Planning Board - Regular Meeting

Uh good evening everybody. Welcome to the April 27th, 2026 uh Franklin Planet Board meeting. Uh it's a 7 p.m. meeting. This meeting is audio and video recorded as well as on Zoom. in the zoom callin number is 312-626-66799 with a meeting number of 8707 0415887 uh I think what I'll do I'll go uh general business uh first um first would be an endorsement for aid in the states if I could go to Amy the department of planning please uh for quick Thank you, Mr. Chairman. They submitted their plans um for the subdivision um for Aiden Estates um the five lot subdivision off of Union on Union Street that was approved. Um they put the certificate of vote on the plans and they're looking for endorsement tonight.

Okay. And you said Mike is online. Mike gets on Zoom. Mike, you there? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Yes. Hi. Good evening. Good evening, Mike. Uh, Mike, quick question. I just want to confirm one thing. Water man and fire hydrants all resolved with this.

Um, it is we came to an agreement with the developer. The developers in front of the town council right now for the water and sewer map amendments has to be approved by town council. They have the first hearing. It went I'd say it went positively. Um, the second hearing is scheduled. I believe it's for May 13th. um after that point if they council votes on it um for um for approval then they'll um we already have a pre-construction meeting scheduled um so after that point so they'd be looking to get started soon if everything goes favorably but the uh developer agreed to um some conditions and um agreed to um to um put in the water main and the um hydrants. Okay. So you're comfortable with us signing off? Yes.

Okay. Uh anybody from the board comments questions? No. I just make a motion that we endorse uh Aiden Estates. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? I I next item of business. This would be an extension for 124 to 126 Grove Street. Uh if I could go an email, please at Department of Planning.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um they were approved over just before a year ago and they're just looking for an extension. Um the conditions said that the commencement had to start within a year um which they haven't been able to do so. So I believe they had requested a year. Um I recommend um and it's the board's choice if they want to do give them two years. Y anybody have any comments or questions? We've given two years out just based on the economy and what's not going on for future large scale projects. So I think it would just be beneficial. Um, yeah. The only question I was going to have to say is, do you feel like you need two years instead of one? I'm sorry. I can't.

Yeah. Yeah. The only I was The only question I was going to ask is, do you feel like you need two instead of one or do you really feel like you're ready to get this off the ground? We asked for one and a two. I think that'd be nice because there's a lot of moving parts to this. The reason we're Okay. I'm sorry. Can you just get up to the mic? Just introduce Yeah, just introduce yourself.

My name is Arthur Reading. I'm from the New England group. I was the one that was here a year ago to go through this. Um the reason we had to we lost a year is because we had to find another place to put some put we have so much product and it was and so we finally found a place uh in Bellingham. Um so we could we have now two warehouses until we put the addition on then we'll give that one up. So um there's a lot of moving parts to it. So, the two years will be great. Uh, we hope to break ground. Um, it'll probably be sometime in uh late June, early July. So, uh, it'll probably take us 2 years to build it. I mean, you know, by the time we're done from start to finish with the parking lot and also the the building part, right?

So, we are staying in Franklin. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Anybody have any comments, question that? Yeah, just one. Uh, Mr. Reading, unrelated to the uh extension, uh, I drive down Grove Street quite a quite frequently,

I noticed that the sign that's coming out of your entrance or coming out of your exit and it was a semi-truck was to take a right turn onto Grove. That sign's again almost flattened. And I don't I think we talked last year about maybe a resolution as to how to alleviate that and I just didn't know if there's any progress. Yeah, we spent more money on that sign than we want to do. So, what I've done, and you're going to see it shortly, okay, we we've got a brand new sign. It hasn't been put up. I have uh my my um landscapers are going to be putting two big stones at that corner with some river rock on the corner. If they can't make it around that corner, then they shouldn't be coming in our parking lot. And we are adding another sign at the other end because we feel coming down because we have the building out back 124. As you're coming down, there's some trees there. We're just going to trim them and put another sign saying all trucks must go here cuz one's coming from uh 140, I guess it is, coming down. They miss it.

So, we're doing that. So, it is going to be corrected. Um I know the sign's already done. We're just waiting for the rocks. Okay. Okay. We try to get them across the street, but they wouldn't sell us any. What are we going to do with them? He said it's worth more in crushing them than there is selling them to us. So, anyway, that's where it's at. Thank you for the update. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. So, I make a motion to continue the extension for 124126 Gro Street for 2 years. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? I You're all set. I want to thank everybody. I appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome.

Have a good night. Next item of business, this would be uh meeting minutes. This would be a meeting minutes from February 9th uh 2026. Does anybody have any additions, deletions, or comments? If not, make a motion to approve February 9th meeting minutes. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? I. Uh we also have meeting minutes from March 9th. Uh do we have any additions or deletions? If not, I make a motion to approve March 9th, 2026 meeting minutes. Do a second. Second. All in favor? I.

And lastly is March 23rd, 2026 meeting minutes. Uh any additions or deletions? If not, make a motion to approve March 23rd meeting minutes. There is second. Second. All in favor? I. Okay. Uh, next item of business. This would be for 70 Daniel Street, uh, definitive subdivision, uh, Gillow Estates, and I believe they're looking to get continued, uh, with some additional information that would do. That correct? That's correct, Mr. Chairman. Amy, what are you thinking for for this? Uh, May 11th.

May 11th. Okay. Um, make a motion to continue 70 Daniel till May 11th. Are there a second? Second. All in favor? I Okay, our next item in business, this would be for 47 Partridge Street. This is Dunham Estates uh definitive subdivision. I believe last time we met they were going in front of conservation commission Amy and they were working their way through. They are. So, I know they met with them last Thursday. Um, I do just want to note that the engineer is on Zoom if there's any questions, but they still working through conservation and hopefully um by our May 11th meeting, they will have approval. Okay.

I don't know if you want to ask the engineer any information, but he is available online. Rick, you there? Uh, yes, Mr. Chairman. Good evening. Good evening. How are you? Um, Rick, quick question with our conservation commission. Um like what's left? I I know you guys were close the last time, anything serious or just um incidental? Uh incidentals. Um they wanted some labeling done to the plan and an adjustment to the retaining wall. Um so we made both of those small changes. Um and we anticipate um that they will have a draft permit ready at their next meeting to go over.

Okay, good. Um, thank you. Okay. Thank you. Uh, Mike, are you there?

Yes, Mr. Chairman. I'm here. Um, Mike, um, are you all set with Dunovan Estates? I know it's coming to a close. Is there anything else you or Andrew Beta needed from Rick? I don't think so. I think the last comments, um, everything's been addressed on that one. Okay. All right. Good. Thank you. Did Steve do that one? Um, he did, but Matt Matt did. Um, no, Steve did, but Matt is online. He may or may not be familiar with it if you want to touch base. No, I just want to make sure they're closing up all loose ends and that they'll be ready for the next meeting. That's all. Okay. Okay. Matt's available to M nodding his head. He is online if you want to ask. Matt. Matt, how are you? I'm very good. How you doing, Mr. Chairman?

Not too bad. Not too bad. I just wanted to touch base with um Donovan Estates. you you guys have pretty much wrapped up all loose ends with with um with Rich and his and his guys. Yeah, I I looked over the the last letter that we sent and pretty much everything was addressed. I think there was just um you know a note of um just a little bit of the vegetation at the corner uh might be on the the neighbor's property for for sight distance, but um I think this is more just a drafting type clarification and and not a major concern. So, I think we're pretty well set. Okay, good. Thank you. Um, how about the rest of the board? Everybody good? Yeah. Okay. All right. So, we'll make

Mr. Chairman, Ju just for the record, we did receive um the decision date was due by April 30th. I did receive an email today in writing um from the engineer that they've extended from I think engineer attorney. They have extended to June 5th. So, just for the record, the decision date has been extended because we do have a deadline with subdivisions. It's been extended to um June 5th. Okay. Do we have to vote on that or no? Just reference. Okay. Um May 11th then? Yes. Okay. So, I'll make a motion to continue 47 Pocket Street, Dunovan Estates till May 11th. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor?

I I Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. And our last item of business, this would be for uh definitive a private definitive subdivision, Tanglewood Estates 2 uh Symphony Drive. If I could go to Amy at Department of Planning, please.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think um we were ready to kind of wrap this up the last meeting, but I know that we waiting on the final conservation decision, which they did get approved at the last Thursday meeting. Um I listed um five suggested conditions the board can choose if they want to make them special conditions. Um one of them the first one actually is is recommended by our town engineer Mike Maggley was the newborn ways to remain private in perpetuity with all future maintenance and repairs including snow removal shall be the responsibility of the homeowners. Um, we also, I think this one might come from beta, the house designer to demonstrate that the lot 2 roof area is treated as required following finalization of the house design. Um, we also need the signature on the operations and maintenance manual. Um, a signed illicit discharge statement shall be provided prior to the start of construction. And then um we did refer to our town attorney is to review the HOA documents prior to the issuance of occupancy. Uh along with those special conditions, there is also nine waiverss that would need to be voted on tonight.

Okay, good. Thank you. Um I'll go to Mike at DPW. Mike, are you there? Yes, Mr. Jim. Mike, are you uh comfortable with everything? Uh yes. All cleaned up? Yeah, we were at the last meeting. I think the uh the continuation to tonight was because they were waiting to close out with uh conservation, but we've been um we met with the engineer and beta to uh resolve all the last issues that were out there and we're satisfied with everything at this point. Okay, good. Thank you. Um Matt, you there?

Yes, I am. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh we're we're in line with Mike and uh everything that we had um you know considered remain was captured in those conditions in the letter from uh Department of Planning Community Development. So, we're all set. Good. Thank you, Matt. Um, is the applicant online by any chance? They are. I just gave um I just gave him permission to speak. Yes, Mr. Chairman, I'm here. This is Cameron Gray with the Colony Group. Hi, Cameron. How are you tonight? I'm good. How about you? Good, good. Uh, Cameron, just a couple quick questions. Um, Amy had we had a list of uh suggested conditions. Um, you guys okay with uh agreeing to them? Yes, we had no issue with those conditions.

Okay. And the wave is requested, you'll be all set with. Okay. Um go to the board Chris and ask questions or comments. Uh thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh for the applicant, u just in regards to special condition or suggesting condition three. Um I understand that there'll be a signature required prior to construction. Is there going to be a follow-up when that home conveys to another party in the future? They live there for 5, 10, 15 years, sell it. How do we ensure that the next owner has the same understanding and knowledge that the buyer did, the original buyer? Can we put that Can we put that in the de?

So, I believe we discussed it at the last meeting um with the HOA documentation. It will be outlined that they'll be responsible for the storm water as well as any future maintenance including the roadway. Um, and then when that parcel is conveyed to them, they'll have to review that HOA in order to be established. Okay, Amy, do we need to have that in the condition or that satisfactory? I think um condition number five would cover that. Okay. To have have the attorney review the number five. Fine by me. Yep. All set. Thank you.

Jay, I got nothing. Okay, cool. Mark. Um, thanks, Mr. Chairman. I just had uh maybe one or two questions. Is the applicant still going to contribute uh funds to refurbish that booster? I believe so. Mike, can you weigh in on? Yes, Mr. Chair, I can I can address that. Yeah. So, that was that was a condition of their water um water and sewer um extensions that were approved by town council. So, when they go to apply for the permits for the water and sewer to work on those systems, that's when that'll be due. Um, so they can't do the work until they actually come up with that. So that'll be that'll be condition of their permits. Okay, good. Thank you.

And uh last thing, I think it was sometime last year when the conditions are we going to put those on the front of the plans. Is that we going to do that too or we add add the um certificate of vote to the subdivision plans? Yes. I guess you were concerned about things being forgotten in the past. Yeah. Yep. Right. I'm all set. Thank you. Okay. All right. Nothing for me. No. Will. Nope. All good. Okay. So, I'll make a motion to close uh Tanglewood Estates 2, Symphony Drive, Private Definitive Subdivision. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? I.

Do I hear a motion on conditions and waiverss? Approval. Motion on conditions and waiverss. Okay. Do you want me to list them all? Yeah, just the suggested conditions one through five. Uh my favorite gift. Oh, sorry.

Um motion to for the suggested conditions. One, the new roar is to remain private in perpetuity and all future maintenance and repairs including snow removal shall be the responsibility of the homeowners. Two, the house designer, excuse me, is to demonstrate that the lot two roof areas treated as required following finalization of the house design. Three, a signature of the owner in the operation maintenance manual shall be provided prior to the start of the construction. Hold on, you went too fast. Sorry. Number two, to be included in the HOA

uh whole house designer to demonstrate that the lot to roof area as treated as required following finalization of the house design. and to be included in the HOA document. Uh, that is not which is No, no, no. You're adding it. You're adding it. To be included. Yeah. Yeah, you're adding it. How'd you read it? That was Chris. That's the first three. That's three. Number three. Yeah. Well, I I was still reading off, too. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I just needed Jay to say it. Yeah. But it's got to be a number three, too. A signature of the homeowner in the operation and maintenance finish shall be provided prior to the start of construction and included in the HOA.

No, number two was that you already said it. Yeah. No, it was number three. Number three was the signature of the operation of the Chris to include them both. Yeah. Okay. Okay. We got it wrapped up tonight. We're good. A signed elicit discharge statement shall be provided prior to the start of construction. You good? Y town attorney is required to review the HOA documents prior to issuance of occupancy per motion second. Oh do waver.

Oh the waivers. And then we'll just make a recommendation for the waiverss of 1 through nine uh from the dated April 2nd, 2026 uh letter from Department of Planning. Second. All in favor? Second. You made the motion. I Yeah. Were there separate motions though? Same motion. Yeah. So second. All in favor? I Okay, good. Good. I'll say no. Vote to approve the subdivision. Yep. Make a motion to approve the final definitive subdivision for Tanglewood 2 Estate Symphony Drive. Do I hear a second? Second. All in favor? I

I got we close the hearing. You close. Yeah, we already did. All right. Okay. Okay. Thank you everyone. Thank you. Anybody have any questions or comments with general business? You have um porch fest coming up soon. Very cool. Very exciting. Yeah. June 6. I heard Christmas. High school graduation June 5th. Yeah. Nice. Uh, what else? That's it. I don't know anything. Nope. Okay. I don't know.

I'll go with a shameless plug for um soon to be more widely advertised. Franklin Fathers are hosting a uh fundraising kickball tournament. Okay. on the Sunday before Father's Day, June 14th. So, there'll be an email going out for registration for teams, uh, sponsors, volunteers, etc. So, keep your eyes on your inbox if you're in if the tune with the, uh, Franklin Fathers. If not, find us on Facebook. Thanks. Thanks. Very good. Good. Make a motion to adjourn. Is there a second? Second. All in favor? I. Thank you, everyone. Thank you, everybody. That was quick. Yeah, that was good. This um