The Rochester Planning Board tackled a number of public hearings in their remote access meeting held on June 9 and provided input on updated plans provided by the community.
Significant progress was made in the continuance of a public hearing relating to the access road being planned for a project at 22 Cranberry Highway. Phil Cordeiro, representing an application put forth by Steen Realty and Development, noted that most of the progress going forward relies on cooperation with the representatives from the adjacent Seasons Corner Market.
John Russell, representing Seasons, explained that he had met with Ken Steen on multiple occasions to determine details of the plan going forward. “We had a productive call, and we are moving forward with a solution that will make everyone happy,” said Russell.
Rochester Planning Board Chairman Arnie Johnson explained that the updates to the plans seemed to be manageable and that the updated project resolved many of the board’s previous concerns. “I don’t see anything that’s insurmountable here,” said Johnson. “I feel confident that over the next couple of weeks the engineers will be able to address those concerns.”
Despite most of the plan appearing satisfactory, the board did note that the design as proposed seemed to have a limited turning radius on the road that leads to Route 58. Concerns were raised that the limited space for turning might result in a potential hazard, as larger vehicles may need to cross into the other side of the road to complete the turn.
Board member Chris Silveira made special mention of the fact that refueling trailers arriving at the gas station that accompanies the market may have an especially difficult time making the turn safely. Silveira suggested that, if possible, the road should be widened to safely allow large vehicles and trucks to make the turn without incident.
Cordeiro agreed that the plans did not accurately demonstrate whether there was sufficient room for such vehicles to safely make the turn. He mentioned that he would work with traffic engineers to ensure that the road and the entrance to the market were at safe and functional distances.
There was some confusion when Walter Hartley, representing a plan to divide a property located on Neck Road submitted by William Chamberlain, explained that an old access road would have to be removed. The division of the property into three new lots for sale would mean that the existing access road would need to be discontinued.
Hartley explained that the existing road was used by the Decas Cranberry Company to quickly transport goods from the bog to the road. With the division of the lot, the new owners will likely want the road removed. Although Hartley claimed that the road is private and there is nothing legally stating it must remain in use, Planning Board member Ben Bailey noted that tax maps for the town of Rochester show that the road is shown and named Ridge Road. Hartley explained that the road was not shown on the assessor’s map. “We have done our research,” Hartley explained. “There is nothing in our deed that says it’s there. We don’t think it has any legal standing.”
As the road is located on private property, the board agreed that the discontinuation of the road’s use would not impact their determination on whether the proposed plans would require approval from the board. Ultimately, in a unanimous vote, the board decided that no further approval for the plans would be required.
The meeting began with an update from Evan Watson of Prime Engineering regarding a permit application for a ground-mounted, solar photovoltaic array filed by Greg Carey. As the project progressed, Watson responded to the need for additional screening on the property by including a vegetated easement to the plans.
The easement was included in the plans after Watson discussed the desire for added screening to the solar array raised by owners of neighboring properties located on Sarah Sherman Road. “We believe that within the next couple of weeks we will have an easement drafted and signed,” Watson told the board.
Watson noted that the easement would guarantee that existing trees are not the only measure screening the array from neighboring properties. “We are developing sightline plans from the adjacent residents,” said Watson. “These show the views from outside the array, and how the trees on our property and the easement provide screening for abutting properties.”
The plan is nearing its conclusion, and Watson reported that the final steps for completion involve working with the Rochester Conservation Commission to resolve final additions to the plan relating to the drainage calculations for the site.
After approving minutes from the following meeting, the board moved on to discuss the potential for in-person meetings in the future. Johnson explained his hope for a potential meeting to take place in the future that would be a hybrid between remote and in-person meetings.
While it is likely that such a meeting will take place in the future, Town Counsel Blair Bailey suggested that the meetings should continue to be held remotely until proper instructions and plans for a hybrid meeting could be provided to the public.
The next Rochester Planning Board meeting is set to take place remotely on June 23.
Rochester Planning Board
By Matthew Donato