Planning Board Discusses Two-Lot Subdivision

            On September 8, Marion’s Planning Board held informal discussions with David Davignon of Schneider, Davignon, and Leone, Inc. for a two-lot subdivision proposed by Todd Zell for property he owns off County Road.

            The concept includes two residential parcels of approximately 5 acres each with a shared private roadway off County Road. Zell also owns and has developed abutting parcels including one for his private residence. The property was discussed by Davignon as “basically flat” with cranberry bogs along one border and a solar array or solar farm on the other side. To the north, Davignon said the two previously developed lots are located.

            As he continued to describe the project and the property, Davignon said that the soils were very sandy and “percolated” well. This he assured the board was based on work he had completed for Zell on the other developed lots as well as work he had completed for the owners of the solar array. However, when pressed he said he could dig test pits for this project also.

            Davignon said his goal of attending the meeting on this night was to vet a number of waivers he would be seeking on behalf of his client. Those waivers are an engineering estimate for roadway materials, an impact statement, roadway turning radius, centerline of paved surface, stormwater-system setbacks, and granite curbing.

            The board, which included Chairperson Will Saltonstall, Vice Chairperson Andrew Daniel and members Chris Collings, Eileen Marum, and Kristin Saint Don-Campbell, as well as Town Planner Gil Hilario, took each waiver under advisement while also offering questions and concerns.

            Collings noted that a frequently asked waiver was one that eliminated granite curbs, wondering aloud if the town really wanted them everywhere or just in specific locations or on specific types of projects.

            Saltonstall said regarding stormwater detention ponds and setbacks, “Setbacks are created to protect abutters,” wanting to ensure that such systems performed as expected.

            Other comments were whether or not the subdivision should be serviced by a hammerhead roadway layout or a cul-de-sac. Davignon said he would discuss options with the fire chief and return with updated concepts.

            Davignon explained that public water supply in the area of the project came from Wareham and that accessing fresh water from that municipal system was cost-prohibitive. Fresh-water wells and septic systems are currently planned, but Marum expressed her concerns over contamination from the nearby cranberry bogs.

            Citing a 2005 study from the state of Wisconsin, Marum stated the study seemed to indicate the presence of cranberry-industry, agricultural chemicals in groundwater. With that in mind, she was concerned about the water quality on the Zell site. Davignon said he would look at the state setback requirements for cranberry bogs. Discussions will continue at the next Planning Board meeting.

            Earlier in the evening, the board members approved an ANR application filed by Albert and Julie Meninno for property located at 36 Main Street. Also represented by Davignon, the request would separate the residential house lot from a commercial parking lot that has long been used by St. Gabriel’s Church. Davignon said the parking lot would permanently become part of the church’s holdings, while the home, which is currently under a purchase and sales agreement, will be sold.

            Noting that the request had been before the Zoning Board of Appeals and received a variance, the Planning Board unanimously voted to support the application.

            A Special Permit application filed by Daniel Gibbs for 459 Mill Street was withdrawn, Saltonstall said. However, the applicant has refiled and will be heard on September 21 at 7:05 pm.

            The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, September 21, at 7:00 pm via Zoom.

Marion Planning Board

By Marilou Newell

CORRECTION

            A reporting error in the October 22 edition of The Wanderer misstated two actions of the Marion Planning Board during its October 19 meeting. During the public hearing for Saltworks Marine, LLC, the Planning Board approved the site plan review for two temporary boat storage shelters at 288 Wareham Street. The approval for the temporary construction is capped at two years. The building code requires Dan Crete, owner of Saltworks Marine, LLC, to seek the approval of Building Commissioner Scott Shippey for a special permit every 180 days. Also, an application made to the Zoning Board of Appeals for work proposed at 12 Emils Way was discussed by the Planning Board because the latter had received a request from the ZBA for comment.

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