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NOTICE OF DECISION
Special Permit A3 Parking Determination

Certified #7014 2120 0003 3809 9959

IN THE MATTER OF:

Applicant: BOXYGEN – RECREATION PARK DRIVE LLC

Premises: 150 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 2
Hingham, MA 02043

Deed: Book 46544, Pages 105 & 122

Date: June 6, 2017

Summary of Proceedings:
This matter came before the Planning Board on the application of BOXYGEN – RECREATION PARK DRIVE LLC, for Site Plan Review under § I-G and § I-I in Association with a Special Permit A2 and a Special Permit A3 Parking Determination, and/or Parking Waivers under § V-A and such other relief as necessary to locate a health club within an existing 5,000 SF space in the Industrial Park and South Hingham Development Overlay Districts.


The Planning Board heard the application at a duly noticed public hearing on June 5, 2017 in the Hingham Town Hall at 210 Central Street. Members of the Planning Board present were: William Ramsey, Acting Chairman; Sarah Corey, Jennifer Gay Smith, Gary Tondorf-Dick, and Gordon Carr. The Applicant team included Scott Golding, Drohan, Tocchio and Morgan; Gabe Crocker and Dani Hazim, CHA; and representatives of Boxygen. The proposal is for a boxing based health club facility within the 5,000 square foot Suite #2 at 150 Recreation Park Drive. Approximately 3,700 sf for exercise and 1,300 sf for office space and restrooms. There are no physical changes proposed to the site. Parking was originally approved at 78 spaces, but only 73 were constructed and striped. The striping does not still exist, but the applicant will have the parking lot re-striped to the 74 spaces as shown in the application exhibit. This exhibit in the materials shows 74 parking spaces and indicates, in blue, where Boxygen feels their clients will most likely park. There is not assigned parking. There will be employee parking in the rear of the unit as shown, as the loading dock will not be utilized for this business. Boxygen offers one hour classes and anticipates 3-5 classes a day. Their largest class will be 30 people and two instructors, and that is typically a Saturday morning class. Their largest classes are off peak times, meaning early morning, late evening and weekends, when the other tenants are not open. The classes during business hours are not typically full. This business is a group exercise program, and most people tend to come in pairs or groups. This use complements the other uses on site, as their busy times are not when the other business are busy. The other tenants on site are DTM packing occupying Suites 3-7 for 25,000 sf of warehousing with 20 employees, and Suite 1 has Rocket Medical, and they utilize 3 parking spaces. So, of the 74 spots available there are typically many unused spaces.

Review Criteria and Findings:
a) The parking is sufficient in quantity to meet the needs of the proposed project;

Yes. The parking is underutilized by the existing uses. The proposed use is a group activity and, as such, participants tend to carpool. The facility in Newton is twice as large and is served adequately by 15-20 parking spaces.

b) Pedestrian access and circulation has been provided for;

Yes. Site is developed.

c) New driveways have been designed to maximize sightline distances to the greatest extent possible;

Not applicable. Developed site.

d) It is impractical to meet these standards and that a waiver of these regulations will not result in or worsen parking and traffic problems on-site or on the surrounding streets, or adversely affect the value of abutting lands and buildings;

There is no standard in the regulations for Health Club. The closest standard is Recreation which is 1 space per 3 persons. This site accommodates that standard.

e) The granting of relief is consistent with the intent of this By-Law and will not increase the likelihood of accident or impair access and circulation.

Yes. The granting of relief supports the utilization of existing infrastructure at this location where sufficient parking is available to support the proposed use.

DECISION AND VOTE:
It was Moved, Seconded and SO VOTED to APPROVE the Special Permit A3 parking determination in accordance with Section V-A Off-Street Parking Regulations of the Town of Hingham Zoning By-Law, for Boxygen at 150 Recreation Park Drive, Suite 2, as presented at the hearing and shown on the application materials submitted by Drohan, Tocchio & Morgan, based on the findings, and subject to the following conditions:

1. Parking spaces must be striped prior to the opening of the business at this location.


_____________________________
William C. Ramsey
Acting Chairman, Hingham Planning Board

In Favor: Ramsey, Gay Smith, Tondorf-Dick, Corey, Carr
Opposed: none