East Longmeadow Planning Board

Minutes of November 14, 2006

Present were: Louis Calabrese, Chair; Marilyn Richards, Vice Chair; Donald Anderson, Clerk, Michael Przybylowicz and Thomas Morrissette.

Spoleto’s

Bill Collins, Manager of Spoleto’s requested that the Board allow temporary signage and flags for Spoleto’s Restaurant. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board unanimously voted (5-0) to allow the flags and the signs for 2 weeks. Mr. Collins thanked the members and assured them that he would adhere to the time limit.

Miscellaneous

Walgreen

Ms. Richards asked if the Board has heard anything about the Walgreen’s sign. Ms. Macdonald said nothing to date. Mr. Przybylowicz asked still nothing about the sidewalk or the report on the number of high use generators and the side of the building where the block is behind the Walgreen’s’ signs. He said so there are 4 things that are outstanding for at least 12 months, so they failed so many times. Ms. Richards said point well taken.

Ron Cutler

Mr. Anderson read a letter of apology from Ron Cutler about his statement he made at the town meeting during the Lowe’s issue that could have been taken as an insult to the integrity of the Board in his efforts to stop the Lowe’s project.

Holiday Business Breakfast

Ms. Macdonald asked the Board if they were interested in the Holiday Business Breakfast at Elmcrest Country Club for the Chamber of Commerce on December 1^st.

Doggie Daycare

Ms. Macdonald explained that Lori Curley, owner of the Doggie Daycare on Baldwin Street is applying before the Monson Planning Board for a dog day care. She said that she requested that the Board, because of her good business history in town, provide her with a written recommendation for going before the Monson Planning Board for a Special Permit. Ms. Macdonald prepared a letter and asked Mr. Calabrese if he would sign it. The Board did not have an issue with the letter voted to sign and Mr. Calabrese signed it.

Zoning Enforcement

Ms. Macdonald said that she spoke with Jim Donahue about zoning enforcement and recommends that the Board go forward in making the change of having the zoning enforcement under the authority of the Planning Board. She said however that there are some procedural issues that they need to go through. The first one is that they need to go the Board of Selectmen because if they are not behind the request, they will oppose the request at town meeting. She said the letter she wrote to Jim Donahue was shared with the Building Inspector by Attorney Donahue. Dan Hellyer, Building Inspector told Ms. Macdonald that he believes they do need a zoning person, however once it is done the Board is going to have to put together a job description for a Zoning Officer.

Also, the Board must find out what repercussions the change will have on the Building Inspector’s position because that position’s pay is half for zoning enforcement and half for building inspector. Mr. Morrissette said that it wasn’t the Boards’ problem – he was more interested in having the zoning by-laws enforced. Mr. Anderson said that he didn’t have an issue with the Building Inspector doing a degree of zoning enforcement as far as what he does in his work. He thinks when it comes to overall zoning by-laws they can create a position in that area.

Ms. Macdonald advised the Board that there were several violators of the sign by-laws and that every Saturday Theater Extreme puts signs on Shaker Road and just like Jiffy Lube they had one of those huge big signs up again regardless of the warnings of violation. Ms. Macdonald told the Board that the manager of Jiffy Lube told her he was told by the zoning enforcement officer that it’s okay to have the sign up because they only do it every Tuesday. She explained to him that it wasn’t right and if it was something they want to do they need go before the Planning Board to request additional signage.

Ms. Macdonald said that nothing is being done and the Planning Board is being blamed for it. Ms. Richards asked if everyone was in agreement in trying to move forward with trying to change the structure of the position. Mr. Calabrese thought they were in agreement about it years ago. Upon further discussion the Board agreed to lobby for a new position of a zoning enforcement officer that falls under the Planning Board.

Apple Blossom Lane

Ms. Macdonald asked the Board if they received the copy of the letter she sent to Mark Beglane over the Apple Blossom Lane problem with the water meter pits. She explained that someone from DPW thought that the street was public, however, since it is private, the meter pits cannot be on privately owned property Dave Gromaski was not happy when he reviewed the plan. She said 100 feet of pipe has already been laid so they’ve agreed that the meter pit will be at that spot, and they are getting an easement from the owners to be able to have access to the meters. There is also a meter at Orchard Road that will service the back portion of the property. Ms. Macdonald advised the Board that the issues have been resolved and she is expecting an amendment sheet to the plan showing the meter pits at the proper location.

Informal discussion Amy St. Germain – Use of downstairs

Ms. St. Germain said that she originally had a problem with parking with the Union Hall. She said that she currently doesn’t have the problem now, they seem to be pretty accommodating and no-one is making a big stink about the parking or driving through. She said they have come to agreement and she tried to think of a way because they had originally said they were going to put pylons up the middle of the driveway. She said that she tried to think of a way to have access onto the property from White Avenue but doesn’t think that is an issue anymore so what she would like to do is to be able to use the space in the building. She said that there is a certain amount of space that’s empty because they weren’t able to use because they didn’t have the correct number of parking spaces. Ms. St. Germain said that she would like to be able to use it not as a tenant space but as space for their lab tech who is basically working out of the closet to give him more space and they would also like to make it handicap accessible because it isdifficult for their patients to get up the hill and come around from the handicap spot they have now. She would like to add a handicap parking space at the bottom and add handicap access down stairs with 1 chair downstairs to allow her handicapped patients to be treated and then expand the lab they have now, some storage space and an employee lounge.

Ms. Richards asked if she was just reconfiguring what she already is doing? Ms. St. Germain said right. Mr. Morrissette said that she would be adding square footage that she doesn’t have the parking spaces to cover for. Ms. Macdonald added that Ms. St. Germain is taking the 1 chair upstairs and putting it downstairs for the handicap so she is not adding more chairs. Ms. St. Germain said that she was going to add a chair but she can’t be upstairs and downstairs at the same time so she would be able to fill them at the same time and it wouldn’t be anymore patient load, it would be a tenant space, it would be the same amount of employees that she currently has now so nothing would change except for that they could use the space that they are paying for.

Ms. Richards asked how many spaces they are allotted for right now. Ms. St. Germain said 13 spaces total and 3 of them they share with the Union Hall right now and she thought maybe they could add a couple of spaces against the back of the building that are not there currently. Mr. Przybylowicz asked her if she had enough spaces now for her needs. Ms. St. Germain said yes with the 13 spaces they have enough and they really haven’t had any problems and the Union Hall has signs up posting “no dental office parking”. She said what she is worried about is the existing berm would have to be moved a couple of feet back in order to have the turn around and there are large trees in that area. Ms. Richards asked Ms. Macdonald if the numbers of spaces they currently have meets the 5 per thousand square feet. Ms. Richards asked if she was going to be utilizing half of the basement. Ms. St. Germain pointed out on a plan where they currently utilize and said that she was talking Ms. Macdonald about it and a lot of it is storage and utility space which really isn’t office space and doesn’t know if that square footage could be deducted from the square footage requirements.

Ms. Macdonald added that Ms. St. Germain said that part of the area downstairs is just going to be used as a break room for the staff to have lunch and the rest for storage. Ms. Richards said that there are a number of uses in town that have basements that provide for internal use and if Ms. St. Germain is not increasing the impact of what she is doing that location maybe the Board could some how vary it. Mr. Morrissette asked how do you vary it without varying it, he doesn’t know how it could be done because it is what it is. Mr. Anderson said that he supports it, just needs to know how the board can do it.

Ms. Macdonald said that she had mentioned to Ms. St. Germain that storage is 1 space per 3,000 thousand square feet and asked Ms. St. Germain if she calculated it. Ms. St. Germain said she calculated for the storage alone was approximately 600 square feet and the staff lounge would be about a couple of hundred square feet. Ms. Richards asked how many parking spaces they are talking about. Ms. St. Germain said currently they have 13 spaces they need 6 more for a total of 19 spaces. Ms. Macdoanld asked if the previous business use the downstairs. Mr. Morrissette said yes he used to work there.

Ms. Macdonald asked if it was considered a pre-existing non-conforming parking lot if they were already using the downstairs as office space and only had 13 spaces to their use prior to the purchase from Ms. St. Germain are we looking at pre-existing non-confirming parking area? Mr. Morrissette asked if originally she came in for a site plan review? Ms. Macdonald said she thought it was a waiver of site plan review because it was an existing building and would be happy to look into the history. The Board agreed to do more research on the history of the site.

Request for Waivers of Site Plan Review – 94 & 96 Shaker

Field, Eddy & Bulklely and Hampden County Physician Associates, LLC

Andrew Henshon, Pearson Systems introduced the owners as well as the tenants of the project, Sam Hanmer, CEO and Al Ogoley, Hampden County Physician’s. Mr. Henshon said that they are requesting 2 waivers. He explained that relocating 1 business from down town Springfield that is tremendously growing and bringing a number of new jobs to East Longmeadow and the same is actually for both businesses. He said that they were there to answer any questions that the Board might have.

Mr. Morrissette asked if they were moving the Hampden County Physicians from the other building in East Longmeadow. Mr. Henshon said yes.

Mr. Calabrese asked if the current location was in the LaPlante office building? Mr.

Morrissette said no that it was in the Pearson building behind LaPlante’s. Mr. Morrissette asked how many square feet each business was taking? Mr. Henshon said that Field, Eddie & Bulkley would be using about 11,000 square feet and Hampden County somewhere between 11,000 to 13,000 square.

Mr. Przybylowicz asked how many people does each business currently employ and how many does it hope to employ in the new location? Mr. Hanmer said that they currently have about 72 employees and 5 locations and they are actually in East Longmeadow now under the name of Meadows Insurance Agency, in Springfield Field, Eddy & Bulkley; Curtis Insurance Agency in Monson; Remillard in South Hadley and Your Choice Agency in Ludlow. He said that they would be moving a fair amount (not all of their staff) but most of their administrative staff from downtown Springfield. Mr. Przybylowicz asked if 72 employees and will they be transferred to East Longmeadow. Mr. Hanmer said that 72 is total so up here because we would move Meadows into this location and move a whole bunch of administrative staff from Field, Eddy and he is figuring it would be in the vicinity of 40 people and the office hours will be 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Mr. Ogoley from Hampden County Physicians said that they were actually moving 2 of their East Longmeadow Offices, 1 at 294 North Main Street and the other at Dr. Unger’s office at 382 North Main Street. He is a single physician they want to move both groups into the Shaker Road facility and have space for some moderate growth in the future possibly 1 to 2 physicians. Mr. Przybylowicz asked with adminstatrtive staff how many did he guess? Mr. Ogoley said that they were probably in the 20 to 25 staff, probably 30 with physicians. Mr. Przybylowicz asked if they would maintain the typical business hours. Mr. Ogoley said yes.

Mr. Morrissette asked if they were moving the walk- in-clinic part at 294 North Main Street. Mr. Henshon said that they are primary care physicians. Mr. Ogoley said most of that walk-in business is our business from other sites that the physicians, for instance if Dr. Leone in Wilbraham couldn’t see a patient that day and the patient had the flu or something and it was somebody that they wanted to see they would be sent over to East Longmeadow to walk-in. Ms. Richards and so that is a urgent care visit. Mr. Ogoley the great majority of it. Mr. Morrissette said that he thought it was a walk-in clinic, that moved from 382 North Main Street along with Hampden County Physicians over to 294 North Main Street. Mr. Ogoley said you could walk-in and be seen there and they have a couple other sites the same way that they just want to be able to see their patients when they don’t have a an appointment and that’s the main reason.

Ms. Richards reiterated that it is a group of primary care physicians seeing individual patients, is the facility going to dedicate itself to any advanced procedures or would then utilize hospitals, would you be doing minor surgery on site. Mr. Ogoley said no anything that would require a ER visit they would send them to the ER.

Mr. Anderson asked Mr. Hanmer basically they are the down town office to East Longmeadow and terms of square foot is the East Longmeadow office going to be the same size or bigger? Mr. Hanmer said between the 2 locations it actually is going to be less space in East Longmeadow. He said currently they are on 3 floors in Springfield and the East Longmeadow office will be a lot easier to manage on 1 floor. Mr. Anderson asked if there will be other tenants with the other 2 tenants and they alluded to a bank. Mr. Henshon said that was all they anticipate.

Upon motion duly made and seconded voted unanimously (5-0) to approve both waivers, for Hampden County Physicians Associates and Field Eddy & Bulkley, Inc. and any signage will have to be brought back for approval by the Board.

ANR – Pembroke Terrace

The Board reviewed an ANR submitted by Dan Roulier & Associates for Phase X Lot 14, 133 Pembroke Terrace to create a new lot to be lot X-14 R, consisting of 495,184 square feet. Said parcel has the proper frontage, area and depth required by the East Longmeadow Zoning By-Law and fronts on a public way, namely Pembroke Terrace.

After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the ANR.

ANR – Maplehurst

The Board reviewed an ANR submitted by Michael Robie for Maplehurst Avenue to create new parcel 3 which is not a building lot as it only contains 6,000 square feet; lot 2 which contains 11,000 square feet and Lot 1 which contains 10,000 square feet. The endorsement was granted because a statement is placed on the plan making it clear that parcel 3 is not available for the site of building, nor will it ever qualify as a building lot.

After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the ANR.

ANR – Mountainview Road

Ms. Macdonald said that this ANR was approved by the Board however the people could not come to an agreement with the cost so they have made it smaller .

The plan creates the revision of two lots – 18 A and 18 B. Lot 18B is being transferred from Brownlee to Lucas to be combined with Lot 24, owned by Lucas, to form one contiguous lot with approximately 48,228 square feet, leaving Lot 18A containing approximately 33,959 square feet, with proper frontage on Mountainview Road, as required by the East Longmeadow Zoning By-Laws.

After discussion and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to approve the ANR.

Request for Signage – 613 North Main Street - Van Le’s Hair & Nails

The Board reviewed the sign and application submitted by Stephanie Le for Le’s Hair and Nails the Board determined that the approval was pending on the correct paper work being submitted.

Tyler Equipment

Ms. Macdonald told the Board that Tyler Equipment was looking for a signage approval and she suggested that they come in and talk to the Board because she wasn’t sure what they wanted to do and couldn’t get any information from the Building Inspector.

Human Resource Position

Ms. Macdonald asked the Board how they felt about a human resource position in town. Mr. Anderson said he had to pick one extra position he would rather have an zoning officer than a human resource position. He asked who’s budget would it be under and which Board would have authority. Ms. Macdonald said Board of Selectmen and it would be an Human Resource Person to go to for insurance questions and it would a part time position and it would benefit the schools. Upon further discussion the Board thought it would be a good idea for having a person in that capacity might provide a valuable service to our town and they would be interested in investigating the position.

Release of Covenant - Roosevelt Hill, LLC

Ms. Macdonald presented the Board with a Request for Release of Covenant for Roosevelt Hill, LLC in lieu of a cash bond with the Town of East Longmeadow in the amount of Seventy Six Thousand Five Hundred Eighty-Four and 00/100 Dollars ($76,584.00).

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to release the covenant in lieu of bond.

Partial Release of Bond – Halon Estates

Ms. Macdonald presented the Board with a Request for Partial Release of Cash Bond from the Halon Estates Bond in the amount of Forty Two Thousand Six Hundred Twenty-three and 20/100 Dollars ($42,623.20). The Town of East Longmeadow will continue to hold Fifty Seven Thousand Three Hundred Seventy-Six and 80/100 Dollars ($57,376.80) in escrow until the project is completed.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to partially release the same amount.

Full Release of Bond – Glynn Farms Extension

Ms. Macdonald presented the Board with documentation to release in full the bond being held on this subdivision. The street was taken by the town at the last town meeting and now the money is to be returned to the developer. Therefore, upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously, (5-0) to release the bond in full because it has been accepted as town street.

Full Release of Bond – Dear Park Drive

Full Release of Bond – Great Woods Phase IX – Rockingham Circle

Full Release of Bond – Great Woods Phase VII – Canterbury Circle

Full Release of Bond – Great Woods Phase VI – Abbey Lane

Full Release of Bond – Great Woods Phase X – Pembroke Terrace &

Rockingham Circle

Full Release of Bond – Great Woods Phase IV – Canterbury Circle

Romito’s, 21 North Main Street – Temporary Signage

Ms. Macdonald said the Rose Marie Romito would like put up a temporary sign for her Bistro however she is not sure what size the Board would allow.

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to allow a temporary sign at 21 North Main Street for a period of not more than 30 days. The sign cannot be more than ten (10) square feet and cannot be placed on town property.

Pearson Systems, 94 Shaker Road

The Board endorsed the Site Plan for Pearsons Systems, 94 Shaker Road which plan was previously approved.

Request for Waiver of Site Plan Review – Meadowbrook, Mountainview and Mapleshade Schools

Ms. Macdonald said that a request for wavier of site plan review has been submitted by the schools and she recommends that the Board require the full site plan review fro the temporary structures at all 3 schools, Meadowbrook, Mountainview and Mapleshade. She said that they would cause drainage issues and parking issues that need to be addressed. The Board agreed that a site plan should be required.

Minutes

The Board reviewed the minutes of October 3, 2006 and upon motion duly made and seconded, voted unanimously (5-0) to approve them, with edits.

Request for withdrawal for Tamarack Drive ANR

Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted unanimously (5-0) to allow the withdrawal of the ANR for Tamarack Drive without prejudice.

Therefore, with no further business and upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to close the meeting at 9:45 p.m.

Very truly yours,

Donald J. Anderson, Clerk