MINUTES - Joint Public Hearing with Planning Board - 10/21/2004 CITY OF SALEM 599
OCTOBER 21, 2004
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD
A Public Hearing of the City Council and Planning Board was held in the Council
Chamber on Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 6:00 P.M. for the purpose of discussing a
proposed Zoning Amendment for a parcel of land consisting of 1.76 acres situated on 319
Highland Avenue, and amending Chapter 5-2 Permitted Uses and Chapter 7-8 Accessory
Buildings and Structures. Notice of this meeting was posted on October 15, 2004 at
11:52 A.M. and advertised in the Salem News on October 7 & 14, 2004.
Councillors Bencal and O'Keefe were recorded as absent
Council President Leonard F. O'Leary presided.
On the matter of the proposed Zoning Amendment for the parcel of land located
at 319 Highland Avenue.
Council President O'Leary asked if there was anyone appearing in favor.
Attorney Joseph Correnti, 63 Federal Street, representative for the Loyal Order of
Moose and the Richmond Company are asking to extend the B-2 Zone. The Moose has
decided to sell the property to the Richmond Company. A representative from the
Richmond Company is present Mr. David Latullip, Richmond Company Convenient
Store developer and Walter Utizy, owner of Irving Oil Company. What's proposed for
this property is a Convenient Store with oil dispensing and a bank. It will be a single
building, two thirds of the building will be a store the rest a bank.
Attorney Correnti made a presentation of the area where the B-2 Zone is and the
area where the proposed extension at the corner of Highland Avenue and Swampscott
Road (319 Highland Avenue).
They propose a right hand turn onto Highland Avenue, a portion of the land
would be given to provide this lane. GPI did the Traffic Study.
Mr. David Latulippe, Richmond Company convenient store developer stated open
area on Highland Avenue for right turn in and right turn out. Bank will have a drive
through.
Mr. Walter Utizy Owner of Irving Oil, stated that Irving Oil is a family owned
Corporation. It is owned entirely by two brothers, 3rd generation. They are the best run
stores, best service and cleanest. We become a citizen in your community. The store is
state of the art 32,000 square feet. Irving Oil is one of the two largest oil terminals in
Boston. Safety wise has been developed fifteen times due to what if's. Traffic is a big
consideration so we hired the best for a traffic study.
600 CITY OF SALEM
OCTOBER 21, 2004
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD
Councillor O'Leary asked what bank will be going in there.
Mr. Utizy stated he can't answer that yet.
Mr. Art Scarneo —GPI Traffic Study, design consultant, stated along Route 107,
Highland Avenue, closed loop system, we're working with Massachusetts Highway. A
lot of traffic is in this area, and putting a facility in there would need careful study. In the
evening hours there's a very high volume of traffic. Irving Oil is donating 10-12 feet of
land for a better flow of traffic. We have a Traffic Study.
Councillor Sargent asked how many cars can go into right hand lane.
Mr. Scarneo —stated not go on the right hand turn about 12 cars, twenty feet per
vehicle is about 200 feet. One hundred sixty four (164) during peak hours trying to make
right hand turn.
Councillor Sosnowski stated same intersection exiting, people exiting cross lanes
and at Highland Avenue at higher rate of speed.
Mr. Scarneo stated it will function as a deceleration lane. Speeds will decrease.
Rear end accidents should decrease. Traffic is like water least resistance.
Councillor O'Leary asked what about truck traffic?
Mr. Scarneo that this was factored into the Traffic Study.
Councillor Lovely stated that Mass. Highway was asked about the timing of
lights.
Mr. Scarneo stated 75 percent a project gives more pressure to have Mass.
Highway move on expediting this.
Councillor Lovely thinks its great to have a dedicated lane. Looking for a
decelerate line up near the turn for Home Depot.
Mr. Utizy stated that they have a stations in New Hampshire, North Hampton
Councillor Lovely asked about fuel prices.
Mr. Eutize state that Irving Oil is very competitive.
Councillor Sargent asked what would be the hours of operation?
CITY OF SALEM 601
OCTOBER 21, 2004
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD
Mr. Utizy stated we would come back before you if business does not dictate. We
don't look for 24 hours. We probably look for 5:00 A.M. to 12 midnight. Market will
decide.
Councillor Veno asked Traffic Engineer Mr. Scarneo regarding the right turn lane
will land be an easement?
Mr. Scarneo stated it will cost the city nothing "0". We will have a land damage
agreement and donate it to the State.
Councillor Veno stated a similar situation in my Ward. You're helping us and
working constructively with officials.
Councillor Pelletier stated Traffic light timing will they all be green at same time?
Mr. Scarneo —stated they can control 35 miles per hour, can start a platoon for
getting through the lights.
Mr. Walter Powers of the Planning Board introduced the members of the Planning
Board, Christine Sullivan, Charles Puleo, Paul Duran, Gene Collins, John Moustakis.
They need to leave due to a meeting.
Paul Cutler resident lives in condos behind Home Depot, It is convenient living
there except there's no place to get gas. This is great and a welcome change.
Dennis Colbert—resident, this is a boom to the neighborhood and the right hand
turn is a good idea.
Councillor Lovely—stated she has an email for the record from a Christine
Rodriguez of Brittania Circle, who is opposed. She could not attend tonight.
Lenny—East Coast properties, Highland Condos and Cloister Condos are in
favor.
For the record Charlie Sinclair from Moose Lodge is present.
Councillor Lovely moved the Hearing be closed. It was so voted.
Councillor Lovely moved that the matter be referred to the Planning Board for
their recommendation. It was so voted.
Councillor Harvey thanked Irving Oil and team for this kind of team effort and
working with the city and doing this the right way.
602 CITY OF SALEM
OCTOBER 21, 2004
JOINT PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE PLANNING BOARD
Councillor O'Leary concurs with Councillor Harvey.
The Matters of Zoning Ordinance Ch. 5-2 permitted uses and Ch. 7-8, Accessory
Buildings and Structures were not discussed but referred to the Planning Board for their
recommendation.
On the motion of Councillor Pelletier the meeting was adjourned at 7:00 P.M.
ATTEST: CHERYL A. LAPOINTE
CITY CLERK