City of Hallowell Planning Board Meeting October 17, :00 pm

Transcription

1 1. Call to Order Ms. Obery called the meeting to order. 2. Roll Call / Quorum City of Hallowell Planning Board Meeting October 17, :00 pm Ms. Obery took the roll call and established a quorum. Present: Danielle Obery (Chair), Richard Bostwick, Darryl Brown, Judith Feinstein, Andrew Landry, Melvin Morrison (1 st alt.), Jane Orbeton, Lisa Rigoulot, Matthew Rolnick (2 nd alt.) Doug Ide, Code Enforcement Officer Rick Seymour Jr. Mr. Morrison and Mr. Rolnick will not be voting. 3. Public Comments (The Board has agreed to limit the time allotted to Public Comment to fifteen minutes.) None. 4. Approval of Minutes of the September 19, 2018 Planning Board Meeting Motion to approve the minutes of the September 19, 2018 meeting as presented. Moved: Brown Seconded: Feinstein Unanimously approved 5. Conditional Use Application for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, Tammy Holman, 8 Orchard Lane, Map 8 Lot 19A. Mr. Ide explained that the Board found the application complete and did a partial review of the application at its last meeting, but there had not been time to advertise a public hearing required for a Conditional Use permit. Mr. Ide pointed out that many of the standards for a Conditional Use permit do not apply to this application because it is a small project. Mr. Ide pointed out that the Board also granted several waivers. Mr. Ide confirmed that abutters had been notified and that he had received no comments. Ms. Obery opened the Public Hearing. There were no comments from the public. Ms. Obery closed the Public Hearing. There was a brief discussion of the standards and how the project complied with them. Motion to approve the application as presented. 6. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Joan Granger, 165 Second Street, Map 9 Lot 107. Brian Alexander, Ms. Granger s contractor, represented her in presenting an application for construction of an attached shed and replacement of an overhead garage door with an entry door. Mr. Ide explained that this application was tabled from the last meeting. Mr. Alexander explained that Ms. Granger wants to replace the right-hand garage door with an entry door without eliminating the look of it, so they will construct a panel with molding and trim to look like the garage door and install the entry door in it. Mr. Brown asked if the entry door would be centered; Mr. Alexander said it will probably be left of center. He told the Board that Ms. Granger has decided not to add the shed so it

2 Planning Board October 17, 2018 Page 2 of 5 should be removed from the application. They will be constructing a retaining wall beside the driveway to the left of the garage. It will be built of concrete blocks 4' long, 1' thick and 2' wide with a faux stone face. Mr. Bostwick asked how much of the wall will be visible; Mr. Alexander said it will not be visible from the Second Street or from the driveway itself. It will be visible from Summer Street. Mr. Bostwick asked if the face of the blocks would be irregular to look like a granite wall; Mr. Alexander said it would. Motion to find the application complete as amended with the elimination of the shed and the addition of the information received regarding the retaining wall. Motion to find the application in harmony with Historic District standards and approve the application as amended. 7. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Eric Perry, 127 Second Street, Map 9 Lot 73. Vanessa Bazylewskyj represented Eric Perry and 127 Second Street LLC in presenting an application for reopening two original exterior doors and constructing stairs on the north and south sides of his building at 127 Second Street. Ms. Bazylewskyj explained that the house has two doorways that were blocked off and sided over. The intent is to reopen them, construct stairs to them, and to match the original doors that were there. Ms. Orbeton asked if there were stairs approved for the east side in a previous application; Mr. Ide explained that there was an approval for reconstruction of an existing entry on the east side. There was discussion of the east doorway. Bazylewskyj explained that Mr. Perry intends to replicate the doorways as shown in the old photograph. The stairs will replicate the existing stairs with the lattice work. Ms. Rigoulot asked if the two new doors will match the door on the east side; Ms. Bazylewskyj said the doors on the north and south sides will not have sidelights, which is in keeping with the old photograph. Motion to find the application complete. Moved: Orbeton Seconded: Landry Unanimously approved Motion to find the application in harmony with Historic District standards and grant the Certificate of Appropriateness. Moved: Landry Seconded: Orbeton Unanimously approved 8. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Joe Carey, 15 Middle Street, Map 5 Lot 13. Joseph Carey, 15 Middle Street, presented an application for construction of a one-bay freestanding garage and a three-bay freestanding garage. Mr. Ide pointed out that he received additional information after the packets had been sent out and has placed copies on the desks. Ms. Orbeton asked how the driveway was configured; Mr. Ide explained that the driveway entrance is from Spring Street and pointed it out on the aerial photo. Mr. Carey explained that they have planned additional parking so that vehicles backing out of either garage would back between parking spaces; he added that the position of the garages is roughly where the existing parking is located. The plan for two garages rather than a single large one is driven by set-back requirements and aesthetics. There was discussion of the current use of the house. Mr. Bostwick asked if this proposal met the parking requirements; Mr. Ide said it did. Mr. Carey added that there is planned extra parking for guests. Motion to find the application complete. Moved: Orbeton Seconded: Landry Unanimously approved

3 Planning Board October 17, 2018 Page 3 of 5 Ms. Orbeton inquired about the exterior siding for the garages. Mr. Carey explained that both garages will be sided with materials similar to those on the house. He added that the architect has made an effort to repeat the details of the house in the windows and doors of the garages. Motion to find the application in harmony with Historic District standards and approve the application as presented. Moved: Orbeton Seconded: Feinstein Unanimously approved 9. Approval of Findings of Fact Mr. Ide reminded the Board that last month s agenda was heavy and that he had not prepared draft Findings of Fact ahead of time. He pointed out that Community Housing of Maine s project is funded by the Maine State Housing Authority. Since MSHA is uneasy about the parking standard the Board applied, the language in both the Site Plan and the Findings of Fact Standard 14 has been tweaked to meet MSHA s needs. For the following adoptions, Ms. Rigoulot abstained since she was absent from the September 19, 2018 meeting; Mr. Morrison voted as 1 st Alternate. A. Amendment to Approved Major Subdivision for Mastway Development, Stevens Commons, Map 6 Lot 27 et seq. Board members discussed their approval criteria. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for the amendment to the Major Subdivision for Mastway Development LLC as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Brown Seconded: Landry Unanimously approved B. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Sarah Bigney, 1 Hubbard Lane, Map 5 Lot 81: Construction of an attached wood shed. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Sarah Bigney as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Bostwick Seconded: Brown Unanimously approved C. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Andrea Lapointe, Second Street, Map 9 Lot 143: Relocation of windows and installation of replacement windows. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Andrea Lapointe as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Landry Seconded: Feinstein Unanimously approved, Morrison abstaining D. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for Mad Brew, LLC, 115 Water Street, Map 5 Lots 143 & 144: Construct of a kitchen addition and outdoor dining patio. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for a Certificate of Appropriateness for Mad Brew LLC as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Bostwick Seconded: Brown Unanimously approved E. Site Plan Review, Minor Project for Mad Brew, LLC, 115 Water Street, Map 5 Lots 143 & 144: Construct of kitchen addition and outdoor dining patio. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for a Site Plan Review for Mad Brew LLC as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Brown Seconded: Landry Unanimously approved

4 Planning Board October 17, 2018 Page 4 of 5 F. Site Plan Review, Minor Project for Mastway Development, Stevens Commons, Map 6 Lot 27: Conversion of the existing Stevens Building into twenty-one (21) apartments and kitchen/café space. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for a Site Plan Review for Mastway Development LLC as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Landry Seconded: Brown Unanimously approved G. Amended Site Plan Review, Minor Project, Community Housing of Maine, Stevens Commons, Map 6 Lot 27. Amend parking standard findings to meet the needs of the Applicant s financers. Motion to adopt the Findings of Fact for an amended Site Plan Approval for Mastway Development LLC as prepared by the Code Enforcement Officer. Moved: Landry Seconded: Brown Unanimously approved The Board agreed to hear an unscheduled amendment to an approval granted previously. Certificate of Appropriateness for New Construction in the Historic District for William Chadwick, 15 Spring Street, Map 5 Lot 24 William Chadwick, 15 Spring Street, presented an application for an amendment to the Certificate of Appropriateness which was approved on August 15, Mr. Ide explained that the amendment is to change the existing small double-hung window over the porch roof with an eyebrow window. Mr. Bostwick asked if the proposed window meets safety code; Mr. Ide said that it does. There was brief discussion. Mr. Chadwick explained that the change is largely a privacy issue. Motion to approve the amended design as being in harmony with Historic District standards. Moved: Landry Seconded: Bostwick Unanimously approved 10. Review of a Proposed Amendment to Sec G of the Code of Ordinances to place a limit on the maximum allowable square footage of political signs. The Board discussed a proposal from the City Council to limit the size of political signs. Mr. Ide explained the derivation of the language he has proposed and informed the Board that the City Manager has confirmed that the City can legally restrict the size of political signs. After extensive discussion, the Board agreed by consensus to recommend to the City Council that political signs in the public right-of-way or on public property be limited to six (6) square feet in size. Mr. Ide said he would draft a letter for Ms. Obery to sign. 11. Other Business Mr. Ide informed the Board that he will be on medical leave for at least a month and possibly two or three months. Rick Seymour Jr. is going to be appointed as Deputy/Interim Code Officer. The Town of Manchester is going to take care of plumbing inspections. He himself will be able to do some work from home, but will not be able to come in to the office. Ms. Obery asked the Board for agreement to start its meetings earlier. The Board agreed by consensus to change the meeting time to 6:30. Ms. Orbeton asked Mr. Ide to check on potentially unauthorized construction in the Historic District at a small house on the south side of Union Street between Middle and Warren Street. Ms. Orbeton asked if the retaining wall behind the Dummer House was finished. Mr. Seymour, Clerk of the Works for the Central Street Parking Lot project, reported that the retaining wall is complete by design, but there are questions about alterations to satisfy additional needs. There was discussion about the project. Mr. Ide said he will review the retaining wall to see if it was constructed according to the plan that was approved by the Board. The Board asked Mr. Ide to remind Wendy Larson to come to the Board for approval of any seasonal entryway she installs.

5 Planning Board October 17, 2018 Page 5 of Adjournment Motion to adjourn. Moved: Bostwick Seconded: Feinstein Unanimously approved Accepted as Presented on November 14, 2018, by a vote of 7 Yea to 0 Nay. Attested: S/ Danielle Obery, Chair