6 November, 2014
On Wednesday, November 6th, the Board of Appeals met to discuss the FY2016 Budget, Lake Shore Drive, and Hopkinton Mews.
First, the board discussed the upcoming budget as part of their administrative items. While a few ideas were proposed to use the FY2016 funds, the idea that gained the most traction was to obtain iPads for the board members. Board member Ms. Clark expressed concern at all of the paper generated over the course of all of the ZBA hearings. Ms. Lazarus and Ms. Wright encouraged the idea, offering information to the board on how the transition from paper to electronic documents would work. The board seemed encouraged by the suggestion, and moved to request iPads in future budget talks.
The board then opened their public hearings, beginning with 25 Lake Shore Drive. Karen DeWolfe spoke before the board, informing them that at their last hearing, there had been a miscommunication as to their proposed project. Previously, the board had approved additions to the existing structure at the property. DeWolfe clarified that rather than adding to the existing building, their actual intention was to demolish the building and build a new structure with the same footprint as the old structure. The board approved an amendment to their earlier decision, giving DeWolfe permission to demolish and rebuild on the property instead of adding to the house that stands there currently.
Then, the board opened up the hearing for Lumber St (Hopkinton Mews). The hearing was halted at the realization that, given the additional units being proposed, there would have to be a new advertisement put out for any potential abutters. Vice Chair Mr. Peirce expressed particular concern for abutters who might object to the additional units.
However, with the necessity of a new advertisement came the realization that Mews could not move forward with any hearings concerning the additional units. Ms. Horwitz, legal representative of Mews, echoed the lament of the board at having to push back the hearings even further, but both Mews and ZBA acknowledged that it was necessary.
Knowing that they could not discuss any items pertaining to the additional units, the board instead heard updated plans for storm water management, which, in fact, changed very little. The plans meet all ten MA DEP guidelines for storm water management. All water will be collected in catch basins; half of the basins were upsized since the last time ZBA heard storm water plans. The infrastructure layout is almost identical; the representative from Hopkinton Mews said that since the first hearing, they had worked more closely with the conservation commission. With their guidance, Mews had developed a plan for removal of silt and sediment at the bottom of the retention basins. The only concern raised at the new plans was the new location of the open catch basin. This proposed basin is set farther away from the project than the previously proposed basin. There was concern that this would be especially inviting for children to play in. The Mews representative assured the board that even if children were enticed to play in the water, the slope into the basin would not be significant, and the odds of someone falling in would be slim.
Given the time required for abutters to see the new notice, any new hearings for Hopkinton Mews would begin again in December.
The next ZBA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th, at 7:00 p.m.
