MELROSE PLANNING BOARD

Regular Meeting

Monday, June 25, 2007

7:45 P.M.

Mayor’s Conference Room

PRESENT: John Sadowski, Bob Mercado, Gerry Marcus, Anne DeSouza-Ward, Tom Pawlina and Carla Francazio

ABSENT: Mike Cassavoy, Ed Cassidy, and Richard Connolly

Denise Gaffey, Director & City Planner, was present.

The meeting was called to order at 7:50 P.M. by the Acting Chair, Mr.Pawlina.

MINUTES

a) Regular Meeting and Public Hearing, May 21, 2007

Mr. Mercado MADE a MOTION to accept the minutes. Ms. Desouza-Ward SECONDED the MOTION. All voted in favor. None opposed.

ASSENT CALENDAR

Case 07-017, 104 Cleveland Street, Crowley

Mr. Sadowski made a brief comment about the elongated shape of the structure. Ms. Desouza-Ward MADE a MOTION to send a standard letter. Mr. Mercado SECONDED the MOTION. All in favor. None opposed.

BOARD OF APPEALS

Case 07-016, 83 Hesseltine Avenue, Foley

The Applicant, Susan Foley, requested Thomas Price to present her case to the Planning Board in her absence. Mr. Price described the present screened-in porch which they would like to convert into year-round living space and also to extend the porch footprint to increase the living area. Mr. Pawlina had a question about the location of the bulkhead. Mr. Sadowski suggested showing the steps as part of the foundation on the plan. Mr. Mercado noted a discrepancy in the front setback dimension – the proposed addition will reduce the setback to 9.1 feet and not 12.1 feet as the plot plan appears to indicate. Mr. Pawlina and Mr. Sadowski agreed and thought clarification would be helpful. Ms. Desouza-Ward MADE a MOTION to send a standard letter to the Board of Appeals. Ms. Marcus SECONDED the MOTION. All voted in favor. None opposed.

SUBDIVISIONS

Blueberry Hill Lane

Patrick McAvoy was present on behalf of his client, Don Gianquitto. He explained the Applicant had been before the Board and received approval last July. The proposal has townhouses on four lots and a single family house on one lot. Mr. McAvoy stated that there is a lot of ledge at this site which made it difficult for the developer to come up with a solution for single-family homes. The plans before the Planning Board tonight have been revised. The engineer has shifted the road five feet to the north as it comes up from Forest Street. This will lengthen the road, soften the radius of the turn and decrease the slope. The Applicant is seeking approval for this revised plan from the Planning Board. Ms. Gaffey stated the change is pretty minor – just a slight change in the plan. Ms. Desouza-Ward asked the reason for the change. Mr. McAvoy replied it was to get the correct square footage for the lots. The Applicant stated that just the area of each lot has changed – not the frontage. Mr. Pawlina asked if drainage has changed and was told by the Applicant that it has not. The Planning Board members expressed some concern regarding potential unforeseen impacts as a result of the shift of the road. Ms. Gaffey advised the Planning Board to endorse the plans contingent on Public Works Department Superintendent Bob Beshara’s approval of the minor roadway adjustment. Ms. Marcus MADE a MOTION to approve the plans contingent upon Superintendent Bob Beshara’s approval. Mr. Sadowski SECONDED the MOTION. All voted in favor. None opposed.

OTHER

Open Space and Recreation Plan

Ms. Gaffey said the Planning Board members should expect to receive an email with a draft copy of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. She said it is updated every five years. Ms. Gaffey explained that the Plan is needed for grants. The last plan update was in 2000. A letter is needed from the Planning Board supporting the Plan. She stated that the Planning Board can discuss any comments at the next meeting.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Ms. Desouza-Ward MADE a MOTION to go into Executive Session to discuss litigation involving the Planning Board. Mr. Mercado SECONDED the MOTION. The Board will adjourn from Executive Session. A roll call was taken and all voted in favor.

Minutes of Executive Session appear separately.