Rye Planning Board Saturday, October 26, 2013 10:00 a.m. Minutes of the Site Walk 511 Wallis Road Rand Lumber Members Present: Chairman William Epperson, Clerk Ray Tweedie, Mel Low, Jerry Gittlein, Alternate Jeffrey Quinn and Selectmen s Rep Priscilla Jenness. Others Present: Christian Smith Beals Associates, John O Neill Applicant, Planning Administrator Kimberly Reed and members of the public. Chairman Epperson called the site walk meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. He stated that it is a public meeting and any questions/comments should be directed to him. He would like to make sure that all questions are addressed. Christian Smith, Beals Associates, spoke on behalf of the applicant. He stated that the surveyor has stationed the road out at 100ft intervals. He pointed out the flag at the front that gives an indication of exactly where the center line of the proposed drive is located. It is lined up between the two homes across the road. The flag at the fence is station 100. Directly adjacent to that, at approximately 150ft in length, is where the first drainage treatment is going to be located. It will be a raingarden or bio-retention pond. It does not look like a big detention pond. The filtration media is below that and it will be planted with shrubs and ground coverage. He pointed out the brush that will be cleared out and the grade that will be changed slightly. Chairman Epperson asked the depth of the pond. Mr. Smith replied that the depth will be about 3ft, however, there is sand and compost at the bottom. The actual depression will be about 1ft. The width will be approximately 50ft. Keith Eveland, 82 Liberty Common, asked if the runoff will settle in this area and be handled by the pond. 1
Mr. Eveland asked if that size of a pond has been proven to be effective for the amount of runoff in this area. Mr. Smith explained that there are very scientific methods by which the ponds have to be designed. Chairman Epperson commented that a study has been done that is part of the applicant s packet. The public is welcome to review the study. The Planning Board relies on the Town Engineers to review the study and give their opinion. Member Tweedie noted that the applicant has started an escrow with the Town. This covers the review by the Town Engineers. Mr. Smith pointed out station 200 and the existing culvert. He commented that this is a low point. This is just to keep the water and convey it underneath the driveway. Chairman Epperson questioned the grade. Mr. Smith explained they are downhill from Patriots Way through the entire project. Alternate Quinn asked the length and width of the road. Mr. Smith replied that the road is just over 1000ft. The width is 24ft. The group continued the site walk up the proposed center line of the road. Mr. Smith noted that the existing fire hydrant may be replaced. The first proposed fire hydrant for the subdivision is around station 550. The group stopped at station 400 in the location of unit 1 on the right. Sandra Quinlan, Kittery, ME, asked if it is an open or closed drainage system. Mr. Smith explained it is open at the end but there is a system of catch basins that deliver water out to the proposed constructed gravel wetland. The site walk continued along the proposed road. Mr. Smith stopped the group at station 500. He pointed out on the plan the first series of catch basins located in the area. He reviewed the flow of the runoff. He also pointed out the location of the first proposed fire hydrant. The site walk continued into the development on the center line. Mr. Smith asked the group to notice how much lower they are compared to the houses on Wallis Road. 2
Referring to their general location, Alternate Quinn asked if all construction would be in the bowl. Alternate Quinn asked the difference in elevation from Patriots Way to where the construction is going to be. Mr. Smith replied it is approximately 12 to 14ft. The group continued. Mr. Smith pointed out station 750 and the catch basins in this area. These catch basins collect anything from the hammerhead on down. Referring to the berm on the back side of the proposed homes, Chairman Epperson asked if there was a threat for runoff once they are constructed. Mr. Smith explained that the way it is graded the water will be taken to the inlets that are provided for the two catch basins. Selectman Jenness asked if any of the berm is higher than the land. Mr. Smith replied no. Regarding the hammerhead, Member Low asked if there was any chance to make it a circle. This will avoid people having to back out. Mr. Smith explained that the size of a municipal cul-de-sac is very large in comparison to the hammerhead. It would push the clearing, roadway and cutting of the slope towards Patriots Way. It would also encroach into the wetland buffers. He noted that this will be a very low traffic road. Member Low stated that they could always ask for an exception if something is designed that would be easier for the residents and Towns people. Member Tweedie stated that the hammerhead will allow for safety equipment to come in and out. Chairman Epperson pointed out that they have discussed some alternatives, such as a teardrop with the right radius that would not encroach on Patriots Way. Mr. Smith stated that the design that they are proposing mirrors the one on Patriots Way. John Capron, Hampton, asked if the site has been tested for any contaminants. 3
Mr. Smith explained that an environmental scientist has been in to do soil sampling. The water tables and the test pits are done by the soil scientist. The report has been completed and a copy of the report has been submitted to the Building Department. Jerry Forte, Patriots Way, stated that there was a lot of talk about a crash gate going into Patriots Way. He asked where this stood. Chairman Epperson stated that the public has voiced their objection to that. There is a fall back proposal that does not necessitate that. Mr. Smith commented that the design with the hammerhead is the one that they are moving forward with. Referring to the hammerhead, Chairman Epperson commented that it absolutely cannot become a parking lot. Mr. Smith stated that there would be signage to that effect and police enforcement. He pointed out that they are standing at station 800. He also pointed out units 15 and 19. Station 900 is located on the existing fill/excavation pile. He noted that all the stockpile material will go away. Some of it will be used for the road base and general fill. Mr. Smith stopped the group at station 1000. He pointed out the flag marking the center of the road. The second hydrant is located about 20ft back on the opposite side of the road facing Wallis Road. He pointed out where the flares start for the hammerhead turnaround. Mr. Eveland asks for clarification on the location of the back of the hammerhead. Mr. Smith reviewed the area for Mr. Eveland. Member Tweedie asked if the area will be cleaned up with a natural separation left between the development and Patriots Way. Alternate Quinn asked the location of the property line. Mr. Smith pointed out the stonewall that represents the line. The site walk continued. Dave Hickey, Ocean Boulevard, asked about the landscaping. Mr. Smith explained that it will be seeded. They will probably plant some additional trees. 4
John O Neil, Applicant, spoke in regards to the landscaping, which is being done by Terra Landscaping. Mr. Smith addressed questions asked by Brenda Kelly and Sandra Quinlan. Steve Quinlan, Kittery, ME, asked the average size of the lots. Mr. Smith explained that there are no lots. The homes are limited to 1800sf. The developable area is just under 7 acres. That is for the units, grading and features. The conservation easement area is 61% of the proposal. Mrs. Quinlan asked if some of the homes will be bigger than others. Mr. Smith pointed out that Mr. O Neil has a number of actual footprints and building plans that meet the criteria for the development. Mrs. Kelly clarified that they may not all be the same. Mr. Quinlan asked if the units will have basements. Mr. O Neil confirmed. Some of the basements will have daylight windows. There was some discussion on drains in the basements. Mrs. Quinlan asked if the homes have two car garages. There was some discussion on Geothermal systems. Chairman Epperson stated that the Geothermal is a really good idea. It is very efficient and long term it is the right way to go. There will need to be some discussion about whether it will be an open or closed system, however, there is no difference in the way that it works. Both are very efficient. Mrs. Kelly asked if it is known where the groundwater is. Mr. O Neil explained that Geothermal does not have much to do with the groundwater. The wells are 300ft so they are much below that. The groundwater has been established for every unit. The groundwater goes from 10ft to as little as 3ft. Mr. Quinlan asked if there would be signage or a monument for the development. 5
It is unsure as to what that will be at this time. There was more discussion about the Geothermal system. Planning Administrator Reed suggested that if anyone has questions on Geothermal that they should contact Michele Sopher of the Rye Energy Committee who is very informed on the systems and how they conserve energy. Gordon LaBonte, Rye, asked if there would be individual septic systems for each unit with individual wells for the Geothermal system. Chairman Epperson asked how big the water mains are for the proposal. Mr. Smith stated that they do not know for certain. However, he did have correspondence with Ken Aspen at the Rye Water District. The mains in Patriots and Liberty Common are 8 inch. That will probably be what this will be. Chairman Epperson reconvened the meeting at the beginning of the road where the site walk began. He commented that most of the questions have been answered. He pointed out that there will be another meeting on November 12 th, which will be a public hearing. There will be time for the public to ask further questions. He asked if there were any further comments or questions at this time. Mr. Forte asked the timeline for the start of construction. Chairman Epperson explained it is a preliminary application. He cannot answer that question at this time. Mr. Smith stated that the applicant is targeting spring of 2014. Adjournment Motion by Ray Tweedie to adjourn the site walk at 10:51 p.m. Seconded by Jerry Gittlein. All in favor. Respectfully Submitted, Dyana F. Ledger 6