In the Rochester Planning Board meeting held on August 11, Phil Cordeiro of Allen and Major Associates Inc. came before the board to provide updates on the planned developments on Cranberry Highway. Cordeiro joined the hybrid meeting via Zoom to represent the application filed by Steen Realty and Development.
After a meeting with the Rochester Conservation Commission last week, Cordeiro reported that their work with the commission had resulted in a conclusion of their discussion in terms of stormwater conditions. Cordeiro explained that though proactive work with the commission’s review engineer, Henry Nover, his team was able to address all of the concerns put forth. Cordeiro hopes that the next meeting with the commission will result in a positive order of conditions and ultimately conclude the conservation side of the planning.
From an engineering perspective, Cordeiro moved to submit an updated plan to the board’s peer-review engineer to address any concerns that were brought up, and he expressed his hope that a response to those plans would come toward the end of the week. The peer review would allow Cordeiro to make the needed changes to his plans in order to satisfy the conditions required to obtain the necessary waivers and satisfy his team’s engineering requirements.
One new potential addition to the site could be a Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority bus stop at the site. Phil Cordeiro and Ken Steen have been working with GATRA to determine the ideal location for the bus stop and bus shelter at the site. The proposed bus would provide alternative access to and from the Middleboro/Lakeville commuter rail stop.
Ultimately, the main problem stalling the project is the traffic review for the site. “The board was engaging traffic-review consultants to review the entry conflict off of Route 58 relative to the Seasons Corner Market near the development,” said Cordeiro. “As I understand it, the peer-review consultant has not been fully engaged as of yet.”
The conflict surrounding the access point has lingered since the board brought up concerns surrounding the turning radius for trucks entering Route 58. After numerous delays and multiple design proposals for the access point, the development is still at a halt. Cordeiro asked Town Planner Steve Starrett if there had been any updates to the traffic review. Starrett explained that two different traffic-consulting firms had said they would be willing to undertake the review of the plans, but that the board had yet to choose a consultant. With that, the board voted to continue the project until its next meeting pending a traffic review and a response from its review engineer.
The Rochester Planning Board moved to address an application submitted by Greg Carey pertaining to his proposed solar array located at Sarah Sherman Road. Carey explained that since the last meeting with the board he had been issued a letter stating that he successfully complied with any comments and that there were no outstanding issues related to the proposed plans.
Carey also provided the board with copies of signed easement agreements from the abutting property owners. The added vegetative easements to the site will satisfy the concerns from neighbors and effectively shield the solar array from abutting properties.
Satisfied with the current plans, the board went through a number of bonds and waivers pertaining to the project that were necessary for its ultimate approval. The board approved bonds relating to stormwater maintenance and landscaping upkeep. In addition, the members unanimously voted to waive requirements relating to traffic studies, maintenance plans, and vehicular emergency access, as Carey had made sufficient explanation for the need of those waivers in his proposal.
The Rochester Planning board voted to close the public hearing on the matter and await the draft resolution that would be brought before them at the board’s next meeting. With the conditions satisfied, Chairman Arnold Johnson explained that the project would very likely achieve full approval in early September, which would allow the development of the site to go forward.
With the public hearings concluded, the board addressed internal business. After over a month of hybrid meetings, with access provided in person at the Rochester Middle School and via Zoom, the board discussed whether or not now is the right time to make the transition back to full, in-person meetings.
Johnson initially proposed the idea but sought insight from other board members about their feelings toward the hybrid meetings. Though he stated that he prefers in-person meetings, board member Ben Bailey explained that the Zoom access provided a convenience for members who may not be able to attend in person. Town Planner Steve Starrett agreed and added that the addition of Zoom did not hinder the capacity of the meetings in any way and ultimately allowed for more participation.
The board agreed to continue with the hybrid meetings but decided to revisit the subject in September. The next meeting of the Rochester Planning Board is set to take place on Tuesday, August 25, at 7:00 pm.
Rochester Planning Board
By Matthew Donato