001[Music] Good evening. It's welcome to the planning board meeting of September 16th, 2025. This meeting is being recorded. Uh the first uh order of business is the uh minutes of the last meeting. Motion to approve. I'll second that. It's been moved and seconded to approve the minutes of the last meeting. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> Post unanimous of four. Uh we got no no 81p plans. Uh got a couple of minutes. Uh you can we sneak uh 284 West Street in? >> Sure. Gentlemen, do you mind introducing yourselves just so I can get it for the minutes? >> Steve Antarelli. Okay. Operator We're we get we're LLC, so we're part owner. And >> I'm Matthew Bartlett. >> T M A N Properties Lency. >> Yes. So, we have the easel
002here on the hot cockpit versus the electronic on the screen. Close sight glasses. That's something new. All right. Good evening. Thank you. My name for the record is Mike Dean with DNL Design Group here representing T-Man Properties LLC. Their address is 293 West Street, Milford, Mass. Project, as you had just mentioned, is 284 West Street. The former Tradesman, I think we're somewhat familiar with that site, and it's been a tavern for decades, and the building had caught on fire and has since been raised. In front of the planning board tonight is an amended site plan approval. This is following the granting of a special permit from the ZBA for the proposed use as a contractor's yard which is allowed by special permit. That's why the site had to go through ZBA. planning board has seen
003the project not that long ago through that ZBA process where they had to prepare the uh recommendation to the ZBA which was a favorable recommendation. So the project consists of a 36,599 square ft lot shown here 284 West Street. West Street is shown here, Fisk Mill Road located there. As mentioned, the site has been previously developed and the structure was demolished following catching the fire. We'll be utilizing the existing septic system which is shown in the back portion of the site that's existing and the existing wells shown up in this area here. So, we will be utilizing those two components that exist. Now, the proposal is for the contractor's yard of a 4,750 ft building shown here. The dimensions are 95 by 50 wide here. You can see that there's proposed parking along the front,
00412 spaces along the front here, adequate access in and around the building. This plan was revised today adding the signage along the southern portion of the parkin and property line in the general area here that was requested by the fire department. That signage and no parking no parking fire lanes and signage demar demarcation and signage along this area here to prevent parking so they can have access around the building. And that was a request of the fire department. The improvements associated with the redevelopment consist of closing the open the open uh park the open curb cuts along West Street. Just if you flip this around, this is the existing condition just quickly to show you what's there now. So you have the this openness or open curb cuts along here existing pavement and that's where
005the existing building was located in the lighter color there. So back around, you'll see that the proposal now is to close that, add green space up in the front area with the proposed landscape and meeting the the town zoning requirements for the landscaping. And then a curb cut located in here, better defined and set up across the street from the existing driveway setup. from the existing driveway across the street shown here. There will be there will be some storm water added to the site along here, but this will be following under the redevelopment under the wetlands protection act redevelopment and we do have to fire with conservation as well. There's a wetland system shown here and the 100 foot buffer zone shown here. So that work within that 100 foot buffer, we have to file
006a notice of intent with conservation. The numbers this this actually decreases impervious and pavement creating the the green space up in the front reducing impervious areas by 4,382 square ft. The actual pavement because of the difference in buildings and square footage, the decrease in pavement is over 5,000 square ft. Once again intro introducing a storm water first flush forbay here which will capture the runoff from the pavement. The site drains generally from north is up the page from north to south. There's auto body there's an auto body shop adjacent to it. traffic flow should the traffic flow and patterns should be improved by this tightening of the curb cuts along the front. >> And with that, I turn it back over to the board. >> Thank you. Matt, you want to go over your uh
007comments? >> So, specifically, the applicant proposes a redevelopment of the site the former tradesman tavern that was raised to be destroyed by a fire in 2021. Mr. Dan already said to construct a 50 by95 warehouse and office building associated parking on the subject property driveway and access along 140 frontage reflect the previously approved configuration results in only one driveway with the restoration of remaining frontage to a curved landscape buffer as shown on the plan. Proposal's net decrease in impervious surface and improve storm water runoff. Uh adequate off- streetet parking is provided. All other zoning requirements appear to be met. I said a planning board should consider to what extent the plan addresses the following conditions which are right out of the zoning bylaw. And if you want I could go through each of these and
008we could comment on them as we go. >> Are there any that uh in in conflict with the zoning bylaw or they >> I don't think so. But um tell you what I'll read them and if someone wants to hold it then we'll come back to it. uh internal circulation and egress are such are such safety is protected and access via minor streets servicing single family homes is minimized. Visibility of parking areas from public ways is minimized. Adequate access to each structure for fire and service equipment is provided. Utilities and drainage for the land which site plan review is sought will be adequate and fire provisions meeting all applicable regulations are provided. Major topographical changes or removal of existing trees are minimized. There's really none to work with there. Uh in abuing or existing residential
009streets, effective use is made of topography, landscaping, and building placement to maintain to the degree feasible the character of the neighborhood and lighting of parking areas avoid glare onto adjoining properties. You don't have any concerns with any of those. >> Could you talk about lighting real quick? Is there going to be lighting? >> Uh yes. The plan, the wall pack, the lights are typical, which would then under this approval would not be able to place in, you know, the light bulbs all the way around. No light bulbs proposed. >> Correct. >> Yes. >> Um, so the board satisfied with the above criteria met previously met on the original site plan approval. I recommend favorable action on this project for the contractor yard at 284 West Street. Uh I got a couple comments. Town engineer is
010not uh is under the weather a little bit. So uh warehousing should be admitted from the building. >> Okay. >> Uh ballards for the transformer and a baller detail should be put in. There is a detail for a concrete walk or a ramp, but it's not on there. So, didn't know didn't know if there was a reason for it. >> And are you going to repair the uh the entire lot, the paving the entire lot? >> Yes, the entire lot has to be pulled up and reshaped. Okay. >> And that's shown in in great in pretty good detail in the in the uh grading plan. And the the parking calculation is plenty but for four officers in six bays is >> yes the park in is on the cover sheet >> and that is based
011on employees and the uh the overhead door scenario. >> Okay. And the other thing was a roof drain detail. >> Roof drain detail. I don't believe I have one. I Yeah, I'll add that. >> That's all from there. >> Any questions from the boards? >> No. The only thing I had a comment on was just with planting up front. Just making sure because I believe that curves away so that if you're taking a right, you're looking back behind you. So I want to just make sure that your site distance is not impinged by the landscaping in that front area. >> Um yes. So lot of landscaping actually put together this plan and they they pulled the trees further this way and this is all low low shrubs that were proposed but it should be it
012should be fine. Okay. I guess on that lines looks like there's just a small proposed sign right at the entry. So it's not going to be along the street in in the middle in sense in the middle of the property. That's the the intention to keep it that way. >> Yeah. It's set back a little bit. >> Yeah. >> Sure. >> We've had others that have come in I think right have said oh after the fact and realized that they wanted it more front and center. >> We've also had others that put them in the state the highway layout and have to come back to come back. >> Yes. Yeah. So, so we tried to pull that back for that issue of pulling out and visibility pulling out, not for their sign. >> Y in
013a sense, you're you're good with the sign location. That's why I bring it up. You know, just if we're thinking of moving it to the center and closer to the street, let's >> take care of that now. But if you're good with it being off the street and where it is, which I have no problem with, just we're good there. >> Okay. the uh the comments from the fire department or about the uh no parking in the fire lane. You took care of took care of that. >> The water company had no comments, but there's no water. So, >> and there's no sewer. So, >> no problem there. So, >> one more quick question about the site plan. I'm assuming you're looking at just a steel building kind of. >> Correct. >> But we see
014other contractors around but it's >> Yep. We're going to do a steel building. >> It'll look nice. Yeah. Excellent. Look good. >> It's the pleasure of the board. >> Questions, Mr. >> Yes. >> Um, does this board typically do construction hours for site review? >> On a normally something like this, we wouldn't. If it was a huge if it was a huge project with uh housing around it, we then we would do something like that. But normally for a project this size, >> okay, >> we wouldn't uh and especially there's no houses, >> nothing there. Yeah, just >> raccoons. I recommend three conditions if you're not considering any. Um the applicant abide by all approvals and conditions for state agencies are the town boards, departments, and commissions is one. Second being the project should be
015developed in accordance with the approved plan. And the third being the applicant should submit a 24x36 asbuilt plan to the planning board once construction is completed. 23. >> Well, the only other condition we have right now is is we need the we need the plan update. I mean, I I I would do it approved subject to the town engineers comments, right? >> Plus the the comments that Matt had. I can make that motion. >> Sounds like you did. >> Was that your motion then? >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Moved and seconded. We approve the site plan with the uh conditions of the town engineers comments and uh the town planners comments. Uh any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Unanimous four. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you. >>
016Appreciate it. >> Okay. Now we have a public hearing. So, it's just adding the ballers and the details and the roof details. >> Thank you. [Music] Okay. on Tuesday, September 7, 16th at 2025 in room 3 of the Milford town hall of 52 Main Street, the playing Milford playing board at the time will conduct a public hearing regarding the following application from of the select select board to amend section 3.19 of the zoning bylaw related to accessory dwelling units. The full application and maps of the above are available for public inspection. The office of planning and engineering the town hall 52 main street milit 1757 at the at the following times Monday Tuesday and Monday through Monday and Tuesday 8 to 4:30. Oh yeah, Wednesday 8 to 6 and Friday 8 to 11:30. interested parties
017may express their thing and this is being a public hearing. So, uh >> public here. >> Okay. >> Uh so, Mr. Chairman, procedurally, do you do you declare the hearing open or does the board vote to open the public hearing? >> We just open it. >> Okay. So, you declare then that Okay. Thank you. >> When we read the the the thing that's Okay. Okay. Has everyone has been sent out to us? Uh, everyone looked at it. Any any comments? No. I mean, it's effectively that or the highway. So, uh, I I think the idea of having the site plan review is should be eliminated. Uh if you're going to put if you're going to lot on the side of the road and it meets all the zoning requirements, there's no there's no site plan
018review. If you're going to put an a building or an accessory unit in and it meets all zoning requirements, there's no need to have a site plan review. They're just duplicating something that's >> Yeah, I think they're looking for a mechanism because they're not comfortable with the present mechanism to be able to keep track of them. If that's their choice, that's their choice. >> I just as far as I'm concerned, I mean, they they apparently want it. I I don't I understand what you're saying, but if they want to do it, I don't I don't think it's going to be it's going to affect our length of our meetings any, you know, going to be a short review, but it it >> Well, especially >> I mean, the the only other thing it does because
019we we know people do some pretty weird things at an earlier point in time than they may normally get involved, we they at least we at least have the ability to say, "Well, you need to do this, this, and this and things like that because we've got people that decide to, you know, as opposed to design bill, they they build design. Um, so it it may it may be preclude some of that to a certain extent. So I don't think it hurts anything." >> Yeah. I mean, if there are >> It doesn't seem Yeah. In a sense, a lot of people come to us for site plan review if they're within the the the building code and and and zoning bylaws. But I understand. Yeah. To your point, like just in case. The only other
020part of it is does it come to us just to ensure are we that last gatekeeper for to ensure that they've uh had their inquiries to the water department and sewer department and if so because it still seems like that's still a little bit of gray area where if they need to have a dedicated service in there for both water and sewer or they can tap off of the existing from the house depending on the configuration. So sometimes I feel like that >> because we are that gate maybe we have no say on it anyway. >> that's the plumbing inspector. He's the guy >> who knows the plumbing regulations what what we should do what what they should do and what they shouldn't do. If he >> if he says >> you can do it
021>> he issues the thing there's no problem. >> Okay. Because to that point, we've seen them already come in with new services and some come in with tapped off of service from the existing house. So, it just seems like it's >> whatever's convenient as opposed to whatever we feel is in best practice for um you know for our zoning bylaws and our and our rules and regulations. So, yeah. >> Yeah. Thing is we have no say in >> we just have a discussion about a lengthy discussion about nothing. >> Yeah. We can't do anything. I mean, if you read the wording, it effectively says you guys can't do anything. They got rid of the word approval. You or uh you know the >> it has to be it has to be approved, per se. But
022>> I mean, as I said, I I I assume they're doing it as a mechanism to to have some form of keeping track of them and trying to get some form of consistency. And I guess at the end of the day, you can probably I don't know whether they want them or not. I mean, you can you you know, at least they have the plans for them in in in a place where they may be able to be located in the future, >> right, >> Mr. Chairman? So, when we originally sent this to the select board, section 3.19.1, uh, the way that Larry wrote it was that accessory dwelling units require submitt of a plot plan to accompany building permit applications in accordance with section 1.4.2 herein. So, He originally had it where it was
023just going right to the building commissioner, but um town council or sorry, yeah, council clapped back because of the language we got back from the attorney general and they wanted to be consistent with what the attorney general recommended. So, it's really on us how we want to do this and we could put it in our report to town meeting and they could ask for a floor amendment or not, but if we want to keep it as is as town council recommends. >> Great. Well, I think I think town council's feeling is that what they put forward is what attorney general is going to recommend. So, >> it's like either we do it. That's why I said it's either this way or the highway. I mean, it it if we don't do it, it's going to
024come back again. And, you know, effectively, it means we have absolutely nothing, which at the end of the day isn't all that bad. It's just that I I think the town's looking for some mechanism more than just the building department to have a ability to to have a running total and to have an idea of where these are and what they are. So assuming that's the reason, I guess I you know I would vote in favor of it, you know, because other people in town are looking for this type of information going forward. [Applause] But >> yeah, I mean, as far as our meeting and what's going to be reviewed, it's minimal. >> Exactly. >> By the time by the time the plans come to us, they're going to be exactly the way they're supposed
025to be. So, it won't be much for us to look at, I don't think. >> Yeah. I mean, you know, again, it it does force I does force them to put together some level of plans because the other thing is, you know, does somebody go forward with something on the back of a napkin? I mean, I think this forces them to at least do a little more than that, >> which, you know, if if they're they're putting in an auxiliary dwelling unit, they should be able to spend the >> small amount of money to put in a a plan that looks halfway decent. >> Yeah. To get a bill, you have to submit the site plan. >> Yeah. >> So, >> that's why I say it's just a duplication of waste as far as I'm
026concerned. It's a waste of time and the people's time. But >> yeah, but to the point of if if >> the attorney general states that that's how this has to proceed, then >> our our hands are in a sense tied by that process. >> Well, I don't think the attorney general I think that's what council's >> Yeah. >> Is he presuming that that's the >> Yeah. >> how it's going to go or do we scratch it >> and then we can revise it in the spring or next fall? >> Well, what went forward last fall was for it to be sight plan review, >> right? and then they modified it so that it could be a more laxed version of site plan review. They didn't even consider taking that out completely. So, if that's something
027that this board wants to do or not do, that's I think we could because it's within the the regulations the state that I understand is if you can't do it for a single family home, you can't do it for an ADU. So if you require site plan approval for a single family home then you can require for ADU but not the other way around. So we don't require site plan review for a single family home. We shouldn't be able to require for that's just my opinion but that's the way I read regulations anyway. >> Well what I mean based on the fact that we don't know the answer to that you know I guess I I make a motion we send a favorable recommendation to town meeting. That being said, >> it may be worthwhile,
028Matt, for you to have a conversation with council, >> town administrator and say, "Do we really need this?" I mean, part of this may have come from even us back then that we wanted to do we wanted to make sure that people were doing this stuff the right way based on the fact of of what the attorney general's office now says. Do you guys actually really want to do this? And if not, they they can obviously we can pass over it or they can pass over at a town meeting. But at least this way we've got it forward. If they say, "No, we really want to do this," then my feeling is that that that's their call and and I don't I don't have an issue with it. I don't think it does much as
029far as us, but uh I'm not going to I'm not going to sit here and say no, I don't want to do it. >> Well, we we right now we it's in there. We either have to give it a fable or a negative. Yeah, that's why I'm saying I'm making >> and then we could make you could make an amendment at the tile meeting to have it taken out. >> No, we they can just pass over it. There's nothing in there now. >> So, there's there's four sections that were modified. 3.191, which is site review, and then 3.195 shall comply with section 25 intensity use schedule. That's for minimum lot requirements. That had to be amended. And then the additional parking space required unless it's more than a half mile radius for transit station. That
030was council. And then 3.198 is also a modification that had to be done. So those three I I don't think we have any issues with. It's really just the first one that we're tossing back and forth. So passing over it would eliminate those those three also. So we can't really do >> right. You we I think transit Yeah, I know. I don't think transit there is no transit station. So, I mean, that was that was the attorney general not knowing where Milford was when they made the >> definition. And then as as you look up the uh definition for a transit station, a stop for the bus is is not considered not considered a transit station. >> That's what I'm saying. There is no transit station in Milford. So, the comment made zero sense whatsoever.
031>> When it first came out, the idea was that every bus stop, every stop that the the bus made was uh considered a stop. >> Yeah. and it's thing but now with the definitions being changed or being straightened out that's there again we can do it and I feel we should amend it and have it taken out at the make an amendment and take it out at the town meeting we can't take it out now >> is the w article it's not locked though we can still make I believe make changes >> no we have to recommendation on this. >> No, we're just giving a recommendation. We're not making >> We can't change it. >> Then, like I said, they would have to >> That's why I mean I think that's to me that's that's
032their call as to what what they're looking at it at the end of the day. I I >> Yeah, they're call and we got to do it. >> Yeah. For how long it takes us, I'm not going to worry about it. Well, it's I see more discussion going on on site plans on so water and everything else take >> I think that was only because at the time that we did it there was there was a a good amount of of u no one knowing what anybody wanted at that point in time. I don't think that's going to be an ongoing thing. >> Okay. Well, you made the is it >> I made the motion to send to the to send a favorable to town meeting. I had asked Matt outside of it to go
033back and just find out, but effectively the motion is to send a favorable to town meeting. >> I'll second that. >> Been moved and second. We say send a favor recommendation to the town meeting. All those in favor I. >> Three in favor, one opposed. Okay, let's see what we got. East Coast is not here. >> Uh, special permit residential animals at 12 West Street. [Music] Yes, sir. This is a referral request special permit allow residential animals zoning by provides such uses for ZBA special permit in the RA zoning district. Address of the properties shown on the plan. Proposals for six hens for personal use only as a non-commercial entity. Proposal includes construction of a coupe on the property using standard materials for coupe construction. So all relevant zoning requirements appear to be met. However,
034the coupe location may be with inside one of the the actually there's two front setbacks here. I think no sorry the rear yard setback. >> Rear yard setback. Just thinking of a different one. >> Rear yard setback. The plan should refer to the ZBA for its jurisdiction over the matter but otherwise recommend a favorable report to the ZBA provided the applicant abides by all rules and regulations of the Milton Board of Health. My only I again I don't like them in our age zone to begin with but at a minimum the coupe to me the coupe should meet rear and side yard setbacks >> right >> not where they show it >> but that that would be my only comment barring uh neighbors showing up. >> Do you know what those setbacks are supposed to
035be off the top? I didn't really go that far, but I thought 10 to >> on the side. >> Yeah. >> 15 in the back. I think >> Yeah. >> It's all right, Madam. I looked quickly. Didn't see it. >> I got you. >> Oh, yeah. 3 and 1/2 ft in 1.6 is probably not going to cut it. >> No. >> Well, because it's a coupe, it doesn't meet It doesn't meet building code. doesn't meet the size of anything. So they they could go half the distance at all. My my feeling is it should meet full >> regardless of what it is or what type of structure it is. It should meet the setback requirements. >> Full full though. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So >> I was going to I just want to make sure
036there was no other discussion, but I guess we can. Um so I'll a motion to send a favorable um favorable report to the ZBA for 12 West Street under the condition that they meet the uh appropriate setbacks >> and >> they meet full >> they meet the full setback requirements only because if you meet the required >> you could be considered a shed and it you get into the half distances that are allowed >> required setbacks. want to add the piece about the rules and regulations for the North Board of Health. >> The uh >> part of the motion, >> I have no problem with that. Yeah, I mean it doesn't matter. >> Yeah, they're going to have to >> Board of Health will require that no matter what when they go. >> Yep. But
037we can add to that as part of the letter going to the ZBA. >> Okay. Uh next we got the uh >> you got the motion. >> Oh yeah, sure. >> Move. I'll second that. >> It's moved and seconded. We send a favorable recommendation to the zoning board uh with the uh recommendation of uh full set zoning setbacks for the coupe rear and side setback for the coupe. Any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor? >> Unanimous of four. Okay. And now we go to the general by bylaw amendment for storm water the storm water bylaw. >> So with u Liz not being here we're going to have to table this to our next meeting because this came from a consultant that she was working on and I don't know anything about right now.
038So haven't had a chance to read this entire thing. I just got it on Monday. So >> okay. uh standard conditions uh draft uh yeah so this is something I'm putting kind of a draft for us to consider some standard conditions so when we approve projects we can just say approved with standard conditions two and four or any additional conditions that you want to add I added these for subdivisions site plans and special permits on the reverse page with the findings is part of the regulation. Um, just want to know if you have any comments about this or if there's anything I should add or change or if this is a good idea or it's not a good idea. Just want to see the pulse of the board on this. What would end up happening
039is you'd get a laminated copy of this for each meeting to read off whatever conditions you're looking for. It's just a helpful thing. Two-sided laminated copy on card on card stock. The only thing is if you have I don't know when you had this done but if you could send it out so >> we could read it at home. >> Sure. >> Yeah, we can table this next meeting as well. I just want to introduce it at least. It's something that we can consider. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, it's a good idea. >> Yeah, >> I like it. Great. >> No, again, it's not that I'm against it. It's just I like to be able to sit down and think it out as I'm reading it. I'll send this out separate uh tomorrow. >> Okay. And
040uh next we'll get the top planners uh updates. Yes. So we talked about Dome's Way and the Hydron location last meeting. So I added kind of the email correspondence that went back and forth between the fire department, the water department and the developer. And so what they ended up doing, and I have a picture on my phone, but probably not be able to find it quick enough. They ended up putting two hydrants in, one in the original spot and then in the back of the culde-sac and then one where the fire department wanted it. So there are now two. So we ended up getting both anyway. But I just wanted to show you the the chain of correspondence that went back and forth between and myself and the developers. >> But next time these will
041come right to you. >> I happen to talk to the water Jeff from the water department. And um they would allow they they wouldn't have minded putting a small uh hydrated in uh with the 2 and 1/2 2 and 1/2 in but it was like 3 months out to get one. So Dominic uh just said put the other one in. I was shocked at the price of a hydrant. I used to used to buy hydr$750 $4,000. >> Really? Yeah, I wouldn't have guessed that. Last I had known it was like 7 800 bucks. >> I mean, it's not as to a certain extent it's not as critical now. >> Even the smaller one was street. >> I mean, back in the day, >> you know, an extra hydrant is an extra cost for the town
042downstream because we were renting them. But that's no longer >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. That would have cost us >> whatever the cost >> an extra $400 a year or something for the I think we're paying like $350 when >> yeah I don't know what the >> for and I mean effectively for no no good reason for us but >> okay thanks for following up on that m >> thing only thing left is to set our meeting schedule for October agenda for next meetings would be >> the second and our first and third >> the 7th and 21st >> I'll miss them both >> world traveling between meeting 107 okay >> yeah if anybody comes in with plans I'll match that That way, you know, in case, you know, depending on what's needed and stuff,
043people may may not want to come before four members in case it's a majority need or super majority needed or whatever. That way they know. >> So, with the general bylaw, there is a placeholder on the town meeting. Um, but with all this here to describe it, I don't really have a whole lot of information for you guys tonight. We got we got time before the town meeting anyway. >> Yeah, it's the meeting's on the 20th. >> Next meeting is >> 7th. >> Y >> 7th. You won't but you won't. >> So, >> but you got you had no real. >> Okay. What's the pleasure of the board? >> Motion to adjurnn. >> Second. Moved and seconded we adjourn. Any discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor? I >> oppose. Unanimous. Move four. Good night.
044Good evening.