DEVELOPMENT REVIEW BOARD June 19, 2007 7:00 PM BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 126 RIVER STREET MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Charles Copp, Chair; Barry Hörst, Vice Chair; Bill Barney; Ron Alderman and Al Ray. NOT PRESENT: Richard Owens and Michael von Ouhl. ALTERNATE BOARD MEMBER NOT PRESENT: Gene Rowley. OTHERS PRESENT: Dan Monks, Zoning Administrator; Ed Bove, Executive Director, RAHC; Gary Corey, Centerline Architects; John Endres, and Robyn Baker, Recording Secretary. Copp called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. 1. Minutes of June 5, 2007. Hrst moved and Barney seconded approval of the minutes of June 5, 2007 as presented. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Interested Persons - Appeal Rights - Reading of witness' oath Monks read the appeal rights and witness oath. 3. Disclosure of Ex parte Communications and Conflicts of Interest None. 4. Alternates - Voting Assignments The five full time Board members who were present were voting. 5. Written Decisions * MacDonald Secor Realty Inc., 150 Depot Street The Board authorized the Chair to sign the written decision. 6.. Regional Affordable Housing Corporation, 302 South Street, the applicant is seeking development plan approval for a new four unit apartment building at 302 South Street. This is the Second hearing for this application. Ed Bove, Executive Director, RAHC addressed the Board. The site plan has been changed to accommodate parking and retain the existing curb cut. The new parking will be in front of the proposed building. The number of spaces will be the same, but they will be able to keep the existing curb cut. This frees the site up, and with one way traffic helps to create a nice walkway. The plan also shows drainage and utilities requested by the Board. Electric will be underground. Drainage is shown, and will flow back toward Highland. It will catch snow and run off from the roof of the new building. There will be two trees in front and some additional shrubs. There will be a small fence along the edge of the grass area to prevent children from falling downhill toward Friendly's. A retaining wall will be cut into the ledge on the east side to accommodate parking spots. Barney asked, but Bove was not sure what the retaining wall will be depending on what they find when they dig. It may be rock if possible. Ray asked, and Bove explained that they will try to utilize the small green space for snow, but otherwise it will need to be removed from the site. Copp asked, and Bove indicated the location of the fence and the retaining wall. They would like to keep the fence open so the neighbor can continue to exit across this property. The buidling has been relocated about three feet to accommodate the swale. Barney asked about the use for the fence. It was to protect the neighbor's fence from snow damage. Bove would rather not build the fence. There is about 100 feet from the road to the retaining wall. The abutter explained that she was happy not having any kind of fence. Hrst felt that they requested fence because parking was the other way and head lights might have been an issue. Now that has changed. Ray asked and Bove explained that there will be two new concrete steps to get up to building grade. Bove explained that they tried to follow the Bylaws and create the best looking building within their budget. Their agenc only gets money to build units, not basements, porches, etc. The reason not to have a front porch was because rental porches are frequently cluttered and difficult to maintain. They have eliminated the solar feature as well. They tried to emulate other area buildings with front entry ways. They have also added detail to the windows, six over six, thinned the siding and added corner boards to give the building a more historic feel. Hrst commended the improved appearance. Hrst asked, and Bove indicated vent in center above second story. The building will be white with a traditional RAHC navy blue door. Hrst moved to close the hearing for deliberation. Ray seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 7. Bennington Project Independence, 614 Harwood Hill, the applicant is seeking development plan approval for an adult day care facility at 614 Harwood Hill. First of two required hearings. Gary Corey, Centerline Architects and Linda and Pam Santarcangelo, BPI, John, MSK Engineering presented the project. Old farm on Harwood Hill. Reuse existing house and barn and bringing together for adult day care that BPI runs. Trying to save historic structures, create facility with single level floor plan. Fairly sleep slope to the north. Existing barn, moveing closer to the house, further from the road, and connecting to the house. Access from north side with parking areas in front, loop around to drop off area. Parking for staff on top of the hill. Handicapped parking closer to the building. Met with state on project access, application in to state. Needs additional information, not yet approved. Additional light fixture for sign, and water testing included in packet also. Curbs will be concrete. Changed security light on back of building, were on peak, but they have lowered to wall lights. There is heavy vegetation to separate the two properties. Added fence around dumpster area. Update on traffic counts, initially did not have the meals on wheels program included. Traffic count increased about 18 trips. Alderman asked about the roof, grey metal. Barney asked about the color scheme, barn red, house white. New additions will also be red. Hrst asked about the dual entrance, couldn't come in with single? Difference in elevation. Trying to keep driveway slopes less than 10%. Setting grades between 8-10 %. Ray asked about the location map, which is difficult to read once shrunken. Barney asked, and Corey explained that they would get rid of the block building. Copp asked if the security lights - yes they will be on motion sensor. Barney asked if they would be storing salt for parking. Corey felt that they might need some for walks, etc. Shed for storing vans, yard equipment, etc. Ray asked about traffic, state requirements for signage, etc. Corey explained that there are specific requirements, and they should not need a traffic study based on their preliminary numbers. Site distances are adequate in both directions. Hrst asked, and Corey noted that they white areas indicated were for plantings. Trying to extend feel of the orchard. Copp asked about access drive not indicated on all drawings. Corey indicated the location of the access drive to the property in the rear. Please include. Assuming right of way is deeded, will check into. Ray asked, and Corey indicated that they changed to a gooseneck light that will shine down on the sides. Copp asked about light posts in the parking, they need to be 16 feet. Light posts on photometrics will have to agree with light posts on the site plan. Monks explained that it is the mounting height that matters, not the total pole height. Ray asked and Monks explained that the Board could approve the four year phasing schedule. John reviewed utilities. Existing water line, hydrant across street. Ten inch main. New water line along 7A, stub out in front of existing house, come in with service entrance, add hydrant next to building. Now water supply for old orchard, barn and house is a drilled well, indicated location. Not sure if it is able to supply water at this time. Also a well for the property in the rear. Indicated location. Existing sewer line to the property, deeded easement, manholes location indicated, ends behind Hunters restaurant, fairly new line 8" diameter PVC. Proposing to come out of building in new location, new manhole, new line. Not sure hof condition of existing line. Might need grease trap depending on Meals on Wheels program. No state reqauirement for storm water, but complying with requirements. Series of catch basins in street, indicated location, add two more to catch water and prevent from flowing over access drives. Drainage ditch flows across the property. Within property series of catch basins obvious flow areas. Trying to pick up stosrm water that lands on new pavement and lfowing towards Bolio property, with combination of drop inlets and a curtain drain that will follow the path of the drain line underneath it. Surface sand filter. Diagram, underground pipe, surrounded by stone, shallow swale, coarse sand, Filtering, then into pipe then flow 100 -1150 feet across vegetation. Clean storm water, and pond is eventual target. Silt fence, erosion control notes submitted. Water and sewer profiles fairly standard. Silt fence surrounding entire property. Power overhead to pole off of route 7 to area indicated. May be overhead or underground, mimght be a budget issue. All parking and driving area paved. Corey explained that they might put an alternate into the bid documents, pave part and gravel part. Should not affect drainage, just require more maintenance. Barney asked Entrance will be blacktopped. Phasing, Corey explained connector, moving barn, second phase will be addition to house more activity space. Parking in first phase. Garden in back, patio areas, some in later phase. Copp asked that visual scales be included on all plans. Corey explained that they would like to take tree out of landscape plan. Minimal along road way, historically an old farm stead would not have ...elms to frame barn might have occurred historically. Eight trees along road instead of nine. Overabundance in number of trees. Whole new set of drawings for next time. Revised plan ten days before hearing July 3. No objection to missing tree on preliminary approval. Hrst moved to grant preliminary approval as requested. Alderman seconded. The motion passed unanimously. 8. Other Business As there was no other business, Hrst moved to adjourn at 7:45. Rayy seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Robyn Baker Minutes Secretary