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TOWN OF HINGHAM
Planning Board
NOTICE OF DECISION
Site Plan Review in Association with a Building Permit
IN THE MATTER OF: Certified Mail#70133020000099902498
Applicant: Hingham Historical Society
34 Main Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Premises: 34 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Date: May 19, 2015
Plan Reference: Plans entitled "OLD DERBY ACADEMY 34 MAIN STREET
HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS" prepared by SITEC ENVIRONMENTAL, dated April 10,
2015, five sheets; and, plans entitled "OLD DERBY ACADEMY, HINGHAM
HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Hingham Heritage Museum, 34 Main Street, Hingham,
Massachusetts", dated 12.1.2014, sheets A1.1-1.3 and A2.1-2.4, prepared
by Sally Weston Associates, 222 North Street, Hingham. MA 02043.
Summary of Proceedings
At the regular meeting of the Planning Board on May 18, 2015 Michael
Studley and Mark Cullings from the Hingham Historical Society, Al
Trachemas of SITEC, and Sally Weston of Sally Weston Associates
presented the site plan modifications in association with the building
permit for the proposed building addition with associated parking,
utilities and landscaping at 34 Main Street. John Chessia, of Chessia
Consulting, was present as the peer review engineer for the Planning
Board. The meeting was also duly noticed for the associated Special
Permit A3 parking determination.
Background
Mr. Studley introduced the team and provided the history of the use of
the building by the Hingham Historic Society. Recent improvements here
were the stone steps and stone wall. This building is now becoming a
de-facto "visitor center" for the town. The project entails a building
addition which includes and elevator, HVAC system, and handicapped
accessibility. In the past there have been some exhibits at this
facility and the intent is for that to continue. Events are typically
on weekends or evenings.
Mr. Ramsey noted for the record that he does not live within 300' but
he lives nearby, and that he has no bias for or against the project.
Ms. Sneath noted she also lives nearby and has no bias for or against
the project either.
Mr. Cullings noted that the ongoing maintenance of this building is a
big expense, and, that this is the first major renovation and expansion
of this building. This facility is a magnet to draw people to downtown
Hingham and will help the economic fabric of downtown. Ms. Corey then
asked Mr. Chessia to present his comments. He reviewed the proposal and
identified some information that should be clarified on drainage,
parking, use and erosion control. The Applicant and Board noted that
some elements of the hard scape originally submitted had been removed
from the most recent submittal of material. Most importantly the two
retaining walls and the terrace. Those are not being discussed or
presented at this time. The Board discussed drainage, parking lot
design, landscape plans, tree removal, dumpsters and snow storage. The
Board discussed storm water extensively. Mr. Chessia noted that the
detail for the porous pavement did not meet the DEP guidelines and there
was a discussion about adequacy of the proposed design. Mr. Chessia
commented that the porous pavement would not capture the 100 year storm
and recommended that a catch basin be provided to capture the bypass and
redirect it to the gravel base under the porous pavement. Ms. Corey
asked what would happen if there wasn't that basin during a 100 year
storm. Mr. Chessia noted the water would simply run down the driveway.
Ms. Sneath asked the Applicant's engineer if he could work with Mr.
Chessia on the design specifics for that basin and put it on plans for
administrative review by the Planner and Mr. Chessia. Mr. Trachemas
indicated he could. The Board discussed that the design of the catch
basin by parking lot should be shown on plans and reviewed by Mr.
Chessia and adjusted as needed to meet the intent of collecting by-pass
flow and redirecting it into the gravel base. The Applicant stated that
Phase I was the building addition and handicapped accessibility, and
Phase II was everything else. Evening events may have 45-85 guests, and
during the day the museum has walk in traffic. During large events the
Historic Society hires a detail office for traffic control.
Site Plan Review Criteria
The Board reviewed the Site Plan criteria as follows:
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.
The Board noted that there was no change proposed to the lighting,
and no parking lot lights, but there would be wall sconce lighting on
the building adjacent to the ramp. The Applicant will mitigate glare
from an existing fixture at the request of the neighbor. The Board
found that test pits shall be required at the time of construction to
verify the suitability of material. The Board found that the design of
the drywells for accepting the gutter flow from the addition shall be
submitted to the Town Planner and was subject to review by Mr. Chessia.
The Board found that the design of the porous pavement shall be
consistent with the DEP detail. The Board found that design of the
catch basin by parking lot shall be submitted to the Town Planner and
was subject to review by Mr. Chessia.
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;
The Board found that there is already a traffic detail present in large events which was sufficient.
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;
The Board found that 8 parking spaces shall be retained at all time
including one handicapped parking space. The Board noted that they also
have a request for Special Permit A3 Parking Determination for this
project and will discuss all of these items as part of that deliberation
and action. They noted more information was needed prior to action on
the A3.
d. adequacy of open space and setbacks, including adequacy of landscaping of such areas;
The Board found that a Landscape Plan shall be submitted prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
e. adequacy of the methods of disposal of refuse and other wastes resulting from the uses permitted on the site
The Board found that the site was not being served with dumpsters and
that given the access that probably didn't make sense. Trash is
currently removed daily.
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;
The Board found that this is not applicable to the project.
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.
The Board found that the catch basins at the bottom of the driveway
shall be cleaned out prior to the start of construction, and then during
construction, and then in accordance with the O&M plan. The Board
found that an erosion control plan shall be provided on the plan set.
The Board found that snow shall not be stored at the front of the site.
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;
The Board found that the number of trees to be added and removed shall be clarified on the plans.
i. minimizing unreasonable departure from the character and scale of
buildings in the vicinity or as previously existing on or approved for
the site.
The Board found this is not applicable.
Vote and Conditions
The Board then moved, seconded and so VOTED to approve the site plan
for 34 Main Street as presented in the May 18, 2015 hearing and as
depicted on Plans entitled "OLD DERBY ACADEMY 34 MAIN STREET HINGHAM,
MASSACHUSETTS" prepared by SITEC ENVIRONMENTAL, dated April 10, 2015,
five sheets; and, plans entitled "OLD DERBY ACADEMY, HINGHAM HISTORICAL
SOCIETY, Hingham Heritage Museum, 34 Main Street, Hingham,
Massachusetts", dated 12.1.2014, sheets A1.1-1.3 and A2.1-2.4, prepared
by Sally Weston Associates, 222 North Street, Hingham. MA 02043, with
the following conditions:
1. Test pits shall be required at the time of construction to verify the suitability of material.
2. The location and design of the drywells for accepting the gutter
flow from the addition shall be added to the plans and submitted to the
Town Planner and was subject to review by Mr. Chessia. The design of
the catch basin by parking lot shall be added to the plans and submitted
to the Town Planner and was subject to review by Mr. Chessia.
3. The design of the porous pavement shall be consistent with the DEP detail.
4. Eight parking spaces shall be retained at all time including one handicapped parking space.
5. A Landscape Plan shall be submitted to the Town Planner prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
6. The catch basins at the bottom of the driveway shall be cleaned out
prior to the start of construction, and then during construction, and
then in accordance with the O&M plan.
7. An erosion control plan shall be provided on the plan set.
8. Snow shall not be stored at the front of the site.
9. The number of trees to be added and removed shall be clarified on the plans.
Sarah Corey, Chairman
Hingham Planning Board
cc: Town Clerk, Historic, M. Studley, R. Fernandes, Building Department
NOTARIZATION
EXECUTED this _____ day of June, 2015
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth, ss June 1, 2015
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.
_________________________ My Commission Expires October 29, 2021
Mary F. Savage-Dunham, Notary Public
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