1985-11-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes of November 4, 1985 Page 3 recommends the sidewalk be built right along the side of the wall, and the wall and step details should be approved by them. The Fire Department requested an additional hydrant be placed about halfway up proposed street. The Board of Health had no comments. Ms. Rawski questioned the excessive height of the retaining walls (seven to ten feet high in places). She recommended limiting the height of the wall to five feet and terracing the rest, or using a stepped retaining wall. Joyce Miller, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, asked where the conser- vation easement was shown on the plan. Mr. Ogren pointed to it and commented that the steepness of the site necessitated the use of steps off the cul de sac as access to the Conservation land. Janis Colangelo, of 38 East Emerson Road, was concerned about the height of the walls, and asked about the location of the sidewalk. Mr. Ogren answered there was no sidewalk or wall on her side of the street. Stephen Colangelo reported that grades have already been altered before the subdivision has been approved. Shirley Byrne also questioned the excavation work being done before the plan was approved. Mrs. Smith said whatever had been going on in that area has been stopped, and no road construction will be done till the subdivision has been approved. Charlotte Poulen, of 155 East Emerson Road, asked what happened if the walls fell down after a number of years. Mr. Bowyer responded the Town has a big stake in ensuring the walls and grades are installed to Town standards, since the Town may have to maintain them eventually. In response to a question from Mr. Sorensen, Mr. Ogren added that the retaining walls are not on both sides in the same section of the street. In response to a question from Mrs. Miller about the steep access into the area, he said there was no better access into the into the site. Mrs. Bryne wished to be recorded as strongly opposing the application because the developer had disturbed the site before the plan had been approved. Mrs. Flemings returned to the hearing at this point. Mr. Freeman presented a letter to the Board requesting an extension of time for action until November 29, 1985. On the motion of Mr. Sorensen, seconded by Mr. Cripps, it was voted unanimously to grant the extension until November 29, 1985. Mrs. Smith suggested the developer meet with the Engineering Department to dis- cuss the Town's standards for walls. Mr. Ogren asked if the Board would consider waiving the 8% road grade limit in favor of a 9 or 10% grade. Mr. Sorensen felt that since the road faced north and was the only access, he would be against allowing any grade greater than 8%. Mrs. Smith agreed. Mr. Bowyer added that the Engineering Department is properly concerned with side treatment and feels that it can be handled satifactorily without permitting a grade of 9 or 10%. Mr. Cripps was also in favor of the 8% grade limit. An informal poll of the Board found them unanimously in favor of limiting the road grade to 8%.