2017-01-26-ZBA-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOA Meeting January 26, 2017 plowing will not be allowed to go further than the road to minimize sediment loading into wetland areas. The supplemental planting and vegetative filter strips will also improve the situation. A Board Member, Ms. Martha C. Wood, asked the applicant about what they will be doing regarding the knoll and trees on the property (the plan is to maintain the trees that are within the 100ft buffer zone. The plantings removed due to roadwork will be put back into other areas closer to the resource area). Ms. Wood expressed concern about losing the large trees (Mr. Dominico explained that the original proposed plan initially showed more parking spaces and more trees to be removed. They have since revised the plan to reduce the impact. They will be planting additional native species along the stream and are trying to mitigate it with the other improvements. A Board Member, Mr. Nyles N. Barnert, stated he is concerned about the resulting traffic due to the increase in parking spaces. The traffic management plan provided by the applicant shows they met the requirements from 2009 but it was based on data received 3 years ago. Going forward, there should be a cap on the number of parking spaces and it should be added as a condition. A Board Member, Mr. David G. Williams, asked the applicant if there is a provision to allow the general public to park near the trail head (yes, the trail head is still on the site. In 2009, there were 4 spaces specified for that. The signage for the parking spaces are in front of the spaces themselves but there is not signage directing visitors to go back there. The spaces are restricted to certain hours and to be used only for visitors accessing the trail head). Mr. Williams expressed concern with the amount of trees being removed to put in parking spaces. Mr. Williams asked how the stream is currently maintained in the area (the landscape architect will be adding in planting to keep the same look that is currently there). The Chairwoman, Ms. Jeanne K. Krieger, expressed concern about the number of trees that will be coming down. Mr. Dominico asked if it would be helpful to supplement the existing landscape plan to plant additional trees along the area of parking. Mr. Hartnett stated that when they walked the site, they indicated they can plant larger trees along the area. Mr. Williams stated it would take a significant amount of time to replace the large oak trees there. Mr. Williams asked if the chiller can be moved to a different location if it breaks (it serves the entire building and they wouldn’t be able to move to a new location). Mr. Williams asked if there is anything they can do to reduce the reduction of the knoll (they are saving 25-30% of it within the buffer area). Mr. Barnert asked if the plan is to build out everything before they promote to prospective tenants (Yes). Ms. Krieger stated that the Board can’t force them to go back to Town Meeting and have them put cap on the number of parking spaces but they could add a condition to the decision. 3