Coming before the Mattapoisett Planning Board on November 16, formally for the first time, was Douglas Schneider of Schneider, Davignon, and Leone, Inc. to undergo a site plan review for a proposed two-lot subdivision at the end of Park Lane. The previous discussion regarding this proposal had been informational and informal.
Representing property owners Andre Rieksts, Scott Atkinson, and Margo Wilson-Atkinson, Schneider explained that the lots would be created from a 15-acre site on the northwest side of the existing public roadway, Park Lane. He said that a cul-de-sac that allows for an 80-foot turning radius would create the needed frontage and that the new residences would be serviced by public water and sewer. Schneider said that while much of the acreage was wetlands, there was more than sufficient uplands for the proposed lots. He also confirmed that the Conservation Commission had not yet evaluated the project.
Board member Janice Robbins questioned a waiver Schneider sought that would bypass the need to provide drainage calculations. She noted that, given the elevation drop from the historic railroad bed, the roadway extension not only crossed wetlands but might create drainage issues. Robbins asked for a peer-review consultant to review stormwater management engineering. “We can provide drainage calculations. There’ll be a catchment area for the roadway runoff, but our options are limited for drainage on this project,” Schneider conceded.
Robbins also questioned who owned the railroad easements, along with what she said were issues with a private party extending a public roadway. “I don’t know if we have jurisdiction in this matter,” she said, asking board administrator Mary Crain if town counsel would be weighing in on that matter. Crain confirmed that would be the case.
Schneider countered that most public roadways are easements and asserted that the Planning Board has the authority to approve the requested extension. Robbins said that the roadway issue is not a subdivision issue. She said the ramification for the town would be, “Who has the responsibility if it falls apart? It isn’t going to be your clients; it’s going to be the town.”
There was further discussion regarding drainage when abutter Brian Swift asked if water now running from the east and north would be controlled by a retention basin. Schneider said, “Water flows down the railroad easement and then on my clients’ property.” He noted that a culvert would be built to manage the water on the railroad bed. He also stated that there is a large swamp near Swift’s property.
“This is way beyond my expertise,” Robbins commented, again asking for a peer review as well as a site visit. A site visit was planned for November 22 at 10:00 am, and the site plan review was continued until December 7.
In other matters, Eric Las of Beals and Thomas returned to the Planning Board regarding the solar array planned off Randall Lane. However, in the absence of securing a peer-review consultant, there was little to discuss. Crain said that she had spoken with the conservation agent so that one peer-review consultant could be hired for both boards. Las said a new set of plans had been developed and asked that the consultant be given those once one is selected. The site plan review was continued until December 7.
Crain also reported that a meeting with Grant King from the Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) will be held on December 9 at 7:00 pm and will bring together the local Master Plan Committee members for the first time. King will provide guidance and help the committee navigate the process of updating the town’s Master Plan.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Planning Board is scheduled for December 7 at 7:00 pm.
Mattapoisett Planning Board
By Marilou Newell