The Marion Planning Board met on Monday for a continued public hearing on an amendment to the site plan and special permit request for Toll Brothers, Inc.’s work at 78 Wareham Road and further discussion on Marion’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) draft bylaw.
There was short talk on the Toll Brothers’ development, the Wareham Road lot purchased from developer Matthew Zuker in July, and while seeking to continue development, there have been some proposed amendments to the plans. For instance, the new developer still wants the originally approved 48 dwellings, although now all would be single family, rather than containing 12 duplexes as was originally planned by Zuker last year. This public hearing was continued to Monday, October 6, per request from the Toll Brothers.
Discussion quickly moved on to the Planning Board’s discussion and correction of their MS4 bylaw draft. Much of the talk at this revolved around environmental concerns, such as tree removals and water runoff. Chair Andrew Daniel said he wanted to ward against the “disturbance of vegetation” and to focus on a “minimalistic approach” in their landscape plans. This was not only to protect the local flora, Daniel said, but to maximize water absorption into the soil.
For wording, “maintenance and improvement” drew some concerns. This, according to the Planning Board, could be stretched to mean many different things, including tree removal if deemed necessary to maintain power lines or even road widening, both of which would negate water absorption and affect runoff. The board agreed there needs to be definitions for the words within the bylaw, such as to specify what exact maintenance can be done.
Discussion and further examination remain of the draft bylaw. Daniel stated this will continue at the next meeting. He added that Town Counsel completed its review of the bylaw and had sent it back to the town with minor corrections.
For more information on Massachusetts’ MS4 guidelines, you can visit the state’s EPA page at: www.epa.gov/npdes-permits/massachusetts-small-ms4-general-permit. Per the town, for a mapped-out view of Marion’s water and sewer resources, you can visit: stormwater.buzzardsbay.org/newmap.html.
The next meeting of the Marion Planning Board is scheduled for Monday, October 6 at 7:00 pm at the Marion Police Department.
Marion Planning Board
By Sam Bishop