Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Zoning-Min-20181228125540
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_ Gown of Tantun, ffiassar4nsrtts N N ' ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEMORIAL HALL 801 WASHINGTON STREET CANTON, MA 02021 TEL: (781) 575-6589 FAX: (781) 575-6574 Minutes of the meeting of November 15, 2018 PRESENT: Gregory L. Pando, Vice Chairman Gary E. Vinciguerra John R. McCourt, Alternate Charles J. Armando, Alternate Also Present: Tamra Stock, Recording Secretary Not Present: Paul B. Carroll, Chairman Meeting Held in the Salah Hearing Room, 2nd floor, 801 Washington Street, Canton, MA Acting Chairman Pando opened the meeting at 7:00 pm and reads the agenda. Chairman Pando states the first order of business is to approve the 2019 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting schedule. This has been reviewed by the Board multiple times. Mr. John McCourt makes a motion to approve the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting schedule for 2019 as presented. Mr. Vinciguerra seconds. Vote 3-0 approve Canton Holdings, LLC —104 Revere Street Chairman Pando opens the hearing and explains this is an informal hearing. Attorney Paul Schneiders thanks the Board for hearing this first as he needs to get to a Historical Commission meeting. Attorney Schneiders explains this will be a quick presentation for some Minor Modification of the site by Thorndike Development. Attorney Schneiders hands in the recommendation from the Planning Board. They had voted 4-0 and were enthusiastic with the changes being made. Chairman Pando explains anytime there are changes this Board likes to give the Planning Board the opportunity to weight in that they agree it is minor in nature or if it needs further review. Chairman Pando states Mr. Thomas Scully, Chairman of the Planning Board was kind enough to get to this matter right away and he reads his letter into the record. Mr. Lloyd Geisinger, President of Thorndike Development explains they have entered into a contract with Canton Holdings, LLC. to purchase the portion of the Paul Revere Heritage Site that has been approved to permit construction of 212 condominiums. This portion of the project will be names "Copperworks". Chairman Pando points out to Mr. Geisinger that the Town of Canton has a development on Route 138 named Copperwood. Mr. Geisinger states they are aware of that and they run into it all the time but they felt this was distinctive enough and the brand will be able to stand alone. Mr. Geisinger states everyone is familiar with the site but they are acquiring all of the buildings that are shown on the plan in his exhibit except for the complex with the senior housing. They will be building one building at a time in phases. Phase 1 and 2 is building 3 and 4. Mr. Geisinger explains
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Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of November 15, 2018 Page 2 of 14 Building 3 showed a long building in the original proposal and they have now developed a new one shorter in length to free up the corner adjacent to Revere Street and Revolution Way. They have also included more parking under the building. Building 4 in the original proposal was a 30 unit building and they are proposing to add six more units to this building. These will be coming from the last phase so there are no additional units added to the site. Mr. Geisinger explains the parking will be along the rear of the building and below the building which will pull some paving away from the wetlands and righter to the building. Mr. Ken Staffer with VHB explains Mr. Geisinger has covered most of the changes and the site plan changes are very minimal. These changes allow for them to reconfigure the retaining wall along factory pond. Along the pond is the walkway that ties the development and the sidewalk system to the train station. One of the biggest improvements is the wall pulling it away from the wetlands and creating some additional landscape area. In addition it allowed a reduction of the riverfront area impacts and some buffer zone impacts. Mr. Staffer mentions last night they were before the Conservation Commission and they have decided these impacts are minor. All access remains the same. Mr. Geisinger states the original buildings were facing the parking lot and they have turned it around to put the front doors on the streets. He shows a rendering of what the building will look like. Mr. Geisinger states they would like it to appear like townhouses with a flat roof. They would like to introduce some solar and they will also have roof decks. Mr. Geisinger states they are executing on principals of smart growth with more spaces for individuals to connect. They show a rendering of the rear of the building. More outdoor space for the individual homes. He shows the roof deck plan with solar panels. Mr. Geisinger states they have a letter from the Fire Chief who has reviewed the plans and has found them acceptable. Chairman Pando states his first question is concerning the pinch point at building four. The entire rear site right now shows a full two lane access behind buildings 3 and 4 except for the pinch point. Is that 16'? Yes. One way or two way? One way out to Revere Street. Mr. Staffer explains there are 10 parking spaces on north side of Building 4 so there is two way access to those but the pinch point is one way and will be designated with signs. Chairman Pando states his second comment is these building appear to be more urban for Canton. There is a great street presence. Mixed use of materials throughout the building. The thing he is concerned with is the roof looks to be a big box and looks like a mill building. There is not a lot of interest to break up the eye. He would like to come up with something a little better to break up the constant line. There was more of a regional New England architecture look with hip roofs. Chairman Pando states he doesn't expect that but the parapet and the cornice ability to articulate it more so there is not a straight line going across. Mr. Geisinger states he respects what Chairman Pando is'saying and they will look at the parapet but what they are trying to do is bring the focus to the street and a large pitched roof will bring the eye there. They make sense on small homes but not on a building like this. Chairman Pando states design wise you are coming from Neponset Street and it is the first line you will see. Mr. Geisinger states they have tried to address