Palmer Planning Board

Planning Board Meeting Minutes Monday, April 2, 2012

I. Call to order Chairman Michael Marciniec called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 2, 2012 in The Town Hall Meeting Room. Present were members Norman Czech, Andrew Golas, Kathleen Burns and Thomas Skowyra. Also present was Town Planner, Linda Leduc, recording minutes.

II. New Business

1. 7:00 PM – Site Plan Approval for The Yellow House, Inc. for establishment of an Adult Learning Center at the property located 1479 North Main Street, Palmer. Parcel known as Map 57, Lot 39.

M. Marciniec opened the public hearing. L. Leduc read the public hearing notice.

In attendance was the site engineer, Donald Frydryk, of Sherman & Frydryk, Janet Callahan and Bonnie Rathbone, members of the Board of Directors of the Yellow House, and property owner, Mark Gaudreau.

D. Frydryk addressed the project and described the existing conditions. The parcel is 18,623 sf in size. The existing structure, formerly a dentist office and residence proposes to have 1,730 sf of office space. The remaining area will be used as classrooms. The proposed use requires 9 parking spaces. The Site Plan proposes 13 spaces. A copy of the proposed ground sign has been submitted for the Special Permit. There is no change in lighting. There is no change in landscaping. A waiver of the Landscaping Plan has been requested. The Board asked why all the trees have been removed from parcel? Mr Gaudreau stated that the work was done on a separate parcel to the north, which he owns. It was done for clean up purposes. Nothing was removed from this parcel.

Access to the parcel is through an easement off of Highland Street through an abutter’s property, Richard Petrashewicz, who submitted comments regarding his concerns of increased traffic and the commercial use of the access way over his property. A copy of the deed was submitted as part of the application describing the allowance to cross over to access 1479 North Main Street for any and all purposes. It was stated that the commercial use was not new as the building was previously used as a dentist’s office. M. Marciniec stated that he recently met with Craig Dolan, Director of Public Works, to discuss a possible curb-cut off of the main street. Mr. Dolan stated that for safety reasons it was not a favorable approach. Parking and access were discussed further and the potential for this use to cause an increase in traffic. It was stated that there will be a maximum of six participants in each class. Ms. Callahan stated that classes would be held in the afternoons and early evenings, 5-6 days/week. Classes will not be scheduled to run past 9:00 PM. At this time there will be minimal traffic. The office will be open weekdays at 9:00 AM and employ two Directors. The Board approved the hours of operation to be Monday through Sunday, 7 days a week, from 7:00AM – 10:00PM.

D. Frydryk stated that there is also the availability of on-street parking and there are agreements in place with both Country Bank and Beers & Story Funeral Home to allow for overflow parking. The Board suggested that the lot to the north be used for access onto Squire Street. Mr. Gaudreau stated that due to liability issues he would not consider creating a new access way across his property. The Board stated that it would be beneficial to re-visit parking and circulation matter in one year and will be noted as a condition of approval.

Motion to accept the waiver for a Landscaping Plan made by N. Czech, seconded by T. Skowyra. Motion passed 5:0.

Motion to approve of the Site Plan made by A. Golas, seconded by T. Skowyra. Motion passed 5:0.

Motion to approve the Special Permit for a ground sign made by N. Czech, seconded by Thomas Skowyra. Motion passed 5:0.

2. 7:35 PM – Discussion with Bob Haveles regarding the opening of the Palmer Historical and Cultural Center (PHCC) at 2072 Main Street, Three Rivers. Map 70, Lot 99.

Mr. Haveles was present, as well as two Board members of the Board of Directors, Donna Collette and Leslie Stephenson Teale, to discuss their interest in opening a cultural center in the former Union Evangelical Church. The nine-member Board recently bought the building. The Center will employ a curator and director.

This PHCC is interested in seeking approval from the Board to renovate and preserve the church building as a multiuse facility serving the community. A variety of uses were proposed including providing space for the safe keeping of Town archives and enhancing local fine arts programs by collaborating with the Yellow House, Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, Palmer Library, Top Floor Learning Center, Palmer Historical Committee and local Society, Palmer Events Planning and the Palmer High School. An estimated $40,000 is budgeted for interior renovations, and will include electrical and roof upgrades, and improvements to public safety needs specific to ADA accessibility and building code requirements such as sprinklers.

The venue will accommodate up to 200 people and programs will be for all ages and all interests. The Board stated that the new use will require Site Plan Approval and that the parking required for assembly use (existing 1,600 sf of assembly space) of 1 parking space/400 square feet will need to be addressed. It was stated that the adjacent parking lot is owned and maintained by the Town and currently provides shared parking to the building. It was suggested that Mr. Haveles speak with Craig Dolan, Director of Public Works regarding parking lot improvements. 3. 7:55 PM – Discussion with Bernie Croteau regarding a new use at 2190 Palmer Street, Three Rivers. Mr. Croteau was not present for the meeting. No discussion took place.

4. 8:00 PM - Knox Pond Construction Report #52

Motion to acknowledge receipt of Knox Pond Construction report #52 made by N. Czech, seconded by Thomas Skowyra. Motion passed 5:0.

III. Old Business

Minutes: There were no new minutes to approve.

IV. Board Member Comments

Planning Board was updated the Monson business, Polymer Corporation, relocating to 1 Third Street, in the Bondsville Industrial Park and the local Economic Development Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 5, to discuss Polymer’s recent Tax Increment Financing (TIF) application to the Town and State.

V. Adjournment

8:35PM - Motion to adjourn made by T. Skowyra, seconded by N. Czech. Motion passed 5:0.

______Clerk: Andrew M. Golas