >> So, I'm curious if that deck could actually match the dimensions of the the roof above it >> um and still allow for cars to come in and out cuz that does feel tight. >> Yeah, I I think we can do that. I mean,
I was shooting for a 48 in coming in and a 36 in door, >> but it looks like more >> the way it's drawn. It looks like >> 36 and a 36. >> 36 and 36. And I think you would be a lot better off just cuz if you've ever had that sort of >> It's tight. >> That's tough as the front door.
>> I have some wiggle room especially to the right um to do that for sure out the staircase too at the top. I mean, if you needed to keep it narrow at the bottom, right? But you you do seem to have enough space when I'm looking at that cuz I'm the >> on both sides
>> areas that you've marked for the cars aren't actually cars. They're the driveway width. >> Yeah. >> So I would I would sort of think making that a little bit more generous. It's just function work better. But it will also feel >> uh more substantial as an entrance. Y
>> um with that being pulled up there look great. >> Um there's I appreciate the variations on elevations. Um, my recommendation would be, especially with with eliminating the the first floor bay, not to just emphasize the turn of the bay.
Um, so if you're going in, I I think you would be better off maintaining the siding. So the bay feels like something that is integrated into the building, not attached to the building >> versus the board and bat >> vers versus the board and bat. the board and batten all of a sudden that that
unit feels like something attached instead of something that's that's integral to the structure. >> Yeah. >> Um and I think that will um especially when you >> are going to be experiencing that from the street and looking up, you're going to be seeing the underside of the of the
carport. So, you're going to really want to feel that that's an entire piece, not um not something that has a >> a a surface detail on it. I >> I do think the banding helps significantly um on it. I do notice that
you've done some experimentation with either uh maintaining the banding as it is or even adding a second. And I think I think that both are successful. >> Um right now this has light fixtures
that are on the first, second, and third floor as if the porches were still there. And I don't think I would recommend that because I feel like those would start um they will make it appear that there was a porch that was removed. >> Yeah. >> Which there was.
>> But the other thing is that they're they're adding light where there's no light really needed. >> Yeah. >> Um >> so I would I would avoid those. >> Um I had a question around the hatch. I I think it might just be a Revit thing, but there's two variations. You have a
hatch, then you have a hatch with like a >> safety rail around it. >> Um, so that might have just been imported um unintentionally. >> Um, and I think with this type of roof roof hatch, you're this is really about uh
access, not a uh not a depth there. >> Right. >> Okay, >> great. Um, I guess the only other thing I would say is I appreciate the introduction of the cobble. I'm wondering if it could be increased a little bit to start cutting
down the amount of black top out there. Um, just for heat gain, but also sort of maybe show where car parking >> I was going to say it could define the car. >> Yeah. To define the pedestrian to the the automotive. >> Yep. I like that. At least on the front where the columns
are. I'm looking at it now. >> Yeah. >> And around where the the passage in it. I I think that entry you could sort of >> allow that to be a little bit um >> wider. >> Yeah. Lighter in color. >> Thanks, Sure.
>> Bill, do you have anything? >> No. >> No. >> Um are you good, sir? >> All right. Great. Uh, anyone from the public here to speak on this? >> No. Okay. >> Online. Anyone online? >> Oh, yeah. Anyone online?
>> I did have one other recommendation. Um, on the rear elevation or the I'm from the Midwest, so we'd call it the front elevation. If you face the water, it was always the front of the building. Um, but here we'll call it the rear. The uh the windows there. My recommendation
would be to um to trim those windows comparably to the other windows so there's consistency. >> Okay. >> Cuz right now they're being shown as uh trimless. There's no banding on them at all. >> Gotcha.
Okay. >> Okay. Great. Um, if there are no further comments from the board, then even though we've already done this once before, I think it probably makes sense to just go through the uh special permit conditions
to make sure that we're all aboard. Um so just running through um let's see uh the project shall minimize the volume of cut and fill the number of removed trees uh the length of
removed stone walls the area of wetland vegetation displaced the extent of storm water flow increase from the site soil erosion and threat of air and water pollution. I think we're comfortable that it achieves that. Y >> um maximize pedestrian and vehicular
safety both onsite and egressing from it. I think we've solved that pretty well. >> Uh minimize obstruction of scenic views from publicly accessible locations. I >> think we've addressed that as well. Uh minimize visual intrusion by controlling
the visibility of parking, storage, or other outdoor service areas viewed from public ways or premises residentially used or zoned. Um, I think we spent most of our time talking about that and the parking. Um, minimize glare from headlights and lighting intrusion.
Uh, that's been addressed and thank you juror for those most recent lighting comments. >> Minimize unreasonable departure from the character materials and scale of buildings in the vicinity as viewed from public ways and places. Again, I think all the recent revisions have done a lot
to achieve that. Minimize contamination of groundwater from on-site wastewater disposal systems or operations on the premises involving the use storage, handling or containment of hazardous substances. Um, I don't think that's really a problem here. Ensure compliance with the provisions of this zoning
bylaw, including parking and landscaping that is satisfied. Minimize adverse traffic impact of the proposed project. I think just by adding the parking, it's beneficial. um and minimize the hazard of coastal flooding taking into account the effects of long-term sea level rise and storm
surge. Um I think that's achieved through >> these uh revisions as well. >> Um so with that uh Jer maybe you'd like to make a motion if you're inclined to
>> I would make a motion to approve >> identify this one. How do we identify this one? Is there a >> Well, well, I'll try to do it. >> Okay, >> you you correct me if I do it badly. Um,
what what I would do is propose that we um pass this with the conditions that the siding on the bay would be consistent with the house siding. Um and that the banding on the building be maintained
with the option of adding the third floor banding. Um the lighting be reduced to the first floor and not on the facade on the second and third floor. Um
with the widening of the front stoop to allow for easest either easier egress and the addition of PA stone uh in the pedestrian ways to
minimize the black top lot coverage. Did I hit everything? uh curb overreach is that >> I think that was included in the with the maximizing the curbing and I would just add all lighting is dark sky compliant which I know we talked about
last time >> and um that uh the in terms of the landscaping that we'd like to see landscaping with some sort of substance and not simply sort of you know um >> patches of grass which I know is
challenging here but I think you can >> we can do I think you're Yeah, I think we're um clear about, you know, what what's needed. Um and I think you'll do the best that you can here. And >> um Christa, do you have that? You want us to read
>> or do you want to read it to us? >> Okay. Um I I caught most of them. Um so you motion to approve with the conditions that the sighting um is consistent with the house sighting on
the bay. Um banding is maintained with the option for the third floor. Um and then there was another one >> uh >> sorry >> that the the with the option of adding the third floor the lighting that's above the
second floor on the facade be eliminated. >> Yep. >> Um >> front door widening >> widening of the landing on at the front door to increase uh ease of egress. Yep.
>> At the front door, >> landscape inclusion of landscaping as shown in plans >> and >> increasing of of non-blacktop pavers uh around the pedestrian areas including the front door
>> and to delineate the parking spots >> and to delineate the parking spots >> and dark sky compliant lighting. Mhm. >> And the last would be that I did forget, but I will add at this moment um that the trim on the new window configurations on the ocean side of the
building uh be to match the trim, the window trim on the rest of the house. >> I'll second that. >> All right. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> All right. So moved. >> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Very good. >> Thank you. >> I appreciate it. >> All right. The uh next item on the agenda is another continuation from the December 10th public hearing. This is application 25-21
uh 80 Puritan Road by Scott E. Scott Miller requesting a site plan special permit. Um, and before I open this one up to the petitioner, I just want to have the board talk for a moment because I think we're we either were still missing some application items earlier
today or we received them this morning. >> Yeah. And I don't have a copy of that one in front of me. Um, >> is that one in there? >> Right. So, um, the application is still missing a landscape plan. um as well as architectural elevations that separately
define existing and proposed. Right now they're combined into one elevation. >> So those are the the two things that are missing for a complete application. >> And I'd also I had some questions about the uh calculations of the
the uh square footage on the third the half story on the third floor. Um, so I'm wondering if you want to continue this, uh, you know, given that we have we've already heard this hearing, this petition at the last hearing. And, um,
>> and I I'd like to just clarify the elevations that were missing is the elevation of the existing house with the two neighboring houses showing the existing and the new version so that we see the the the scale and proportions. >> And we also don't have comments from all
the other board members. Um we're talking about the board members, pardon me, all the other um I was p um particularly interested in in the fire department in terms of the >> right. Um >> so we actually did receive um comments
from the fire department today following your request for that. Um and that has been added to the project folder. Um but they did not have any concerns. >> Okay, good. Um yeah, so we just um at the end of the
day, we just need to see a complete application and that's um that's the most important thing so that we can just get through the entire process smoothly and quickly and be able to evaluate the project properly.
>> So I would move to continue to the February meeting. >> I'll second. >> All those in favor? Hi. >> So, we'll continue it to the February meeting. Um, and if you could just have the full application by then and if you have any questions, you know, feel free
to reach out to the town or any of us just in terms of, you know, what's uh required to have it be complete by the next one. >> Okay. >> Okay. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, next item on the agenda is
application 24-18, 450 Paradise Road and 555 Essex Street by Centerp Retail Properties Incorporated um by Ken Schutzer, Esquire. Uh, Ken,
>> good evening. It's a pleasure to be before the board. We were last before the board, you may recall on January the 13th, at which time uh the approval for the site development plan was granted. Um in the interim, we've discovered a few modifications and revisions to those
plans. Uh you should have before you actually two letters uh from um Mr. Horzfeld of Kelly Engineering who's here this evening. uh one which was u I believe dated uh November the 18th and the other was
uh was today uh in response first to the revisions and second to some questions that the board had raised preliminarily uh for which a response has been provided. Um they dealt with the pad excuse me the pad labels the dumpsters
the fence and then there was a clarification issue. Um I sent those along and I hopefully you have them in your packets. I received them today. >> Uh so for the purpose of of moving this through uh especially in light of the the time constraints, uh Mr. Horsefeld
is here. He's here to describe the revisions and the modifications as well as if you want to put the uh the site plan on the screen in case there's any specific questions, he can answer them for you. >> Mr. Hold. Okay.
Can in the interest of time would it be better if if you guys had because the letter is pretty self-explanatory. If you have questions you could ask as opposed to having Garrett go through everything chapter verse, but it's your choice obviously.
Um I guess maybe I'll just do any board members have any specific questions that they want to address? Um if not, I might just take a minute. I didn't see the intelligence now, so I'm just going to look. Yeah, of course. >> Right. And I do want to note that um on
the screen they did provide responses to some comments that the board um and questions that you had. So um those are included as well. >> Thank you, Christa. Okay, I guess on that note number nine clarification, maybe you could just talk
to that. That was the main one that I was like, you know, just not even really concerned with, just a little confused about. Um it sounds like everything's aligned with whatever was permitted for, but maybe you could just point out whatever was changing. >> Yeah, certainly. Uh for the record, Garrett Horsefall with Kelly Engineering
Group, civil site engineer for the project. Um so a lot of these changes um can be s summarized as general project um development as these type of scale of projects advance with the architectural team as well as the landscape
architectural team. So, in terms of the plans being fully aligned for permitting, um our landscaping plans are fully in sync with the architectural plans. Um there were just some minor door revisions. Um the landscape exterior plazas have been modified. Um
but I think I noted some of my response is that some of the a lot of the critical setbacks for for reference the setback to Essex/Luring that buffer has been maintained that critical edge of the building did not shift. Um there were just some architectural banding strips in the built the facades of the building that
have been represented in that red overline um plan that has been submitted. Okay. >> Sure. Anything? >> These are hard to read. Just the overlays are are sort of confusing.
Everything looks like minor adjustments. Um, I would ask if if there is one that you all like I'm I'm seeing that there's the addition of some parking. Um, which is great to see on the side here. I'm
assuming that's based on site discovery. Um, >> look, when we're in the field, every day we're trying to see how we can make this thing better. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And you know, once you're on the ground, you get a feel for it. Obviously, I
think everybody recognizes based on Sam Walker's opening that we're going to be parking challenged. >> So, we want to try and make sure that we could carve out every space. >> Yeah. >> Keeping it as honest to what we're trying to accomplish.
>> But all of that seems great. It seems like you made some discoveries in the field allowed for it. >> That's exactly what this is. >> So, that's that's just why I I >> you know, in adapting to the the central tenants in the middle. Mhm. >> You know, >> just minor increase in building size,
but with within between the two buildings, so it's not an impact. >> Externally, some realignment of sidewalks based on discovery. Um, >> I I think the word tweak would be the the word, but I couldn't find tweak in
the in our vocabulary, so we put modifications. So I I guess the one question um is if you can just explain along the front of uh it's it's I think it might be in front of lot C3
the changes at the sidewalk. I'm just curious what they represent. Um the red that's in there cuz in plan it's not terribly clear. So, those are just um landscape features within I think there'd be various um turf plazas. Um I believe that's right
along the front of the shopping center you're referring to the question. >> Yeah. So, um originally we just had some rough um teardrop shapes and they've since been sort of refined teardrop shapes. >> And are those just cutouts or are they actual structure? I can't tell from this if that
>> I believe there's some there's some low I believe there's some low seating walls built into there. Um I don't have the landscape architecture plans are in front of me at the moment but um Andy may know as well but >> yeah the we have low seating walls in you know curve benches that are built in
to it. >> I that's what I was assuming they were but they're just >> they're they're simple enough lines that I just wanted to make sure. And then I'm assuming the areas that are on page CO7
back near the the the rear of the um the rear of the grocery store and that whole entrance that that's a functional realignment based on vehicular access and dumpster pickup and all of that.
>> Correct. We had a meeting with Stop and Shop. Um we verified all their access that was required of it and we also coordinated the city of Salem for that curb cut onto Luring. So those are the final results of the meeting with Stop and Shop as well as uh City of Salem. >> Okay.
>> Great. >> Very good. >> And I can see these these corrections have been made. >> Yeah. >> Over here. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> Um anyone from the public comment or online? I guess Mr. Chair and what we're asking
is that the decision now reflect the new the new site plan as opposed to the old one because ultimately it's going to be built based upon the the revised plan and we don't want there to be any misunderstanding of anyone who does any research at the registry which plan is is the plan of record.
>> Yep. >> Just an an amendment to the existing >> That's exactly right. Yeah. this instead of saying as per a certain plans submitted on certain date, it'll be these new plans submitted on such a date as approved assuming the board approves them. >> Yeah.
>> Uh and um >> what was the date they were? >> The only other thing that we submitted was the uh there was a question about the dumpster uh screening and we submitted that as well. >> Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. >> Thank you. >> Um >> Okay. I don't have anything else.
>> Yeah, we know that. Okay. >> Did you have anything else? >> Okay. Okay, we'll make a motion to approve the um the site plan as amended. >> Um >> is the site plan have a date on it? So we can reference the date so it'll be usually
>> we could say it as a as uh approved at the planning board meeting of January 12th, 2026. >> Okay. Okay. >> I think what you're asking for though is the date of uh the per town comments dated
010625. >> The latest the latest date on the plan submitted um with this request is um December 1st 2025 revision 5 updated plan of record. So December 1st, 20
>> 25 >> 25 would be the updated plan >> and as approved by the plony board on January 12th, 2026. >> So well, but that's not on this drawing. >> Well, but it's what this is the plan we're approving tonight. So >> isn't that that's the most
>> I think what we're saying is that we're we are amending the plans approved on January 13, 2025. >> Exactly. >> We're approving Right. Right. >> Okay. Amended on that date, but we approved it on this date. Exactly. the the plans approved on that date are being amended by the plans approved tonight. >> Exactly.
>> Okay. Exactly. >> So I thought you have for I thought you were asking for verification that was on this drawing. >> Oh no, I just wanted I just wanted it to be clear the plans were the plans that were approved. It wouldn't be any any misunderstanding.
>> Understood. So Christa, is that clear? Okay. So that's the motion. >> Okay. Should we say it one more time? >> Yep. Um I'm I'm going to go back. So right now the plans that we have in front of us,
the revision has not been added to these plans. >> It it has. >> I just want to clarify a couple things. So the I think the red line overlay that's in front of you is more of an exhibit. Um in the record set, there was a um stamped overall layout plan
submitted um updating that sheet. >> Okay. So we need the date off of that. >> Yeah. Yep. That's the December 1st, 2025 revision date of that plan set. So, the red Yeah, that's the one that we'll be signing. >> Yep. >> Correct. The red line overlay in front of us, right?
>> The red line overlay in front of you, as you picked up on, is what the the border proof last time. And we have um ghosted into the background in red the changes to show for clarity for exhibit purposes. >> Very good. >> Okay. So then I'm going to uh move that we vote to approve
um the site plan as amended as mended on December 1st, 2025 and approved by the planning board tonight, January 12th. >> Is there a second? >> So do we care when it was amended? This is when it starts. >> Yeah, because that that's what
identifies the plan that has the overlay on it. This >> this change. Okay. >> That's the date of the plan. >> Okay. All right, I'll second. >> All right. Um, all those in favor? >> I >> I >> I thank you very much. >> Sure. Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Looking good over there. >> Huh? >> Did we do that within our time? >> You did. You did a great job. Thank you. >> All right, Ken. I'll talk to you. >> Okay. >> Okay. Um All right. Next on the agenda is
application 26-1 um 11 Pineh Hill Road uh by Michael Kalpin uh requesting a site plan special permit to partially demolish the existing single family home and rebuild a new a new single family home uh at 11
Pineh Hill Road. >> Okay. Yes. So, um, I purchased my grandparent, my grandmother's house. And >> Mike, would you mind just introducing yourself? Sorry. >> Oh, sorry. So, I'm Michael Calpin. I'm the homeowner. This my wife Megan. Um,
we recently purchased 11 Pine Hill Road from my grandmother >> and are looking to renovate it and add on to it to uh move our family into. >> Okay. So, um, as you can see, there's no setbacks or we're within all
the setbacks. We're not trying to expand the footprint. We're going to go up on the existing foundation and leave the existing garage. Um, tear down the >> first floor of the living space and
rebuild some new kind with, uh, some new windows and then go up over the garage and the first floor. Okay. Um, the current home, how many bedrooms does it have in it? >> It's currently a two bed, two bath, and
it will be a four bed. >> Okay. Two baths, two half baths. >> And are you aware of the INI fee that we have for the additional bedrooms? >> Yep. Um, so let me just sit here.
I will um chime in and just let let you all know um as the board that discussions that happened earlier between the applicant and I um surrounded what determines a complete application. Um so this revised
application in front of you includes um architecturals of the existing um like this rendering in front of you that they submitted today. Um I think that you know J I saw that you submitted some
thoughts as well and we might have a discussion right now on what the requirements are and for a complete application um so we can move forward. Yeah, that's a good point. Um I I you know, if it works for the board, I think we should probably still have a
discussion and go through um you know, I think that's only fair. But um yeah, there there might be some missing elements from the petition and we'll want to make sure that those are there, you know, um probably before anything's approved, but Okay. >> What do you you tell us?
>> Sorry, Christa specifically which one which >> I can go ahead. Why don't you go ahead and um explain Christ unless you'd like me to >> um so it was the sideby-side existing and proposed. Um it's a little bit unusual the perspectives that we
received. Um you know they're not detail by detail what is existing compared to what's proposed. It's um more of these sketch-like drawings. Um, and I know that there was also comment about
maybe the detail required for the the interior spaces as well um for the architecturals. So that's just you know potentially things that we could discuss for completeness. >> Yep. >> And we have like examples that we can
pro provide probably right. Yeah, >> we do. We do. And in fact, I think we have some applications that I've probably mentioned in the past are like really good textbook examples of what we'd like to see, even though some of those are are, you know, different than
this. You know, essentially, um, what we want to look at is a is the plot plan with, um, all of the abuing properties, um, indicating the distance between the closest, you know, contact points, if you will, of your property and the
neighbor to, you know, in each direction. Um, you know, and you do have you do have some of that. I mean, it's a little broken up, but I mean, it certainly is is readable for us. Um the other piece of it would be um and
you do have sort of a a plot plan of the existing home which come and then you have a kind of a diagram of what from sort of a sky down view of what the the newly constructed home would look like.
Essentially when we have a home that's being you know modified to this extent uh whether you're doing partial demo or kind of a bigger demo or complete demo what we what we require is to see on a sheet you know a sketch of and it can be
you know sketch like this but it has to be to scale and side by side so here's my existing here's what's here this is what I want to build on the same page and then you kind of show it from different angles and then you go through the existing building um showing all of
the elevations, all the dimensions and height and so forth and and width and then you go through the floor plan of the existing building showing exactly kind of what's there. If it's, you know, kind of simple, sometimes you can overlay the new floor plan on top of the
um the existing to show what's changing. That's very helpful. But then you also want a set of plans that shows elevations of the proposed new structure um with you know obviously heights and so forth and which you have you've
you've you've added the the elevations there which is very helpful and you also want to show each floor plan and in the floor plans you should be identifying every room that's in there and just but and for the most part I think that's that's pretty you know u legible on your
plan. um on the plot plan, you know, it's um it's pretty easy to get a grading example. I mean, a lot of these lots, your lot might be completely flat or might drop off on one side. So, it's always important for us to know like if there's, you know, um if there's any
something unusual about the grading, typically we'll ask for a grading plan so it can be understood um if there are going to be changes. I'm assuming that you might, you know, change electrical, it could have an old heating system, stuff like that. So, we'll understand what kind of connections you might need
to the street. You've already got sewer and so forth. Um, but it helps us put a a bigger picture together. On a site plan like this, you can include the landscaping plan right on that site plan. So, you don't have to do a separate plan for landscaping. But what
we'd be most interested in is, for example, you've got sort of a what looks like a specimen tree on part of that lawn. you know, we'd want to know is that coming down if we'd want you to try to preserve as many trees that have six caliber bases and greater. Um, and we'd
be interested in knowing any other, you know, landscaping changes that you're making. And and to that end, we'd want to know the overall um make sure you're still in compliance with your open space um uh responsibilities in terms of the
percentage of the property that remains open space. When we say open space, that never includes anything paved, whether it's with pebbles, you know, cobblestones or black top. Open space is some where something green is growing basically. So that's the way we we
calculate that. Um so those are the those are are the main points. >> Okay. And so aren't all of those covered here in some form or another? >> Yes. >> Right. Yeah. So I >> the question is with what is presented
to you tonight do you feel that the application is complete enough and if so then you know you could make a motion and move forward. Um so it's up to the board. >> So some of the questions I posed tonight were actually um they're sort of a board
question. I'm I'm the newest member on here so I'm I'm not exactly sure how strictly we follow what the drawing requirements are. Um these images that were submitted as elevations aren't actually elevations. Um they're supposed
to be elevations in scale with the um >> floor plans >> with the the new the the existing and the new and these are actually from photographs that have been digitized and they're an elevation is flat. It's not a >> Yeah, it's not informed of this this
morning that we know. >> Yeah. No, no, no. That's fine. I'm just >> But but that's why I'm I'm wondering if we can accept it >> because of what the guidelines are. >> I just feel like we're >> this is like our family home. We have a
lot of money tied up here and like I I I felt as though we were >> we had given everything we needed and >> Well, that's what but we need to make sure that what we're doing though is aligning with what the bylaws are asking us to do. So please don't don't think of
it as personal, >> right? It's not personal judgment. This is just what we have to, you know, basically what we have >> like can we can we gather enough enough information from what we have um and being new on this I I don't have that answer and that's that's why I was I was
posing it this afternoon when the the uh the drawings came in. The other thing um is that we do ask for is an elevation that includes the houses next door. And especially when a building is increasing in height, uh we want to make sure that
there's documentation that it's it's in proportion with with what's happening on either side of it and not necessarily negatively impacting that. Um one question that I did want to ask was uh regarding the bulkhead. Is the current bulkhead a traditional?
>> There is no bulkhead right now. There's no bulkhead at all. >> Okay. Because because that one piece there >> I we need to actually look at that because this is moving outside of the footprint. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So we have to look at that as
>> setbacks. It doesn't it doesn't encroach on >> Yeah. But it it's still a it's a it's a change and we have to like watch that a little bit because I know that this was >> um is proposed as something that's not changing the footprint. So, I just want to make sure we're not changing the footprint. >> Um, because it looks like a structure
from the front elevation. It's a full story. So, >> yeah, I mean, I I'd be fine with a metal bulkhead if that's more amendable. I just >> I that's I I would defer because I again, it's it's a reason I'm asking the question is when I when I saw that in
comparison and it didn't exist in the other drawing. I was reading it off of the what we initially had. Um, and then the the the question that I have for the board also is the interior is incomplete in the sense that um lots
of things are labeled, but I'm assuming that the homework room and the pantry is in front of the kitchen. So, we're talking a kitchen and a living room here on this uh first floor plan. Sorry, that's all right. So, um
the other reason that um you'll want to have a fully flushed out set of plans um is that once um after the project is built, you have to
submit an asbuilt >> Yep. to the building inspector and then he confirms that what you built is actually what you were permitted. And typically he, you know, he'll probably do that before everything's finished in the event there was some, you know,
glaring error, which to my knowledge hasn't happened, but um that that is another um another requirement. So, um the the instructions for um submitting site plan are, you know, on the website, but you know, but they you're not alone.
It gets missed sometimes. So, >> okay. >> Um and it's definitely, you know, certainly nothing. It's not your fault. >> Um Okay. So, it's actually not on the website. >> I'm sorry. The website's incorrect.
There's so much outdated information on the website. It's impossible. >> So, what do we want to do here? Um, >> well, so I I still am trying to get my arms around what's missing. Like, we've got Okay. >> maybe a label on kitchen, but it's
obviously next to the pantry. >> Well, that's that. And the question that I had, again, this is a board question. There's a submission of of layout. I personally don't think that that's of of great importance, but I'm just not sure that as a planning board when we approve
something, there's um there's some areas that I've got concerns about your alignment with walls structurally. Um have you had an engineer go through this? Okay. Um just the supporting of you're you're pulling the wall in over
the garage on the second floor, so there's it's not aligning. if that's all stuff that you've figured out. Um >> there's a few moves in here that >> concern me. Um you don't have sufficient roof structure on your porches. Um they're they're shown at a a thickness
that >> okay would be problematic. So there there's a number of things, but what I'm I'm concerned because I can look at this and see them. Um, but if we approve things, I'm assuming that would land
under the building inspector, not us. So, for what we're looking at, it really would be I think the main thing that's missing is it in the streetscape um based on its size,
>> the front elevation showing adjacent properties. >> Yeah, I'm not because it's within the zoning requirements. I'm >> You're not worried about that? >> I'm not worried about that. still less than 28, right? >> Yeah. And it it's still quite, you know, uh reasonable for that neighborhood and, you know, being familiar with it as I
am. Um, you know, this is this kind of a um a ranch home was is around Pine Hill, Walnut, that area, those are very common in the in the Shaw. Do you feel that what we do have we can? >> I think we can. I think what you know
the the the the staging of when they were submitted is is you know usually off the schedule even though this overall the application was submitted in a timely fashion. So the details that we needed have been added.
It's my opinion that because I see this as a relatively simple buildout that I I don't have concerns about approving it and the fact that there's there there are no dimensional
there is no dimensional relief that's needed. We're using the identical footprint. >> Okay. um that it it's fully within the zoning um uh allowances for the area that it you
know where the landscaping's essentially not changing. Um it's just you know they're expanding the home. >> That's the a good point. Right. We're here because it's uh what a 2,000 square foot total edition. Is that what it is? Um
>> it's a little less than that. It's like 1,400 square feet. >> 1400. Okay. So, it's it still crosses the the threshold. That's why we're >> cross the threshold, but it's not the footprint doesn't change. >> And so, the footprint isn't changing. >> Um, >> aside from that, >> aside from >> adding a bulkhead access,
>> right? So, that but but um and that's within setbacks. >> It's the setbacks aren't moving the dimensionally in terms of height and every other way. Then, we're not changing driveways. I mean, in fact, you're using the same >> driveway. They're going to repave it, but it's going to be the same. >> Okay.
>> Yeah. >> And you know, no landscapes being reduced. I mean, I just, you know, essentially, I mean, I think what we were getting at was essent that that the proc was our process was out of sync with this even though you ended up supplying us with what we needed
tonight. It's just and because this, you know, was um substantially complete when you submitted it, I personally don't have a problem with I I mean, I don't see what else I'd need to if I saw it any differently next month. It's not
going to change my how I would vote on it right now. >> Put it that way. >> Okay. >> So, >> yeah. And my my questions were were on this really specific to how exacting are we in in what is supposed to be submitted,
>> right? And I would say to you that this is a circumstance where we are it's it's so precise in terms of adding a second floor and an existing footprint >> and being well within the zoning compliance um for everything for use for
height for all of it for you know that it that it's just um it does nothing but improve the the the site and um there is no detrimental um aspect to it and it is you know it is
you know I just because of that I don't have a problem with getting the dimensional piece of it >> right I also want to chime in and say that the historic commission determined that this does not need a public meeting or historic approval >> but Pine Hill right >> yep it doesn't >> okay
>> the original is 195 >> two >> 52 >> it's 74 years old >> y >> good Rich had informed me today that uh >> Oh jeez. >> Is it John Leeman or >> Oh, correct. Yeah, Jonathan.
>> Yeah, they they when they researched it, it was built in 1952, not 1950. >> There are there are some of those buildings out on Walnut Street, which you're probably familiar that kind of a little group of them that are kind of a very distinct mid-century style. They're
a little different, but that's not um this Yeah, this I wouldn't be concerned about. So my feeling is that you know I would make a motion to approve site plan. >> Open it up for I know there are a few neighbors here. Pardon >> me. Okay. All right. So let's do that first. Let's open up to public comment.
>> Okay. >> Sorry about that. >> That's okay. >> Can you hear me? >> Yep. >> Y so my name is Jeff Tardiff. I'm the the neighbor behind them at 44 Walnuts. So, um I wanted to thank Mike and Meg for being proactive about communicating
around this change because it is a big uh change for the neighborhood directly abuing. Um my question, I guess, is the overall height that you're expecting to raise the building up to, does it come into matching the same height as the neighbor next to you, the White House?
>> So, the it'll be I think it's a foot and a half lower from what I could figure out off White House. Okay. >> So, it's it's not as high as ft. >> Okay. And just for the board, what is the overall height u limits for any changes to elevations on single family homes to
>> uh 35 ft >> through the midline of the roof? >> Okay. And you're at what? 28 28. >> And this is 29 or 29. And the other thing is on a on a peaked house that isn't the top of the peak, >> right? >> It's it's an average between the bottom
of the roof and the top of the roof. So the P could actually be higher than 35 if approved at any point. Okay. >> Correct. And this is this is below. >> Nowhere near that. >> Right. So you're actually closer to 26 essentially. >> Yeah. >> Is this your is this your house on the left? >> Um I am behind directly behind him.
>> We can't see behind. >> Yeah. I don't think you got a picture of that. Um yeah, it's directly behind him. I'm on Walnut. So yeah. >> Did that >> No, the this house works well proportionally to add a second floor onto it. It's it's it's not um it's not
looking excessively high. >> Okay. >> So, I think it's a successful definitely a successful project to uh to extend vertically. >> And the only other question I had is around grading because um the landscape there does pitch down and it we're on ledge so a lot of the water just
naturally drains through my property into the lower part of Walnut. Um I just want to make sure that if you when you do um excavation and stuff you're not going to pitch anything towards the house. >> Planning on changing the grading once. If anything, >> when we add those arroies along your
fence line that we talked about, yes, I'll probably mound that up a little bit. >> Okay. B them up a little bit. Okay. >> Um, >> but >> great. Those are the questions I had. Anything that you >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Yep. Thanks.
>> Anybody else? was there. >> Yeah, there's a couple more in the back. >> We need a drone with the mic on. >> There you go. Yeah. >> Thank you. My Hello. Can you hear me? >> Yeah, we can hear you. >> Okay. My name is Linda Pastor. I live
directly across the street. I'm at 14. I have to commend the Kalpins on informing the neighborhood and keeping us all posted and I'm here to support his plan today. >> Great.
>> Thank you very much. >> Anyone else? >> Anyone online? Okay. >> Motion. >> I'll make a motion to um approve site plan special permit for petition number
20 dash. What is it? Just a uh >> 26-1. >> Thank you. 26 11 Pine Hill Road >> for 11 Pineh Hill Road.
>> Second. All those in favor? >> I >> I >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Good luck. >> Good. Hello. >> All right. >> I was conflicted from that last one, too. So, >> there you go.
>> All right. Um All right. Next item. Um, we have application 26-2, uh, 24 to 28 Engles Terrace by Doug Dubin, requesting a site plan special permit to construct a 2,000 ft addition
to the existing single family home at 24 to 28 Engles Terrace. >> Okay, >> Matthew Wolverton. I'm here with Doug Dubin and Emtt McNelte. Um, they're the beneficial owners of Eastman LLC, which
is the owner of the property. Um, and 24 Terrace is a single family home. >> We have a hard time hearing you. Um, >> can you hear me now? >> Can you gentlemen? Yeah. Could you come forward? That that just made it a little easier for us. >> Yeah. >> And yes, when you move the mic, it
helped. Thank you very much. Um, so again this is 24 and 28 Engles Terrace. 24 Engles Terrace is presently it's a single family home. It's located in the A4 zoning district and the property consists of two separate lots
on one. >> Could you Could you um introduce yourself again? I missed >> Yeah, sorry about that. I'll start right from the beginning. >> I missed it from the beginning. >> Yeah, it's uh attorney Matthew Wolverton. >> Thank you. >> And I'm here with Doug Dubin and EMTT McN. They're the beneficial owners of
Eastman LLC, which is the property owner. >> Great. One more. >> We can split one here if we're >> So there there are two lots located at 24-28 Engles Terrace. One lot there's an existing structure. That lot consists of
approximately 2700 square ft and there's a separate larger vacant lot of approximately 3,700 square ft. Um, these lots are non-conforming due to the lack of frontage and they're und sized. So, they've merged for zoning purposes. They've gone back through the title and
they've been in common ownership um since at least 1947. >> Okay. And you have so they they're in common ownership, but are they combined? >> Yes. They're all in one deed. And I have a copy of the deed actually. >> Okay. Great. Because it just doesn't show up like that on our records.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I noticed on the GIS and the assessor's records when you go to the parcel ID, it still shows prior owner. >> That's right. >> But if you >> Okay, good to know. >> A site plan that was filed with this >> and then just run the meets and bounds on this coffee here.
>> Thank you. >> Great. Thank you very much. >> You'll see that it is all combined into a >> excellent >> one lot at this point. Okay. Good. And so the applicant the petitioners are proposing the construction of an
addition >> to the existing single family home to create two family style townhouse style residential structure. Um that use is permitted by right in the zoning district. And um we are here tonight for a site plan special permit pursuant to
section 5.4.2.2 two of the bylaw due to the addition of more than 800 square feet of gross floor area. Um the proposed addition will be dimensionally conforming. Um so they petitioners tend intend to keep intact the existing structure which
was built in approximately 1852 and have designed the proposed addition to maintain the historic appearance and integrity of that existing structure. Um, with that, if there's any questions from the board members, we uh have additional material that we filed today
at request of the town. Okay. >> Um, so you said that I I've visited the house without you, Doug. I went up there and nosed around on my walk the other day and um and yeah, it has, you know,
clearly um so no one's living there now. >> Sorry. >> Four or five years. >> Okay. It's been vacant for over three years. >> Okay. Yeah. And it looks like it's it's um it's definitely coming apart and the
the um Yeah, there's a lot of rotting around. >> Finally enough, the foundation and everything, the floors are all straight. Walls are still standing straight. >> It looks like it's falling apart, which it is. >> Well, I could. Yeah. I mean, some of
that where the where the where the wood where the wood meets the foundation is, you know, just it's rotted out. That's, you know, so um it looks like it needs the structure would be removed. I can't imagine how you >> repaired.
>> So, you're not taking down any of the walls. >> Stained just like it is. All we're doing is Sorry, Doug Duben, Double D Construction, Eastman LLC, my business partner, and I I've known the house for a while. No Engles Terrace. We've done
I've done personally a bunch of old historic houses. We're going to gut it to the studs. Basically rebuild any headers that need to be deep to meet any code. I'm going to resave all the crown moldings on the top of the existing building. It's all going to be
clapboard. It's all going to be two over two windows to look historic. It's all going to have a freeze board on it. It's going to have the front porches to meet. >> A cute little round half round porch. >> No, I can't save the round front porch. You see the drawings.
>> The new one's going to look just like it. So, it's going to be historically like it was before with new windows. like >> um we're basically the relief we're asking for is cuz it's 2,000 square ft,
but the building >> itself that's there right now is staying just like it is. We're not changing the footprint. >> So, you're going to have to take out the right hand side of it. The >> No, it's actually the foundation stays and it just comes off of it and it builds on top of that. >> We need to rebuild part of that
foundation. >> It's going to add a new foundation onto that section right there. >> Okay. Okay. >> And there'll be a firewall right between the whole two buildings. >> Okay. All right. >> Um, so I know it looks weird that overhang on the right side you're talking about, but that will be part of
>> So that's both buildings right now. Um, I I it's been a standing like she said for three years. The goal is to try to make it a beautiful townhouse for sale.
We are not keeping it. I'm not moving into it. I'm going to make sure all the landscaping's perfect. We have parking that's existing on the left side. We're going to add two parking spots on the right side as per three.
>> We are going to uh accommodate all the neighbors while I'm doing this. Make sure work trucks are probably three work trucks, plumber, electrician, that type of thing. Everyone else will park on Humphrey Street. I will unfled neighbors to make sure they're
good. Make sure dumpsters aren't blocking anyone. We'll always have parking. Anyone's there. I will be there to make sure that this site is going well because I want it to be done well. As you guys know, I've done a lot of work around town forever
>> and this is mine, not a customer. So, I'm on this. Um, I had a couple questions about so the lot itself I um I tried to look around the back to see you know there's precipitous drop
off right so I walked down to Humphrey Street and pressed >> I can tell you >> 352's property >> I did I did not see the >> dentist office of the people that live there I walked that >> but that looks like sheer ledge >> it's sheer ledge except for behind the
building there's like a 12t section of wall that was built on top of the ledge that just needs to be pointed back together right there. >> Okay. Now, what's is that the property line? Is the wall the ledge is the property line? >> Is the property line. So, it goes like
way past the building. That's how really nice yard right back there. >> And I'm going to We're not raising the level of the yard. is going to go there because with Emily's and >> Christine >> Christine's house right next door, their backyard kind of goes into that and
meets that. So, I can't really mess with the levels or anything like that too much. >> We're just going to add a fence. >> Your house is where? To the >> to the left. >> To the left. Okay. All right. >> So, I I tried not to walk on your property, but I scooted around the back of his.
Um Okay. So the the question that I would ask is um I'm looking for first off I'm just going to say what's on my mind. Uh these are really nice architectural plans. >> That's my business partner Eric. >> This this looks um to me this is a
really sound approach to adding another unit to a building. Um I think the balance is good. I think the fact that you're pulling it back I actually um from an architectural standpoint >> it's it's nice in plan. I also do uh >> decks aren't huge off the back.
>> Really appreciate the connector that you're using. It it is logical and it and it feels it, you know, the flow of it is quite good. Um, I'm a little confused by there's there's a series of photographs that you walked over that the connector I'm assuming that the
plans that were submitted is what we really should be looking for. >> Correct. The >> there were some experiential, you know, or experiments that um >> Yeah, we had we did some artist renditions and things to land on the >> absolute design. >> Yeah. Um, so it's a house I have
actually I I I love a house in need. Um, it's a house I've always admired. It's a house that I loved when the porch was on it and was sad when I saw it collapse. Um, but the uh the house itself, it still has a really nice pure form. I'm
really thrilled to um to think that you're going to be replicating and you know >> repairing and replicating >> and I think that there it fits really nicely and to go from the worst house on the street to one that that really ties
the neighborhood together cuz I think that's a really special street >> and the steps and everything in there. So I think it's a great property to bring up. I also feel that the view from below will be nice because it is taking
advantage of the view without losing track of what the house should look like. Um I think when you look up and see this it will will be appealing too. The one question that I have uh we were talking about the site um is the topography
because I'm not I'm not finding any drawings. There is one picture in there that shows the side picture of the ones I brought you tonight. >> So they see that >> and in our architectural print. So what he did is he went in and laid out with our surveyor the elevation. >> Okay. >> So
>> um do we need a site plan that shows the elevations on record? Um with the topo on record. >> I mean I I would have liked to have seen a site plan with a topographical plan on it because because this is so unique.
It's not really changing though. That's the thing. >> Yeah, we weren't modifying the site at all. We did record it so that elevations are correct and we made sure we didn't exceed. >> So, the plans are showing the correct elevation at the point that the building is interacting. >> Correct. Ground. >> Correct. Cuz I'm matching the floor
height, right? Everything. >> Okay. And then they have a full set of architect. >> If you look at the one that shows the side of it with the porches on the back, you can see the angle coming down >> which goes to the wall that way. >> Yeah. Yeah. And we're not changing the
existing, you know, topography whatsoever. And I guess the other thing though that looks like it's about >> maybe 4 feet of foundation. What is your foundation material? >> New the new structure will be concrete.
>> Concrete. Okay. >> Um, which I'm probably going to put a veneer on. I'm not going to give you too much information yet cuz I'm not totally positive, but it's got a >> looks solid brick, isn't it? it. The existing foundation's brick. >> It's like 16 inches of brick. That old
school. >> Wow. >> It's amazing the condition it's in. If you come down the basement. >> Yeah. It's not It's not uh >> field right now. Interesting. >> I know. J, I will chime in. And if you look at the screen, um these are the requirements and the topography and
drainage plan is required for commercial, but it's not required for residential. >> Excellent. Good. That's what I needed. the down spouts and gutters are going the right direction because I don't want to flood anybody out. I don't want to flood my own house out.
>> A full basement. >> I don't know on the new part yet. The old part has a full basement. >> I'm sorry. Your name again, sir? >> Theo Corangelo. >> Theo Corangelos told me that there's ledge all next door on his side. >> I'll bet. So, I'm going to dig down
until I get ledge. >> Mhm. >> And if I get a full basement out of it, I will get a >> See, >> the amount of ledge there just I was amazed. >> Don't know. We are not going to be hammering. I'm not going to be blasting anything and none of that. I am just going to dig down the ledge and pin it
to ledge >> and come up with whatever I can and make sure it's waterproof to death. So, there's no issues. We're not putting living space down there or anything, >> right? >> Um maybe boilers. We'll see. And really important question.
>> Yeah, >> that was >> can it be red? >> We saw that. >> I mean, seriously, if we lose that cute little red house, I mean, you just don't do beige and and >> you know, >> I I loved that note. Um
>> Yeah, >> as a man that lives in a red house, >> I would. >> That's true. You do live in her. >> Red is my favorite color. But >> well, I mean, you got, you know, my wife would say otherwise. Such, it has such presence and for this little house that was just, you know, it's so sweet.
>> What sells the best? >> I'd go for the red house any day as opposed to plain vanilla. Are you kidding? >> Yeah. I would I would say I would say what sells the best. The view out the back of the house. >> Really does. >> Yeah. I mean, this is I I have been
looking at that house every time I come down the steps and thinking this has to be saved, too. >> I'm really glad to to think of it being saved and and utilized this way. So, I I am um I'm
I don't have a lot of questions other than the topography which is showing up in the side view. Glad to know that that is not required. Um the other >> it's just required only if it was commercial but right point is that you know it's sometimes it's very helpful
with this but seeing as we have an existing >> and so you're looking at maintaining the existing parking you'll leave that car there though right >> I wish you you know I have a bunch of old cars and I will >> amazing car >> not that I'm a Ford Mustang person but I
three additional parking spots um >> so much cute >> there I think that's great What are you doing for utilities? Do you have any external compressors, condensers, anything like that? >> Um, there will be a couple AC units >> out back somewhere at the behind
underneath the deck. Something like that. >> Underath the deck preferably. >> Yeah, probably. They can't be under the deck, but they can be near the backyard that >> you have a couple spots. >> It's remarkable how much, you know, how far back it goes. >> It's, isn't it? >> Yeah. I was just fascinated. I I mean I
would have loved to have gone inside, but of course >> you're welcome to come in tomorrow. >> Yeah, I will. I mean, I'll go in with you. I'd love to. >> One of our neighbors. I let her come through the other day, came through. >> I got some good stuff in there. >> I offered to you to go through and you didn't want to see it. I'm sorry. I haven't met you guys yet.
>> Sorry. >> You're at three down below. >> Yes. >> So, I probably trespassed on your property. >> Oh, okay. >> The purple house. Oh, great. That's a beauty. Yeah.
>> Public comment. >> Yeah. Uh any other comments? >> Um >> public comment. >> Yeah. >> Is a nice house. >> Just I mean so we, you know, I'm assuming that if historical hasn't been >> um the reason that this is, you know,
it's particularly significant to, you know, and I'm not saying historically significant. I'm not saying that it, you know, this I'm not on the historical commission, okay? But from a historic standpoint, what's interesting is it was built in 1852, which was the year that
Swampscott was incorporated as a town. And it's a very, very old house. And it's, as you know, right next to 47 steps or however many steps are really there. But those were those were built because of the trolley tracks because we used to have a trolley up Humphrey
Street and people that lived and worked around the area and even some that lived in smaller homes and worked at the big estates would be able to instead of walking all the way around Rockland this that all the way around they could just cut straight down the hill. So, you'll
see there's actually quite a few properties on Humphrey Street that have staircases if you look in. A lot of them are overgrown, but that's um I know I found it particularly um charming. >> Um look, I understand some of the
concerns that that we heard um from, you know, people that submitted comments about, you know, density and so forth. I mean, if you stand on that street and you look up, I mean, this is the way that neighborhood's been developed. It's um
and based on >> that way maybe we should open up the >> I think it would be a good idea. The neighbors ear. >> Okay, let's do it. >> Let's do it. >> Thank you. >> Uh my name is Emily Caner. I live uh
next door at 20 Terrace. Tony Engles Terrace is a uh threeunit condo. uh it was renovated home about uh 14 years ago um was a rental and then she renovate she sold it as three separate units. Um
so I live on the um in the second unit which is when you come around the corner it's on the first floor but then the deck the back of it or that which faces the ocean is considered the second floor. Right. >> And this is >> my name is Christine Malvvis and I'm on
the top floor. So, um, so thank you for your time. Thank you. This is my first town meeting. Great. >> And, um, special thank you to Doug who has been incredibly accessible to us all, answering all our questions. Um,
you know, we were able to voice our concerns. He gave you a tour of the house. I'm out. And, uh, and so, and we did I don't know if this is the right form for it. You know, we do have concerns. Um, I can't speak for the other neighbors. Nice to meet you guys.
Yeah. Um, but we have concerns in that it's a dead-end street and a lot of the uh residents of Engles Terrace park on the street. So, this will be impacted greatly. Um, I we have concerns about that. We have concerns about um the
trucks, the debris, the the equipment, you know, being there all the time. And I know that it comes with growth and it comes with development and that's the way of the world. And that's fine. We're not opposed to this. We just want a few asurances or get a sense of ideas and
plans around removing debris and if a basement's going in, are we talking digging? Are we talking frontend loaders? What are we talking I'm glad there's no blasting. Thanks, Doug. And um and uh things like that. We are concerned the house even when it was
occupied had a number of animals um living in and in the unit. Um, especially in the you can see in the roof where it's rotted away. >> You talking about pets or or animal? >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. Like birds. Birds. Squirrels. >> That's what I That's what I thought.
>> I am. Go ahead. >> Things like that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean like puppies. Um, so we're concerned about once they're upended, where are they going? You know, are they going to live on the beach? Are they going to go live at 20 or 28 or whatever it is? And 30. Exactly.
So, and I mean I know that comes with living by the water and it comes with living in Swamp Scott. I'm not naive. So, we have had discussions and like I said, Doug has made himself very available to us all, but just more of the same uh moving forward would be great.
>> So, I can address the pets where well getting a building permit and everything. I have to have a pest control plan in place for the building department when I pull a building permit if you want that. So, There's not much I can do when they leave because we will be evicting
everything that's there. But there will be a pest person in sight. Richie the bug guy will be there to trap the place, do the whole thing that it needs to be. As far as the truck, we will have a couple dump trucks that come in that dig out the dirt and take it. Um,
and whatever we we'll be digging out whatever the foundation is with a dump truck and a small excavator. Not a big anything really. Yeah. >> And he'll put it in the truck and take it and leave some on site. So when we back fill that way, um we are going to
be making a mess for 6 months. The goal is six a little under. And at night I will make sure this everything's wrapped up clean, safe for everyone like that. Like any typical construction job that I do. >> Yeah, I think the No, I appreciate that.
I think one of the other things we're concerned is given you know these older homes our exterior wall to uh your exterior wall is I think 20 ft unbelievably close and so we're concerned about if you know the
integrity the compromise >> sorry thanks our our foundation or our wall structure or anything will be compromised in any way um throughout this this concern and I know Doug you and I have talked about parking you know I'm I'm the car that is that driveway
that's kind of shared. It's a >> Is it split down the middle? >> Split down the middle and it's >> that way. Yeah. >> Which I've offered. I'm going to pave her driveway when we do the pavement over there. >> I'm going to pull her driveway up with your permission and everything. >> Sure. >> And we will repave that little section
on both sides. So, >> it just makes sense to do it right then. >> Okay. The one thing I would comment on your um question around the rodents and the the the the birds and all of that. Um this will actually they'll you're going to move
through a phase where they'll be disturbed, but then when you don't have that as a nesting area, it will actually improve things in the future. We had a we had a neighbor's house that was infested with pigeons when we first moved here and uh they got a really
clever cat and it was a huge like we were not fighting pigeons. We had pigeons all over our house and we couldn't get rid of them but they were nesting at the neighbors. Once that nest was gone it it did did change things. So you know moving forward that building moving from its current condition you
will see you know an improvement um not only visually but a lot of the things like instation issues and so forth. >> Yeah. I mean the design is unbelievable. >> They don't know lot lines. >> Yeah. I mean it's going to improve the neighborhood. Like you said it's not going to be the ugliest house in the
hood. >> Well beautiful design. I I think it will also kind of really um beautify the I mean there are some advantages and I understand the concerns. I I really do. Um I understand
the concerns. Um, but the lot that's empty there is, you know, it's really overgrown with bracken and, you know, all kinds of of of invasive stuff that gets that's what happens when
when places are abandoned like that and not used that you don't end up with kind of this beautiful like little green plush, you know, park area. you end up with a a mess that has a lot of invasive species and and you know messy. It's you
know I tried to fight my way through there but and it traps garbage. It you know it just it's not um necessarily uh a good thing. I think that there's also quite a bit of growth at the edge of the lot that is unintentional. I think that
will you know people are concerned about their views. If anything, it would it's going to clean up that edge there and and improve um improve the views and um at the same time, you know, we want to be mindful of drainage. So, that's going
to be a huge uh huge consideration in terms of, you know, paying attention to that edge and where is all the water going to go because you are taking what's now a pvious lot and displacing it. So, and because it drops right down on a ledge, I mean, that's something
that I'd want to understand what the drainage plant, you know, is going to be. Um, >> drywall on the corners. I'll be making provisions for the water to be able to go in the right location to push out that way on the four corners
that I need to. >> Yeah. >> Can't be pushing water places. >> Well, especially not into rock because that's that's what you don't want to see, right? Okay, we have additional public comment to move it along. Yeah. >> Hi, my name is Ivan Sever. I lived
across the street for the past 18 years. I sold my house uh in the end of summer this last summer. So, I'm not really involved. I'm just wondering about the huge tree that's on the empty lot because that was the only thing that was
interfering with undestructive use. So, I think it's going to be removed, right? to make room. The >> one right in the middle in the back. >> Yeah, >> there's a huge pine tree there. >> A huge pine tree there. >> No, it's it's a it's a >> I think it's a pine tree, but >> it's a maple. >> Oh, the elmwood in the back.
>> Ah, >> it's a it's a maple tree. >> Is it a maple? >> Yeah. Norwegian maple. >> It's a Nor Yeah, a Norway maple. Yeah. >> So, my goal is to permit >> a weed. >> I don't want to really take Same. There's a tree next to Emily in their
lot right there, too. The pine that's next to your house is one of those pines that drop sap >> on cars and it's overgrown and it's nothing. So, I was going to take those out, but that one tree that you're talking about, I was going to have my arborist here and just
>> prune it all up and just take anything dead and just clear it a little bit because it is a nice tree in the middle of the lot. I know it takes view away from up on the hill, but it is a nice lot tree right there. Same with the one >> it's not it's not rooting. I mean, they
typically don't have huge roots. >> They don't. And they're into that straight ledge right where that is. >> Yeah. >> I'm not worried about the tree. >> Okay. >> We'll have an arburous look at it, too. >> I already had a couple already >> cuz they're going to take all the curb
in and just clean it. >> Hi there. So, nice to see everyone. Um, my name's Tia Estie. I live a couple houses back from the property of interest. I just wanted to follow up >> meeting up the hill. >> Yep. Up the hill. Okay. Um on Rockland Street. So I had a question as a follow-up to what Emily brought up
around parking and then also Ivan's point around um the landscaping. So just to confirm the the property would have the same amount of parking that it does today. You guys aren't planning on building any new parking spaces. Whatever exists plus the on street
parking is what we're three spaces. >> Okay. But >> we're losing three on the street. Mhm. >> Well, I don't know if you >> No, I don't think three. >> No, >> you'd be losing. >> Maybe like one and a half. >> There's a break in the bushes that we just cut to make a driveway. It isn't a
formal drive, >> but it it the width of three parking spots isn't three cars cuz that's they're coming in forward, >> right? >> That's what I that's what I >> the cut will be wider than the standard driveway, but it won't be three car
lengths. Um, so you wouldn't be adding cars um with this house. Um, >> you you kind of indicate too on on some one of the I forget which plant, but that there you kind had a kind had striping on the on I mean what I'd
prefer to see there is what we discussed earlier just like a little cobblestone thing something that's very subtle and attract you know that delineates the parking spot. It identifies it as a spot that belongs to that unit. But that's not screaming parking.
>> We like that, too. That's It's classy. >> No. Do you have more public comment? >> No. >> No. >> I had one followup to tied to Ivan's. I am curious about the landscaping and how that could impact the view. You mentioned some trees you want to preserve. Are you planning on putting anything else that's going to be
substantial with a lot of height? >> Nothing high. No. >> Okay. >> Just all five foot, six foot stuff around the box. I talked about replacing your fence with the really nice fence that I'm going to go around the whole side with because he has a chain link
here. As long as his dog s all that matter to us. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Fencing all around. Would that come >> not your side into the back around right to there?
>> So, are there trees being removed? trees larger than >> there's a pine tree on the corner >> that has to go >> next to this house right there. >> Yeah. And there's a lot of bracken and just y in there. >> Um >> and from this one photograph it looks
like there's a street tree out in front or is that >> it is it's on our property but it's just it's junk inside. I was looking at it the other day. >> When you say there's junk inside meaning >> like a hole like going on the right bottom >> water. >> This little guy. Yeah.
>> Yep. >> Oh, that's too bad. It's a nice size. >> It is a nice It is a nice >> I said it to him the other flowering. >> The intent was to see if we could save it. >> Nice to have a little flowering chat to your chat to your arborist. >> Put a tree there cuz I want it to look like that on the thing, too.
>> I mean, just the the ones that you know, you can get Well, I don't have to tell you. you can get a dwarf flowering tree that's not going to bother anyone. That that just adds a lot of >> it will make the front of that little corner really nice right there >> without cluttering up, you know, anyone's viewpoint. Um, you know, it's
interesting to think about like from the people that live up the hill a little bit that that there would be concerns about, you know, you can see how you'd say, you know, take down those big trees so I have a better view. On the other hand, you're like, that tree is so nice. I don't want it to come down. So, it's, you know, you've kind of got um
>> I agree. >> Yeah. Um I don't know if it might make sense to kind of look at the property and see what's um Yes, sir. >> The tree actually is the only shade I get. I have no trees on my property. So, in the morning, it rests over the house. Thank you. >> Okay.
>> I'm Theo Corangelo, 30 terrace. >> And I'm assuming you like that. Is that good? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Well, I think I think that area is because of the parking issues. the house. It's an it's an old street. It's a pre-car street. And sometimes those
are the ones that get lost to blacktop, >> right? >> And that's the one thing up there. I think that that that whole area >> um is over black topped and it's, you know, it's it's like one of the there's a number of things in there. I'd love to see the town actually create a plan for
up there because what's happened right now is it's blacktop building to building >> just paved over. has been paved paved and paved >> on the the uphill side is completely now that this is done I'll push Gino to put that on the pavement. >> But that's that's the thing is is um
this is an example of a swampskit street that has been paved for utility but it's actually it's sort of uncomfortable at this point as a pedestrian to come down the steps and just you land in parking lot.
So, if there was a way for the town to evaluate it and uh and see if we could have some planning in there, I think that that would be a big benefit has, you know, and you can pray for No, >> but you know, it is it is a case that I actually think >> I will think about that because I'm
going to think of everything on this because we want this to really >> Well, I was going to say >> well, sell well, >> make the neighbors happy when it's done right there >> because I think that would be one thing that that would help the values on that would be how the town is maintaining the
the thing because right now it's just maximized for parking. >> Um and it has some really amazing elements >> and you know um yeah trucks have to back in there anyway. So I mean there's a lot about that that's just not going to change. >> Yeah. >> Um >> is there any more public comment?
>> Uh I don't think so. No. Right. Is I guess is there anyone online? >> Is there anyone online? Um, >> I have a question for you. >> I'm not seeing hands raised. >> Sorry. >> I have a question for you about um Oh, were there hands raised? I'm sorry.
>> Um, >> trash. >> Oh, good question. >> Where's trash going to go? And who's >> at the beginning? It will be in dumpsters when I plan >> for the residents. >> For the owners, you sell them. >> Good question. >> It'll be in barrels. >> It'll be in barrels.
>> Yeah. But we should, you know, when we look at a project like this, we want to see them. We want >> we'll put it in as a condition that I need to come up with something for you. I >> we will come up with a >> there needs to be some kind of shed shielding. Um that you know >> I don't want the
>> we don't well we just whenever we do any kind of multif family which is you know what we're going to call this simply because it's it's even though it's by right >> so the left side building next to Emily that has like a little garage door and there's space down on the back left.
>> Right. Yep. But they're the left tenant will be using that and the right tenant will be coming out the back right side of there. So it would be behind the back deck probably both of them. >> Okay. And so it could be some kind of little shedded
>> it doesn't have to be extravagant but something that is from Marilyn Cassidy. >> Okay. So you want something that's uh shed you know something that's um >> what do you call it? You know buffered protective kind of buffered. Absolutely. Okay. and snow removal if this is. So,
are they going to be condos and there'll be a condo association? Nope. >> Who's going to take care of landscaping, snow remover, >> the snow themselves? >> They will. Yep. >> Okay. >> I don't like to put that in my condo dogs. >> I mean, yeah, the intention is to have
people own it on both sides, not the We're not condo guys. >> Okay. >> I think I'm comfortable making a motion. I would just maybe we run through quickly this the approval criteria. >> Yeah, let's do that. Okay. All right. Number one, uh,
minimize the volume of cut and fill, the number of removed trees 6 in caliber or larger, the length of removed stone wall of stone walls, the area of wetland vegetation displaced, the extent of storm water flow increase from the site, soil erosion and threat of air and water
pollution. Um, I think we're comfortable that the trees being removed are required to be removed and that they are minimizing the volume of cut and fill. Unless anyone has anything else to say there. Uh, maximize pedestrian and
vehicular safety both onsite and egressing from it. That's what we're just talking about, but adding the parking spaces I think helps uh to achieve that. Minimize obstruction of scenic views from publicly accessible locations. We discussed the height of
the new trees going in. So, I think that is um sufficiently addressed. I mean, obviously, they're putting a new building on there, but um this is just an obligation to minimize minimize visual intrusion by controlling the visibility of parking, storage, or other
outdoor service areas viewed from public ways or premises residentially residentially used or zoned. Um, I mean the parking is going to be visible, but like we just discussed, you know, we'll add a condition, I think, to shield trash. Uh,
>> HVAC >> and HVAC. >> Yeah. >> Pick a fence or open lattice around it. >> Yeah. >> Um, minimize glare from headlights and lighting intrusion. Um, we didn't really
discuss this. I don't is there any >> it's as minimized as we can practically think about >> right yeah dimmer curvature >> winding like they are now >> right uh minimize unreasonable departure from the character materials and scale of buildings in the vicinity
>> thank you as viewed from public ways and places I think >> we're agreed that this is pretty in line with the character um minimize contamination of groundwater from on-site wastewater disposal systems or operations on the premises involving the use, storage, handling, or containment
of hazardous substances. I don't think we really have any concerns there. Ensure compliance with the provisions of this zoning bylaw, including parking and landscaping. I think we're satisfied there. Minimize adverse traffic impact
of the proposed project. Um, I think they've minimized traffic impacts to the extent practicable given the nature of the street and minimize the hazard of coastal flooding taking into account the effects of long-term
sea level rise and storm surge. I don't think we really have any concerns with that one here. >> So, I am comfortable motioning to uh >> Can I make a before we make a motion, can I have I have a couple of questions? Um, two things. First of all, you're aware of the INI fee for adding the
bedrooms. Okay. >> Um, just want to make sure. And >> they said you were going to wave that. >> Hey. Yeah. Yeah. You're you're um you must have be confusing me with someone else. >> Um the uh staging. Are you going to do
one building first and then add another? Are you going to try to How are you going to How are you going to do this? >> If we can get a foundation, and this year I will. If my guy with the excavator can come and excavate the ground and we hit ledge, we're going to pour foundation. I already have my pipes
agent over there. I'm going to set up on the side of the building, which basically only sticks off 20 in of the building. And we're going to leave the windows and the siding on when I demo the whole inside of the existing right now. Make sure my frame and everything's
right. And we need a foundation for me to build the other part. But I'll get everything ready on the left side as it's going. As soon as the foundation's in the ground, I'll frame on top of it and tie it all back in. I'm not going to remove the roof until it's all up right
there and then just tie it all in at one shot. >> And what kind of materials are you going to use >> on >> the house, siding, >> flatboards? >> Like we might use modern material. >> Sorry. >> Modern material. Composite trim.
>> But hardy board. What? >> Hardy. Maybe hardy, but it's going to be a looking like clapboard. >> It's gonna be a clapboard finish, but not a vinyl. No, not vine. >> And then are with your windows, are you planning true divided or >> true divided two over two?
>> 1x6 on the outside with a band molding going all around with the >> traditional colonial sill on the bottoms of all the windows. >> Right. outside corner boards. The seven and a quarter rake board trims are going to match and stay on the new and both
right >> shadow board underneath the bottom of the rake right there. So, it's going to look >> Yeah, >> that's not changing that upper view. >> Excellent. >> That I'm going to reuse all that staying right like it is. >> That's so much of the charm. >> Yeah, >> just like we talked about that house is
going to look 1855 that it was built. >> Awesome. So, um, and I know we jokingly talked about color, but, um, >> and I know you don't want to hear this because those composite boards don't come in that color.
>> They come in every color they have. >> Okay, good. Oh, yeah. >> Just, you know, if you could consider it. And this I'm not saying it has to be that color, but it's, you know, don't I mean, no, look, my house is is like beige and white, gray and white. So, I'm not I'm not putting it down, but if you
know, honestly, it's just >> So, I'm going to have my son or EMTT ask AI, what is the best color for historic 18? >> AI is not your friend on that topic. >> They did a color historical color and it will
>> Exactly. They did, right? >> And I have no problem with that at all because I do want the >> It would really make a difference, you know. It would really make a difference and you know >> the HDC web page has a list of preferred colors that you can reference also. >> Thank you Christa.
>> Yeah. >> Um but the red >> so that's a that's a strong recommendation. I mean not something that we can condition but I'd love to add that as a >> I appreciate your recommendations for sure. Always. >> Thanks. >> That's what you're here for with the board.
>> With that. Okay. I'll make a motion to approve a site plan special permit for 24 to 28 Engles Terrace with the conditions of a um screened trash receptacle for both of the units and HVAC systems.
>> Second. >> Second. >> All those in favor? >> I I >> And I need to tell you what a great job Chris has done for us. >> Krista's been excellent to work with. >> She's been right on. Absolutely. Yes, she is. >> Thank you, Christa.
>> A thought on your your when you're excavating your basement. Um if it is not full height and not usable as a basement, consider um integrating your trash storage into it. >> Absolutely. >> That's a that's >> the left side will work because the hatch door right there that will work is the next frontier.
>> That's the way it was done on my house and it's an exterior entrance built, you know, stone wall around it and I never want to not have a house without a trash room. >> Thank you guys. Thank you. Good luck. I I may call with uh >> Come by
>> and and I'd love to I'd love to get inside >> time to look at it together. Thanks again. >> And come by while we're building it, too. That's a lot of fun. >> Definitely. >> Christa, do we are the folks ready for the presentation? >> Okay, great.
>> All right. Thanks, guys. >> Expect to get through that tonight, which is all good. really nice. Thank you very much. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> What do we have? We have a presentation
by MAPC >> for uh the master class, >> baby. >> She's wonderful. Thank you. >> And her name. >> Thank you very much. I appreciate it. >> We'll call you. >> Great job. Please come. >> Oh, we will. >> Merritt. >> Bye. >> Merritt. >> Have a good day.
>> Mary will call her. >> Nice. >> Okay. >> You could call. >> That would be good. Okay. Um, >> that would go over well. >> So, online we have Carlos from MAPC. >> Folks in the back. >> Sorry. We've got a we've got a
presentation we have to listen to. >> Thanks. >> Nice to see people. Okay. Hello, Carlos. Good evening everyone. Hi. >> Good evening. >> Hi. >> Hey Carlos. >> Night Carlos. >> Hello. >> Should I proceed?
>> We're ready for you. >> Oh, I'm sorry. That's good. >> All right. Good evening everyone. Um, uh, chair, members of the planning board. I'm Carlos Montinez. I'm a principal planner with the MAPC regional planning agency. We've been working with Mars and Christa from the town's office
of economic and community development and tonight we'd like to present to you um an executive summary of Swampshot 2035 draft one of your updated master plan. We'll walk you through what we heard from the community and how we
translated that into a guiding road map for your town. And at the end we have an overarching question for you which is have we struck the right balance between ambition and achievability in terms of implementation and your feedback tonight as well as through a future public
comment period will be able to help us uh finalize the final plan report for you. So this plan reflects 18 months of community engagement. There were three public forums with about 160 attendees.
We had 385 responses generating 1,800 individual comments. The 27 member advisory group met six times and also gave feedback through two uh input exercises as well. The process was
designed to ensure that the final vision reflects community consensus from participating community members together with recommended best planning practices. And along the way, we've transparently showed how emerging and
evolving consensus goals and strategies to show where they came from via the survey, the ongoing uh advisory group discussions as well as the three public forums that we held. So you're starting from a position of sustained deferts and strength. In the
recent past, the town secured a municipal vulnerability preparedness MVP designation with action grant funding. Also, the town has advanced the MAB MAB MBTA communities act compliance as well as ADU bylaws that were approved
recently. and there were nearly $400,000 in complete streets funding secured. Additionally, eight businesses were supported with $75,000 in facade grants. And this plan proposes to accelerate this existing momentum while track while
tackling bigger challenges that require a more sustained effort. So, uh we want to be clear about the what the master plan is and isn't. Um, it's a shared vision. It's a flexible roadmap. It's a good faith reflection of
community consensus. It's not legally binding. It's not unanimous agreement. Um, it's also not rigid and it's not a final decision on the priorities. Town staff together with a recommended implementation committee still can
retain final discretion um in terms of the imple implementing the plan. And we've defined consensus pragmatically. Um it's that the community can collectively live with a direction uh generally speaking to move forward
together. Here's a snippet from the vision that emerged in the plan. By 2035, Swampsput will be a thriving, resilient, and inclusive coastal community offering diverse, affordable, and climate ready
housing with vibrant, walkable hubs guided by transparent, collaborative governance. Every word is intentional, and it's d comes directly from of the community input that we heard throughout the process. Um, and this is the north star that guides everything. And this is
just a snippet of your actual full vision statement in the plan report for there were four major themes that emerged um consistently throughout the engagement community engagement and the input phase on housing. Residents told us that the median and home values and
rents are outpacing income growth, creating cost burdens for working families and limiting housing diversity on infrastructure. Aging systems require replacement or major rehabilitation. Twothirds of the public facility
strategies that emerged were designated as high priority in the plan and that signals real urgency on climate resilience. Sea level rise, increased storm intensity and flooding threaten infrastructure and property. And finally
on economic vitality, business districts face competition and priorities include supporting small businesses, enhancing walkability, and diversifying the economic base. Notice the uh indoor connections here and that these challenges don't stand
alone. They are intended to they reinforce each other, which means that our solutions also need to be integrated as well. And now we'd like to show you how we've organized the plan to address some of these challenges. Uh here's how the plan is structured
from vision to action. We start with that one shared vision statement. From there, we've identified 10 crosscutting themes that apply across multiple topic areas. Things like equity, sustainability, and resilience. Those
themes organize and touch on the eight specific um planning topics or chapters in the plan like topics like economic development, open space, transportation, and housing. And within those topics, we've identified 42 goals supported by
98 prioritized strategies which break down um into 155 specific actions. Each strategy is assigned to one of three priority tiers. High priority for the first three years, medium priority for
the middle four years, and low priority for 2033 and beyond. The high priority strategies require action due to community consensus, regulatory deadlines, or infrastructure deficiencies. The medium priority
strategies warrant sustained multi-year efforts and the lower priority strategies support long-term um implementation. Now what you're see what you see on the slide right now is the structure of draft one but the um there's a transition that we want to talk about in
terms of um capacity realities for implementation. So the town team uh planning staff team at the moment is conducting a capacity assessment pending um some additional feedback at the moment. The verdict is that about in draft one 20 actions per
year in the short term isn't um realistic and we are working on adjusting the approach with a forthcoming draft 1.5 in order to do that in order to consolidate the strategies from 98 to 85
and and consolidate the actions from 155 to 134. Now, more critically, we're re redistributing across time as well. So, the short-term strategies drop from 36 to 15 and the short-term actions drop
from 61 to 25. This is being done in order to recalibrate the vision with the implementation. Um, and it's being honest so that we can deliver visible wins while preparing for like long-term transformation for the community and the
town. So, we've made three types of changes for the fourth for the future draft 1.5. Um, and each for a specific reason. First, consolidating for clarity. Uh, merging 21 actions to strengthen
implementation. For example, vision zero and safe routes to school are now combined. Micro transit and EV charging are consolidated. Parking management and bike facilities plan planning are integrated. These
weren't separate initiatives. They're naturally connected, but combining them will help make implementation more efficient um moving forward for the town. Second, we also shifted um for capacity. Some of the some of the u
recommendations, major initiatives that would require significant staff time or community process or funding are being moved to the midterm or the long-term horizon. And that includes an overall zoning recotification,
peer re uh redevelopment studies, municipal energy planning, as well as historic preservation staffing. These are still priorities. They're just not realistic for years 1 through three in the short term. And third, we're preserving um as urgent some critical
fix it first priorities remain in the short term such as the Kings Beach water quality, the rail rail trail completion as well as ADA accessibility improvements and uh financial stability planning. These stay as immediate
priorities because they address urgent infrastructure deficiencies or there was clear community consensus on that. And that brings us to um like the trade-off discussion that we can have about these changes from draft 1 to draft 1.5.
So uh this is what we're asking you to weigh in on tonight is on this on one side of the scale the refined plan strengthens three things. It improves achievability by focusing staff on 8 to 10 actions per year instead of 20. It
enhances credibility by attempting to reduce staff burnout risk and implementation burnout risk and ensuring a few visible short-term wins and also prioritizes stability by fixing some foundational infrastructure first. On
the other side of the scale, the refined plan delays progress on some urgent community priorities that we heard uh such as multimmodal connectivity. Major transit improvements shift to the midterm after 2029. On vibrant hubs zoning updates for
Vinnon Square and the rail station are paused uh for approximately 3 years to the midterm. And on climate change, some municipal energy goals are moved to the long term. The question we pose to you at the end of the presentation will be have we struck the right balance between
being realistic and also being ambitious with the vision and that's a central question for you tonight as well as your feedback as individuals in during the future public comment period when we announce that in order to address those concerns in the final draft to um later
in in the season. Now, we'd like to show you what um the plan commits to deliver in the near term. So, despite the recalibration, the short-term action plan is substantial and it's also tangible. Uh we're calling it the fix it first approach that can
also build on the momentum through visible progress. Four priorities define the near-term. cleaner beaches, safer crosswalks, better sidewalks, and financial stability in order to establish
foundational planning to be able to support any future growth. These aren't high-profile projects, but they're important um and foundational improvements that residents might be able to see and feel and notice in their daily lives, and that could build public trust and demonstrate um that there's
more momentum to do some of the more ambitious um recommendations in the plan in later years in the plan horizon. Um and now we'd like to show you where some of these uh efforts might be geographically focused in town. So good planning isn't just about what
you do but also where it occurs. So we've tried to translate the vision into some type of a clear spatial strategy. plan identifies four types of um of areas each with different a different strategic approach transformation
focus growth and reimagine the key nodes like Finn and square and the rail station area strengthen in order to fix deficiencies and critical infrastructure assets like Kings Beach and the Fisherman's Pier enhance improve
existing assets and connectivity along corridors like Humphre Creek and the rail rail trail and preserve protect neighborhood character, key resources and natural areas. We're hoping that this framework can help everyone understand what type of change is
appropriate in different parts of town and it can help manage expectations and focus resources strategically. Now, here's what it looks like slightly more specific. Uh you can see some of the transfer um transformation nodes in purple at Finnen Square and the general
rail station area. Strengthening priorities are marked in orange such as at King's Beach, Fisherman's Pier, and various neighborhood um amenity improvements. Enhancement corridors are in the teal color along Humphre Street and rail
trail and preservation areas are in green including the town forest uh conservation lands and the Mstead Historic District. The big picture is that the growth is focused into specific nodes for transformation and improvement around Vivven Square and the generalized
uh rail station area places that have existing infrastructure, transit access and commercial activity. Um this approach manages density concerns and preserves existing neighborhood character elsewhere. Also the coastline generally is a priority
area that blends uh infrastructure repairs with economic enhancements in order to reflect the balance between resilience needs and also tourism recreation goals. Now, we'd like to zoom out a little bit and just show you three consensus priorities that
emerged most strongly um in the plan and throughout the process. So, the three critical areas that emerge with overwhelming community consensus touched on critical infrastructure and resilience, multimodal connectivity, and
vibrant walkable hubs. So starting with the first one um fortify our infrastructure and resilience. Uh starting with infrastructure resilience this is about addressing the urgent issues first. The plan calls for addressing critical water
quality and sewer failures affecting Kings Beach. It's not aspirational. It's about fixing um those systems actively that are actively failing. also of the need to fund seaw walls and green storm water infrastructure as also a
reflection in connection to your recently approved um hazard mitigation plan for 2025 2030. Additionally, uh this um priority also recognizes the need to create long-term funded plans
for road and sidewalk maintenance that also integrate ADA standards and low impact development principles. Too often maintenance gets deferred year after year. So this plan calls for a little bit of a more systematic predictable approach to um foundational
infrastructure. The second priority is on connectivity um expediting the rail trail connect uh completion implementing complete streets and vision zero principles townwide establishing safe connections at Vinnon
Square in generally in the rail station area. And the final one on housing and hubs. Focus revitalization at Finn Square. Strengthen the affordable housing trust and encourage missing middle housing
through zoning reform such as for options like duplexes and triplexes. So one of the most important findings from the process is that there's not like no challenge stands alone. We identified 10 interconnected themes that
touched on those eight topics, showing how a lot of the goals reinforced each other. And with this integrated approach, it ensures that our actions have multiple benefits. For example, expanding diverse housing options can also help to support economic
development goals by attracting retaining workers and residents. And with that um we've tried to show that some of these strategies to to deliver multiple benefits simultaneously for the town and transitioning to
implementation. These um plans don't implement themselves. So we'll talk about that in the next slide. So this is the number one recommendation that we're carrying forward from your prior master plan for the for 2016 2025
master plan that we we've updated through this process and that is to establish a master plan implementation committee. This could this would be a joint volunteer and municipal body that will be in charge of championing the plan, tracking progress and keeping
priorities moving forward. Uh critically, the town staff working with the implementation committee still retain final discretion on which recommendations to pursue and not everything in the plan is possible to get done. So that's a reality. So it's
the implementation committee that will need to make some tough choices about what's the most compelling ideas in the plan um given available resources. The recommended committee's job wouldn't be to micromanage day-to-day governance. It
would be to provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability and also reassess priorities as circumstances change throughout. And you can think of it as being like the stewards of the long-term vision. So for our next steps um we we have to
determine um when the public comment period be once will be once draft 1.5 is done uh with the recent comments that we got from town planning staff. Um and final draft two would follow um for some subsequent um potential planning board
adoption in the spring or summer. And again just want to reiterate that as as you think about the plan that think of seriously consider that first recommendation that we're recommending again and echoing from your prior master plan which is establishing that
implementation committee so that the goals don't sit on the shelf but also there's more capacity um to help uh planning staff and the town in general to be able to move forward with some of these ideas that we heard from the community. So this is basically the it's a refined
road map that integrates 18 months of community input that try is trying to balance like a real a realistic assessment of that community consensus and ideas and visions that we heard with the reality of um municipal capacity to be able to implement some of these ideas
throughout the 10-year horizon. and draft 1.5 when once it's available, we hope we'll be able to reflect those um priority buckets that were re readjusted and your feedback with your feedback tonight and as well as future feedback
during during that public comment period. We want to hear what you think about general master plan approach um and does this feel right or should we adjust that balance um further or differently? And with that, um, we'll leave it open
for comments. Well, once once we activate and determine when the public comment period is, we will ask everyone to please submit their comments gener and and all municipal bodies um through um a structured comment form that will
make it easier to be able to assess the input that we get from everyone. Um once we activate it, we'll have it linked to that QR code and that URL link the link to your town web page as well. And with that, we just want to say want to thank
everyone for participating the all the members of the advisory group. We have some uh present here tonight as well. And I thank you for your attention and we can open up to comments. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Carlos. >> Thanks.
>> Good. Um, >> that was a lot. >> Yeah, that was a lot. >> Yeah. I I guess what one of the things that I was that struck me as we looked at you know sort of repositioning um or
you know shifting priorities is I'm looking at um I'm looking at areas where that may have been shifted where we already have momentum and maybe you know once we have momentum somewhere it
shouldn't necessarily be shifted. I think we should kind of put the pedal to the metal type of thing and and continue with momentum. An example would be, you know, Vinnon Square. Um and maybe, you
know, linked to that would be we could kind of try in some roadway infrastructure sort of thing. But but that really um you know because we have the zoning in place for part of Vinnon Square and because there's so much work underway in terms of developing that
portion into a more vibrant community and there's housing to come and so on and so forth that I I wouldn't really want to see that shift so much. I'd want to look at and there's that wasn't the only area. I mean I'm looking at you know Hadley school the Hawthorne you know there's other projects where we
have momentum and in terms of you know assigning effort to to other projects I mean I'd want to keep the effort I wouldn't want to lose momentum where we already have it put it that way um
>> I I really agree with what you said um because that was the first reaction I had to a lot of this was it feels like you know we're looking to tomorrow for this plan like what's it going to look like 2035, 2026, etc. But a lot of the things that are referenced are things that we've made a ton of progress on in
the last 12 to 18 months. I think we've reszoned almost every parcel in Vinnon Square within the last four years across four zoning bylaws. Um so I I I appreciate keeping momentum going and making the change. Um at the same time, I don't want to almost like close one
eye and forget the last few years where we've done a lot of momentum building on sustaining things. for example, Hawthorne Hotel, Vinnon Square, the um Hadley Hotel, Hawthorne parcel. Um whereas I I just want to have that in mind because I think if someone were to read this master plan in two years,
they'd be like, "Oh, nothing's happened in Venon Square. They haven't they didn't do anything in Venon Square." So, I I almost just want to wonder if there's a way to use recent history to inform some of those objectives so that we're not kind of ignoring some of the
significant progress that's been made in the last couple years. >> Anyway, that's my thought. >> I agree. The other thing that I wonder and I'm curious the rest of the board's thought is um and Carlos I'm curious I curious your
thoughts on this as well. What other towns have a master plan implementation committee? Cuz I like the idea of it but I'm imagining like in three years a master plan implementation committee coming and telling us we have to do this zoning thing because they're telling us we do and that would make me quite uncomfortable.
>> Well, it's you know take there's a there's a good example here. So, you know, it it was really hard to kind of keep up with, you know, we did a lot in in the last master plan. I would, you know, easily 80% of what we had
recommended had been either completed or >> begun and you know I but a lot of that I had to you know me and other people had had to keep track of you know manually. Take for example the open space committee which I also chaired that when
it when we first wrote because we wrote our own open space plan but after that committee was in place they were this incredibly dedicated group and they still are but they wanted to be the open space and recreation plan committee and their their goal is to advocate for all
the you know all the tenants of you know preserving open space but it was also I mean if you go to any one of those meetings the first thing they do is pull up uh the air table that has everything like a whole implementation chart listed and they just sort of go through like where are we and it kind of it's not a
>> okay next week we're doing this. It's not that it's just it was very fluid but they were really able to make progress on things and there was a way to track it. So um and there was you know some there was some responsibility you know
you had uh you know we all had a certain amount of um you know you know some people more than others like that people would kind of you know take uh ownership of a particular project and um you know would sort of advance it that way. So
that being said, I think having a committee to help just help with that fluid let's keep it moving what's happening with this and and also to just track the progress because sometimes it's just subtle and things get done but
but there is progress and and um and if there seems to be something where we've met a road jam then maybe it is something we want to does this still make sense and >> but at any rate I happen to think that if we don't have an implementation committ It's just we we're going to
struggle with it again and not be able to, >> you know, really have the kind of, you know, really living document that we'd like to see. Um, so that's my opinion. I I think it's it's a much bigger plan. It'll be a little more challenging. I
don't know whether you want to whether you would even consider Carlos like because there's so much overlap but breaking up you know the implementation committee maybe it's you have an implementation committee and that there are like a sort of subcommittees under it that maybe even three like that
manage certain parts just because it's it's it's big maybe that's not necessary I'm just throwing it out there but I'm very supportive of having an implementation committee >> Carlos do you have a list of the items that the actions that were moved from
the initial period and then spread out over the midterm and long term. >> So the they were pretty detailed but um a lot a lot of them are transportation related because there were a lot of numerous um very granular transportation
recommendations and strategies. So a good chunk of them are transportation consolidation. Right. So there was some consolidation involved and then there was some re reassessing or putting in different buckets. >> Okay. >> Um but I would say many were
>> Can you define transportation consolidation? What what are you referencing? >> Yeah. So there was the we mentioned the EV like the EV model. >> Let's see here. I think I I tried to paint a highle picture of of it, but we
talked a little bit about let's see here >> um right here uh consolidating for clarity, the vision zero and the safe routes to school. So the like the the um multimotal safety and pedestrian safety improvements, that sort of thing.
Microtransit recommendations as well as EV charging recommendations. >> And what what is microtransit exactly? ebikes. >> Microtransit's a last mile. It's like a shuttle van that circulates a town and does the last mile connections between your existing commuter rail into the
neighborhoods. It's some communities have like a senior shuttle except this would be expanded for the general public. >> Okay. >> Um there had been in the past an idea of potentially um connecting with the Salem Skipper um and or building upon having
some type of a pilot plan. Um, so that kind of generally touches on that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Um, this is it's great work. I think you've done a you know tremendous job
kind of putting all you know I know it's very difficult working from an existing plan which what we asked you to do was hard. I mean typically the way I know you know was preferably preferable to go about master planning is to just start from scratch and Elena was um she really
enlightened me as to how that would have been a much better route to take. However, um we felt that we had such a, you know, great solid base. But I know I think you've done a great job taking that basis but making it completely
fresh and and relevant to you know it's a different decade, different community, different uh priorities and I really appreciate the work you've done. >> Thank you. Yeah, I think together everyone who's participated, we've taken
some we started with the jumping off point of your prior plan and kept what made sense and also folded in a lot of new ideas as well. I feel like >> just made it more relevant. That's very good. >> Well,
>> what's the comment period, Carlos? >> Um, we we have to there there was a we have like a little delay. we have to fold in some of those um changes um right now. So >> um in order to make those regroupings and consolidations happen between draft
1 to draft 1.5. So we anticipate uh those changes sometime in mid to late March. Um and so so the comment period would start thereafter. So in all likelihood uh either late March or or in overlapping into um April.
>> Got it. >> Okay. I think once that comes out, I think we'll probably all have more verbose commentary and feedback to to provide to you. >> Yeah. And you're reacting to an executive summary. So once you actually go through the document, it'll be different. Y >> and we tried to put together this
comment form to make um to make it easier for us to receive the comment. We discussed this with um a lot of people at MPC and also with um some advisory group members about how it would um make more sense to be able to create an a common form um on different topics and
on diff just make it more structured um in in order for us to be able to convey what feedback we get from you and other um members of the general public through that comment period. and then be so that we can be able to address the um the changes and the requests that are made
and also convey how it how it was received. >> So what's what's the end point? Town meeting some point. >> I think we jointly approved this with the select board and then it goes to town meeting >> for a vote, right? >> So we targeting
>> Carlos, you sent us a timeline and I totally can't recall it. Could you just go over the timeline for when we meet with the select board to when we're proposing this be approved? >> So, we have to discuss with um the town, but I I think you have some flexibility bringing it deciding those aspects. We
we're MAPC is going to bring it to just the make all of these changes after the comment period and reflect that in draft 2 and then you can decide at your own like uh pace when it makes sense to bring it forward. >> So, I think that would depend on when the select board is comfortable with. Yeah.
>> So, I guess I just like a general like is it >> this this fall, next spring? >> I think it feasibly could be as soon as this spring. >> Carlos, I I apologize for this question going in because it might be getting a little bit deep into the weeds when I'm
looking at that preserving is urgent. Uh the four bullet points seem very sound to me. Um, but the one thing that keeps popping in my head is town meetings decision to buy the Hawthorne by the sea. Where is that sitting in the
priorities? because I think when we're talking about something that is very visible, um I think that that is one that a decision was made by the town and if we fumble it, um it will really
impact the faith that the residents have in the town itself. >> I don't know the answer off the top of my head because there was a lot there's 155 actions. It's the leveraging of public properties is definitely mentioned in here, but I
don't know off the top of this isn't necessarily like an immediate planning context for development review right now, but it it is it is mentioned. I just don't know off the top of my head where that precisely landed. Yeah, I'm sorry because it seems like like how
those types of assets that right now are liabilities >> are being managed I think is in my opinion pretty urgent. Um and the fact that it's not here is a is a little disconcerting.
Um but as I will say I think the things that are here are of incredible importance. resolved by >> I I think that landed in the midterm for the there was a advis reuse advisory committee working with the planning
board and the select board and >> advisory committee's been >> I I believe it was >> categorized under the midterm >> right the advisory committee wrapped up their duties and they presented a report to the select board this fall
>> dissolved at this point >> yeah and that that's That's just one point. I'm I'm really afraid of how people might react with that not being >> a really significant part. >> I think there are some, you know, comments that we could probably make now
that, you know, we're just shooting you an email and kind of bringing up some stuff that might be really helpful. >> But Jar, I I had that mentality, but at the same time, I hope and I don't want to, you know, wishing would make it so. I really hope that conversation is
resolved around the time this gets approved because if not, we've got other issues that we got to resolve and that's kind of totally outside of this committee's >> direct responsibility. But >> no, but as a town, I think I think we need to take a leadership role in in
seeing how that's moving. Um, and I will point to number two and number one on this urgent list. And I think that anyone in your position would have said the same thing a decade ago about those two projects. >> Yep. Well, let's hope it doesn't add a third
to that list. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. There are there were a lot of um um in terms of, you know, Kings Beach I that's a 200 year old problem. >> Yeah. It's an ancient problem. >> You know, it's just they're doing the best they can. So, it's it'll always be urgent. you know, the rail trail
completion. I think that's, you know, we're we're stymied by um National Grid and Mass DOT in terms of getting that bridge over Paradise Road and that's kind of, you know, I think they're trying to do other pieces of it bit by bit. We do. >> I was going to say I thought there was
funding in >> there is funding but there's a connection aspect that's been really tough that Marcy's been diligently trying to um go through and she meets uh monthly with the border to Boston Trail group y >> and up them on that.
>> I'll be honest that I'll use that as an example. The rail trail completion >> the impact and the visibility >> Yeah. and the expense we have already entered an expense >> on the Hawthorne >> and that's why
>> no agreed it is a case where >> I think these are great and they're going to be important but I would like to see >> I agree with you >> a conversation >> and again it goes back to stuff that we've you know not only does that have a you know huge financial impact but it also has you know the an urgency I mean
we do have you know those RFPs out I don't know what's going on with that so I guess >> to that point also it has a massive planning impact on the entire Humphrey Street neighborhood which we have kind of made a priority of this board since before I was on it. >> Yeah. >> So, I mean I think that you know submitting some comments even like I
said by email just directly to >> Yeah, >> Carlos is helpful. >> I'm going to have to excuse myself. I have to um I have to I I have um I've got to get home. >> Yeah, I think so. >> I have coverage anymore. Um I I thank
you so much, Carlos. I think you did a great job and I appreciate the opportunity to speak. >> Yeah, this was really informative. Thank you. >> Good evening everyone. Thank you for this opportunity and we'll be in touch. >> Thanks Carlos. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> I am not far behind Angela, but I did
want to make it for the what I could hear. So I apologize for not being here for I was conflicted out of almost everything tonight anyway. >> And she had to leave at 9:30. So I have to go. However, can I just say before I before I rudely tear out of this meeting
that I'm 100% in support of the administrative review and I've read through it and I would absolutely vote to um as you know an individual I would as a board member I'd vote to adopt it. >> Thank you.
>> Um so thank you very much for your work on that. I think it's it looks really good and I like Marblehead's wording too and I you know so I again I apologize I'm back to >> all good. Thanks Angela.
>> Good night Angela. >> Yeah so on the uh on the admin review process. Um >> yeah I will keep it extremely brief. I put all of this together for you all
just going over administrative review for minor site plan changes. Um why this would be beneficial. Um it's basically putting into our zoning bylaw a way to approve administratively minor changes.
Um so it's a process of improvement. Um so for example today um we had 450 Paradise Road come before you for some changes to the site plan. Um this would allow for that
review to come before the board administratively. So it would still come before you, but it wouldn't require a public hearing and the public notification. Um it would just be placed onto the agenda for your review. Can >> I ask a quick question? What would trip
it to the next level? So um yes, so basically building footprint changes of 10% or less. Um minor site layout or circulation adjustments would be eligible for administrative review, technical revisions, but no
change in use or intensity. Um and it would be at the planning board's discretion. So things that wouldn't be eligible would be new uses. Any zoning relief like setbacks or height or parking relief or variances like that. Any increases in density or intensity
wouldn't be administrative. Um any changes that affected butters or public safety or anything that requires special perimeter variance. So, it's basically something that would be allowed um and that is not far off from
what is already approved. >> Quick question on the building square footage, the 10% um like if we think about the project today, a 10% of the the Paradise Road at 10% would be huge.
>> That's a huge change. So, that like like that's the only one of all of these seem fine. That one sort of jumped at me because even on a thousand square foot house 10% is >> a chunk >> and again it would be at the planning board's discretion. So if it is a very
large change because of that 10% on a large building then you would be able to make the decision that it could still be a public hearing if it's a very large significant change. >> Um >> I have a question sort of sideways to that. Uh so it comes to the planning
board for administrative review. What does that look like? we talk about it and then you go off and and do the re do the change I assume >> right it would be very similar to what happened today um it would be eliminating the public hearing part of
the process um because >> that would make the process go a little smoother and more easily >> one of the reasons that we tal we've talked about this with Angel and I have with Chris for a few months now everything that happened tonight with the Vinnon square would have happened
exactly as it happened tonight. The only difference would be from an administrative perspective, the town would be saving $500 to $1,000. Applications applicants would be saving the same. >> Yeah. >> And I'm I'm on board with that notification out of butter. >> We had to go through the process and notify all the abutters again.
>> I'm I'm on board with that. My question is what happens if we say no. >> Does it then go to it? >> It would go through the public hearing process. So, it's only an ability for us to pre-approve something that we think is going to be good.
>> It's only for amending a site plan that's already been approved. >> Correct. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> But if, for example, we said no to something in Viv Square, >> right? >> Then it would come through the full process. >> Yes. >> Right. You would >> make a determination that the changes
are too great to be approved administratively and that it should go through the public hearing process. >> Right. And did we have like KP Law or anyone take a look just to make sure that >> they haven't taken a look yet. Um, we wanted to bring it in front of you guys. Um, >> I have had conversations with Robin over
there about this in the past. This is something that several towns have. Salem, Marblehead, Lynfield, >> Hunt, I want to say a lot of towns have it. They'll she'll work through the language. Obviously, >> I mean, to juror's point, I kind of just want to make sure that like the criteria are not going to like trip us up.
>> Yeah, absolutely. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Right. on board conceptually. >> I did include some of the examples later in the presentation. Um I had them for this slideshow, but for your reference, it goes through um some of what >> the surrounding towns do.
>> Yep. I think the real crux of this is this happened, you know, tonight with Vinn Square, but over the last year, there's been like three people who have come before us for an amendment to an existing site plan that we're so minimal that it's a waste of their time, a waste of Chris and their office time to do all
the the stamps and everything. So, it's like, >> let's figure out a way to respect the neighbors, but also respect a minimal change that should cost somebody thousands to, right, change a door or something. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, I did draft some draft language that are in your packets that
you can take a look at and let me know if you have any changes or any thoughts. Um, something to note is a lot of other municipalities that do this, they specifically define like minor site plan and major site plan like in their
definitions. Um, the way that this is written, it's really more of the eligibility criteria. Um, so it's something you can do it one way or the other, but it's something to take a look at. If you think that it it would be better with a definition for like a minor site plan or a major site plan,
that's something we can do as well. So, it's something to consider. >> Yeah, that's a good point. Especially if a lot of other towns are doing it just to like, you know, have us all playing on the same >> I will say no two towns do this the same way. There's it's it varies greatly. So
it's really, you know, knowing what comes before you all. Um what is the most realistic um most efficient way that it you know has legal standing that we could add to um do this process that
makes sense for you guys? So is there a fee for the >> expedited? >> Yeah, there would be an administrative >> the same fee >> fee potentially. >> I can't imag Well, I shouldn't answer that. I can't imagine it would be the
same as the fee to do a non >> But we don't set fees anyway, right? >> I believe that's all >> right. Yeah, we would we would do that in our office. We would set whatever the fee is. >> Okay. But the goal is to try and avoid them having to pay a extensive fee of which a lot of that fee goes to cover
postage for the abutter notifications and everything. So if we're skipping that I would assume that >> yeah the same >> the notice fees would be removed. So >> okay >> so take a look take it home with you.
Um, please I can also I know I didn't send this draft out with all of the materials I sent out today, but I will send it to you all and so that you have like a word version or that type of version that you want to write comments directly in it. Um, I will send that out to you all.
>> I think it would be great if you could send that and then but by the time we have the next meeting, maybe even before if we could get comments back to Christa. >> Yeah, I think this is kind of priority that I'd like to get this before town meeting this year. Yeah, I I just I hate clogging up our agendas with stuff like
>> Yeah, they should be fast. Yeah. Anyway, and then >> I think that that's definitely doable. So, I'll send out the word version to you all and ask for comments back in like two weeks. >> Okay, great. >> All right. >> Thanks, Christa.
Um Okay. Uh other business not reasonably anticipated by the board. Um I just had two things here. We don't really have to spend too much time talking about it, but do we need to find a time to just connect on that joint meeting with Marblehead on the Glover
project that we talked about last time? We are. Um, yes, but I am meeting with the chairman of the planning board in Marblehead first to kind of figure out the upside of their board because they are going through their
>> 3A changes which will likely affect the parcel that we're talking about. Y >> so they've got a whole process with that given the state's involvement. So trying to respectful of that. So yes, but no logistics yet.
>> Okay. Um and then my only other thing was I know we talked about the signage bylaw um last time. >> Still a priority. So um >> it was kind of busy this month, but I will um we do have the warrant for town
meeting coming up. So we I can get something before you guys. >> Okay. >> For that to see >> I know that they're >> see if it's right. >> And I have not found the time >> to to do it. Every time that we have the time, >> it's not the time that you want to be standing outside. >> You know, it's like we've we've we've
hit it a couple times. So she and I did a quick >> check in on that. >> There is some pretty ready language already um that's been thought over that Angela has sent me. So, I will make sure to send that out to you all um for review by next meeting in that way that
we can get it on the warrant if it seems ready and everyone's on board. >> Okay. >> And I think there will be some discussion and debate on this. I know that >> Yeah. >> U I I I think even between Angela and I because she's made a couple of references to the blade signs and
>> and there really blade signs are signs that stick out from buildings instead of on the front >> and um >> Oh. Hungry Street is actually a street that blade signs make sense because >> they're pedestrian scale signs. >> Yeah. Yeah. That's another term, but
some of it has to do with >> like Barber Pole type signs or >> Well, Barber Pole um like has a circular one that sticks out. >> Got it. >> But street is a very strange >> um commercial street in the sense that
it's it's curved and everything is on the curve. So your your your line of sight is constantly interrupted. >> Sure. >> So the way like applying signage flat on buildings, there's some logic in having >> a more pedestrian friendly and uh and
visible. So I think our our site visit and and documentation of that and maybe guidelines as to how we do it. It's not the thing to eliminate. >> Yep. Um >> Okay. Yeah. Yeah. I'd like to make sure that we all have a chance to just review and talk. So >> my recollection of the language is it's
rather extensive. I think Bill you were we were on the board a few years ago when we last talked about it and it was multiple pages of new language. So it's it'll >> signage. >> Yeah, I think we did it like 2021 or 22. >> So we did awnings.
>> Yes, we did it and the select board did not put it on the warrant so it did not get all the way. >> Yeah. >> Um >> Yeah. >> But it was extensive. So my point of bringing that up is it's a lot to get >> very complicated and you know things changed a lot since then. Yeah.
>> So, uh, yeah, I mean, >> but it's an extensive topic. Everybody, it touches everybody in town. >> I think one of the questions >> there, there's a lot of there's a lack of design review in the town. >> And there tends to be a feeling that we
somehow want to be a town that looks a certain way, but we don't want to have design review. >> Those two things cannot coexist, right? And so one of the things that you know we need to figure out where it sits but it really needs to sit somewhere because
it's a constant struggle and there's struggles with it from historic district. There struggles like we see this action of do and ask permission or forgiveness instead of permission and we we really struggle with it as a town. So
getting policies that are up and people that are accountable so things don't go up and they're like well I follow you know it's it's why >> the first attempt at this failed so badly and Humphrey Street >> yeah we need to designate someone to
actually be the person who administratively reviews the sign permits when they are >> okay >> so do do you want to recirculate the language that you have just for preliminary reactions >> I will recirculate what I have. Um I
will also just take a look at it um because I haven't extensively reviewed it yet. So um I won't change anything, but I might submit some of my thoughts with it to get your opinions. >> Great.
>> Anybody have anything else? Yeah, I um am still working on encouraging the potential applicants for the General Glover Farmhouse to come before the planning board for a pre-application meeting as is encouraged in the zoning bylaw. Um
but no timeline on that. Have not heard back from them on that at all, but just wanted to keep the board aware. >> Thanks. That'll be >> okay. >> That's all I got. Motion to adjurnn.
Second. All those in favor I. >> All right. Thanks. >> Thank you.