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NOTICE OF DECISION
Site Plan Review


Applicant: G.M.J Group, LLC Certified Mail #7014 2120 0003 3809 8556


Premises: 9 Short Street
Hingham, MA 02043

Date: January 26, 2016

Plan Reference
"SITE AND CANOPY PLAN, 9 SHORT ST, HINGHAM" dated 12/16/2015, revised to 1/20/16, Sheet C-1, prepared by Gabe Crocker, PE.,

Summary of Proceedings
At the regular meeting of January 25, 2016, Planning Board members Sarah H. Corey, Gary Tondorf-Dick, Jennifer Gay Smith, William Ramsey and Judith Sneath heard the request for Site Plan Review in Association with Building Permit with partial waivers for submittal of additional information and drainage report to be considered by the Planning Board under §I-H to allow the installation of a new canopy structure, and retaining walls and a fence on the property at 9 Short Street, in the Business A zone. The Applicant was present, as well as Gabe Crocker and Jeffrey Tocchio for the Applicant.

Project Description
The application before the Board is site plan review in accordance with §I-H of the By-law for Site Plan in association with Building permit for 9 Short Street, property zoned Business A, for work including the installation of a new Canopy, and retaining walls and a fence along the property lines. Upgraded tanks will be installed at the same time. The existing lights will be removed and the new lights will be LED fixtures, recessed into the new canopy structure. The drainage currently goes into the catch basin on the north east side of the site, and there are no changes proposed to the drainage patterns. Installation of the canopy will provide a net improvement to storm water management as the water will be directed underground to the existing catch basin. The existing catch basin on site, and adjacent to the site on Route 228 will both have "Eliminator" hoods installed to provide another layer of protection to the drainage system. Rights to grade have been demonstrated, and the site will have the parking spaces striped to further guide drivers. This is a small independently owned business and this will be a nice improvement to the site and overall operation. The new underground tanks that are being installed will be the double walled fiberglass style to further protect groundwater and the site. The work may be done in phases due to the overall cost, but, the hope is to try and do it all at once.

Findings and Decision
After discussion, the Board reviewed the Site Plan Review Criteria, and made the following findings:

a. protection of abutting properties against detrimental uses by provision for surface water drainage, fire hydrant locations, sound and site buffers, and preservation of views, light and air, and protection of abutting properties from negative impacts from artificial outdoor site lighting.

Finding: The photometric plans were provided. C-4 plans look good. Existing lights and fixtures will be replaced. Drainage will go to the catch basin in the north eastern side of the site. Existing lights and fixtures will be replaced with LED lighting built into the new canopy structure. Drainage will follow existing patterns. Documents indicating rights to grade/construct were submitted for the file.

b. convenience and safety of vehicular and pedestrian movement within the site and on adjacent streets; the location of driveway openings in relation to traffic or to adjacent streets, taking account of grades, sight distances and distances between such driveway entrances, exits and the nearest existing street or highway intersections; sufficiency of access for service, utility and emergency vehicles;

Finding: The site layout is existing. The applicant will stripe parking as shown on the submitted plans to guide drivers. No expansion of site or use proposed. Retaining walls are an improvement to site and enhance screening.

c. adequacy of the arrangement of parking, loading spaces and traffic patterns in relation to the proposed uses of the premises; compliance with the off-street parking requirements of this By-Law;

Finding: The design of the parking and access drives are an existing condition and no changes are proposed beyond painting the spaces clearly. The retaining wall work makes the parking spaces easier to access.

d. adequacy of open space and setbacks, including adequacy of landscaping of such areas;

Finding: No exterior physical changes to site proposed.

e. adequacy of the methods of disposal of refuse and other wastes resulting from the uses permitted on the site

Finding: No change to existing operations is proposed. The dumpster is existing.

f. prevention or mitigation of adverse impacts on the Town’s resources, including, without limitation, water supply, wastewater facilities, energy and public works and public safety resources;

Finding: Utility connections exist now. No additional changes proposed. Fuel tanks are being upgraded to the latest technology.

g. assurance of positive storm water drainage and snow-melt run-off from buildings, driveways and from all parking and loading areas on the site, and prevention of erosion, sedimentation and storm water pollution and management problems through site design and erosion controls in accordance with the most current versions of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Storm Water Management Policy and Standards, and Massachusetts Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines.

Finding: Canopy structure will collect rainwater and direct it to the catch basin underground. The existing drainage patterns and catch basin will remain. The site is already impervious, but improvements to the storm water management are being proposed (provision of spill kit on site, collection of clean water by protecting pumps, plans to sweep site and clean catch basin annually).

h. protection of natural and historic features including minimizing: the volume of cut and fill, the number of removed trees of 6 inches caliper or larger, the removal of stone walls, and the obstruction of scenic views from publicly accessible locations;

Finding: Not applicable

i. minimizing unreasonable departure from the character and scale of buildings in the vicinity or as previously existing on or approved for the site.

Finding: Plans show proposed canopy which is small in size, in keeping with the small site.

The Board then Moved, Seconded and So Voted to Approve the Site Plan in association with Building Permit for 9 Short Street, as presented at the hearing and as shown on the plans titled "SITE AND CANOPY PLAN, 9 SHORT ST, HINGHAM" dated 12/16/2015, revised to 1/20/16, Sheet C-1, prepared by Gabe Crocker, PE., with the following conditions:

1. Existing catch basin shall be cleaned prior to the start of work and the catch basin shall be protected with fabric during construction. At the end of construction the catch basin shall be cleaned out, and moving forward on an annual basis in late spring following the snow melt. Documentation of the annual catch basin cleaning shall be forwarded to the Planning Board for the file upon completion.
2. An "Eliminator" hood shall be installed in the catch basin on the discharge pipe connection, as proposed.
3. The property shall be swept free of sand and debris on an annual basis in the spring after the snow melt.
4. The facility shall keep a "spill containments kit" on site and easily accessible. The kit shall include oil absorbent pads and a catch basin mat that can be placed over the grate to block a spill from entering the basin.
5. An as built plan shall be provided showing canopy/drainage connection to catch basin, and indicating presence of hood in basin with appropriate elevations.
6. There shall be no signage on Canopy.
7. An "Eliminator" hood shall be installed in the catch basin in the public way (Rte. 228) adjacent to the site. Applicant shall coordinate work with the DPW.
8. The new underground roof drain connection will be solid pipe.
9. The proposed canopy drain clean-out shall be placed to finish grade.


Town of Hingham Planning Board


Sarah H. Corey, Chairman Date

Cc: Town Clerk, ZBA, Building Department, DPW, Fire, Health, Assessors,





NOTARIZATION



EXECUTED this _____ day of February, 2016


Commonwealth of Massachusetts


Plymouth, ss February __, 2016

Then personally appeared Sarah H. Corey, Chairman of the Hingham Planning Board, and acknowledged the foregoing to be the free act and deed of said Board.


_________________________
Mary F. Savage-Dunham, Notary Public My Commission Expires October 29, 2021