Town of
Turner, Maine
Planning Board Minutes
September 9,
2009
1
CALL TO ORDER
Called to order at
7:00pm by Chairman Mr. Gregg Varney.
Mr. Varney then read the agenda.
Those Members present were Mr. Varney, Mark Morris, Roy
Nickerson, Raymond Lavoie, Shirley Twitchell, Margaret Imber
and Mr. R. Edward Morris. Planner,
John Maloney was present this evening.
CEO, Roger Williams was also present this evening.
2 OLD
BUSINESS:
A
HANNAFORD SITE REVIEW-GENE UHUAD-MAINE DOT
Mr. Gene Uhuad
from the Maine DOT is present this evening to review this project. Mr. Uhuad
stated that an entrance permit at Snell
Hill Road and Route 4 has been granted. It has been determined that a
signal would need to be installed at this intersection.
Mr. Uhuad then stated that an
accident study has indicated that the accident rate at the
intersection of Route 117 and Route 4 is going down.
At this time no signal is proposed at the intersection of
Route 117 and Route 4. Mr. Uhuad
stated that the entrance on Snell
Hill Road would have interrupted flow
relieving the flow on Route 117.
There will be finite time gaps for those trying to cross Route
117. Mr. Uhuad
then stated that Route 117 would be watched for approximately six
months to a year to see if the traffic flow could possibly warrant an
additional signal. Mr. Uhuad
stated that the accident pattern would be closely monitored.
Mr. Uhuad referred to an accident rate study done in
Norridgewock, which captured the accident patters. Mr. Uhuad
stated that the current accident study in Turner at the intersection
of Route 117 and Route 4 indicated that five out of eight accidents
were angle collisions. There was then a discussion
regarding how a high accident rate could require an additional
signal. Mr. Varney stated that Mr. Uhuad had stated the accident rate was going
down. Mr. Peter Hedrich
from Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers,
Inc. stated that, yes; the accident rate has gone down.
At the intersection of Route 117 and Route 4 there were four
accidents in 2006, two accidents in 2007 and two accidents in 2008. The data for 2009 is not
currently available. Ms.
Imber made the point that this information
may not be accurate do to the fact that Route 117 had been under
construction for quite awhile. There was then some
discussion regarding alternate routes being taken during the time of
construction and upon completion of the construction and the
inconvenience to the town. Ms. Imber
asked if there were any models to project the traffic flow in and
around this area. Mr. Hedrich
stated that there were no models, but his prediction was that the
volume on the side streets would be very little.
Mr. Hedrick stated that there should only be a 16 second delay
on a Saturday and a 12 second delay on a weekday.
There was then some discussion regarding the fact that Turner
is a rural farming community and that Hannaford should consider the
measurement of effect that this project will have on the community.
Mr. Varney then asked Mr. Uhuad what
effect this traffic light would have on cars going in and out of B
& A Variety. Mr. Uhuad
stated that this traffic light should make it safer. It will constitute a right in
and a right out with a dedicated left turn lane.
There was some concern that B & A Variety would lose
business because of this project.
Owner of B & A Variety, Ms. Joan Bryant-Deschenes,
is concerned that there will be no real way in or out of her
business. Mr. Deschenes
also stated that a confusing traffic pattern would lead to more
accidents. Mr. Uhuad
stated that some of the traffic leaving B & A Variety would have
to divert around the store to exit safely.
Ms. Deschenes stated that customers
would not follow this pattern. Mr. Varney stated that a
solution must be found regarding the entrance and exit to this
business. Mr. Warren Clark who lives on
Snell Hill Road
stated that he has narrowly missed being in a collision(s) with
vehicles exiting the B & A Variety.
Mr. Angelo Terreri stated that he had concerns with trucks
driving down the hill on Route 4 going 60 miles an hour and then
having to stop at a traffic light. There was then the discussion
regarding the possibility of cross walks installed on Route 4. Mr. Uhuad
stated that a crosswalk could only be installed if the speed limit
was no greater then 35 MPH and would be installed only at the traffic
signal. Mr. R. Edward Morris stated
that the speed limit now on Route 4 in this area is 50 MPH.
Ms. Twitchell stated that she feels
that a crosswalk is a good idea, but wonders how to make it a safe
intersection. Mr. Uhuad
stated that a safe launching and landing must be installed and that a
pedestrian button could be used.
Mr. Hedrich stated that the average person walks 3
and ½ feet per second and that it should take a person 18
seconds to cross the intersection and that the pedestrian crossing
time could be set to 21 seconds.
Mr. Maloney asked what type of wires/cameras would be
installed at this intersection. Mr. Uhuad
stated he did not know at this time.
Mr. Hedrich stated that he believed wires on a
straight pole, detection micro waves, advanced detection, video
detection and cameras or a combination of the above could be used at
this intersection. Ms. Eva Leavitt, the Town
Manager, stated that she is doing research regarding an LED flashing
strobe light to possibly be installed.
She will be talking to the city of Auburn
regarding this type of light. Ms.
Imber stated that she was under the impression
that MDOT had stated that there would never be a traffic light
installed between Auburn and Livermore. Is the MDOT now changing
their policy? Mr. Uhuad
stated that the installation of this traffic light meets the warrants
and it has been determined that it is needed.
Without this traffic light the level of service would be E,
which is not good. There was then a discussion
regarding development in the Town of Turner
and MDOTs involvement in this
development. Mr Uhuad stated if a town allows for development
the MDOT needs to incorporate a traffic movement process which allows
for mobility and safety and that the MDOT tries to be conservative. Mr. Hedrich
stated that the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection
of Snell Hill Road
and Route 4 does not necessarily mean a traffic signal being
installed at the intersection of Route 117 and Route 4 in the future. There was then a discussion
regarding the stacking of vehicles and painted safety arrows.
Mr. Maloney asked about a maintenance agreement and the
involvement of the MDOT. Mr.
Uhuad stated the Town of Turner
and Hannaford Brothers should negotiate this agreement. There was then a discussion
regarding the maintenance of the video equipment.
Ms. Leavitt quoted the fee of $68.00 for a private visit by a
repairperson and a fee of
$204.00 for a maintenance visit.
The question then arose, who pays the light bill?
Ms. Leavitt stated a contract would need to be worked out. Mr. Tyler Sterling stated
that Hannaford Brothers would be responsible.
Recess taken from 8:12pm
until 8:17pm.
B
IMBER PUBLIC HEARING REVIEW
Ms. Imber was
not present at the Public Hearing and Planning Board meeting, which
took place on July 8, 2009. Ms.
Imber stated that she has reviewed the
Minutes from the Public Hearing and the Planning Board meeting.
Ms. Imber also stated that she has listened to the
audiotape from the July 8, 2009 Public Hearing and Planning Board
meeting.
C
EXTENSION OF PROJECT REVIEW PROCESS
Mr. Varney stated that the Planning Board
has granted an extension of the project review process for Hannaford
Bros.
D
DEP COMMENTS
Mr. Maloney stated the Town of Turner could submit the DEP
notification if so moved for the Hannaford Bros. Project.
E
LEGAL OPINIONS
Mr. Maloney stated that two provisions
have been presented by Norman J. Rattey,
Esq., the Town of Turners
attorney regarding the Hannaford Bros. Project.
These provisions will be attached to this evenings
Minutes.
F
SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING-HANNAFORD PROJECT
The Planning Board agreed to hold a Public
Hearing on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 7:00pm with regards to the
Hannaford Bros. project. A
regular Planning Board meeting will be held after the Public Hearing.
G
REVIEW OF STANDARDS
Mr. Maloney stated that Mr. Tyler Sterling
of Hannaford Bros. Co. was present at the Planning Board Workshop
held on September 2, 2009. Mr.
Maloney stated that he had prepared a Site Plan Review, Preliminary
Review of Site Plan Standards. This
review is in a draft format. Mr.
Maloney stated that the Standards reviewed on pages 1 through 22
would be deferred until further notice.
Mr. Maloney referred to page 22 of this draft referring to
Pedestrian and Trail Access Standard. The following discussion took
place regarding this Standard. Ms.
Imber referred to Section 5.E.4 and stated
that this Section states pedestrian access shall be provided. Mr. Maloney added the words
safe access. There
was then some discussion regarding walking trail access as well as
sidewalk access. Mr. Varney stated there
should be a crosswalk on Route 4 as well as a walkway to the store.
Mr. Sterling stated that it was not clear if a crosswalk is
even allowed. Mr.
Sterling stated that he would provide additional information at the
next meeting regarding this issue.
Ms. Imber suggested a cross
walk/sidewalk plan. The
Board Members agreed. Mr.
Varney stated that he wants to see a proposal that connects all of
the dots. Mr. Doug Boyce of Hannaford
Brothers stated that a safe landing and receiving piece of sidewalk
to ground level where no cars go could be considered.
Mr. Varney suggested that the applicant get creative.
This Standard will be further discussed.
Mr. Maloney then reviewed the Off-Street Parking Standard. Seeing no discussion Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to accept the Off-Street Parking Standard. Mr. Lavoie seconded the
motion. The Board Members voted
unanimously to accept the Off-Street Parking Standard.
The review of the Surface Water Standard will be deferred
until further notice. Mr. Maloney then reviewed the
Conservation, Erosion and Sediment Control Standard.
Mr. Maloney stated that he had received a report form his
co-worker, Ferg Lea regarding this standard. After review of this report
Mr. Maloney stated that he believes this standard has been met. Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to accept the Conservation, Erosion and Sediment
Control Standard. Mr.
Lavoie seconded the motion. The
Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Conservation, Erosion
and Sediment Control Standard. Mr. Maloney stated that input
from the public at the next Public Hearing could have bearing on this
Standard. Mr. Varney stated that if
need be, the Planning Board could make a motion to
reconsider this Standard. Mr.
Maloney then reviewed the Standard for Phosphorous Export.
Mr. Maloney believes that this Standard should be found not
applicable. The Board Members agreed. Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to find Standard for Phosphorous Export not applicable. Mr. Lavoie seconded the
motion. The Board Members voted
unanimously to find the Standard for Phosphorous Export not
applicable. Mr. Maloney reviewed the
Standards for Site Conditions. Mr.
Maloney referred to Section C.1.1 and stated that there were 2
Conditions associated with this Standard.
These Conditions basically regarded stump and earth removal.
Ms. Twitchell made a motion to accept the Site
Conditions Standard with 2 Conditions.
Mr. Lavoie seconded the motion.
The Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Site
Conditions Standards with 2 Conditions.
Mr. Maloney then reviewed the Signs Standard.
Mr. Maloney stated that there would be 1 freestanding sign and
1 structural sign. The CEO would issue the sign
permit. Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to accept the Sign Standard.
Mr. Lavoie seconded the motion.
The Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Sign
Standard. The Standard for Special
Features has been deferred until further notice.
Mr. Maloney then reviewed the Exterior Lighting Standard. There was a short discussion
regarding foot-candles. Mr.
Boyce stated that a foot-candle is a method of calibrating light in
an area, especially in the parking lot.
It was stated that if any of the neighbors have a problem with
the lighting that there would be a violation to this Standard.
Ms. Twitchell made a motion to accept the Exterior
Lighting Standard. Mr.
Lavoie seconded the motion. The
Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Exterior Lighting
Standard. Mr. Maloney then reviewed the
Emergency Vehicle Access Standard.
Ms. Twitchell made a motion to accept the Emergency
Vehicle Access Standard. Mr.
Lavoie seconded the motion. The
Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Vehicle
Access Standard. Mr. Maloney reviewed the
Municipal Services Standard with 1 Condition.
This Condition stated that the applicant would be responsible
to pay the cost for operation, maintenance and repair of the traffic
signal at the Route 4/Snell Hill Road
intersection. There was
then a discussion regarding public safety.
Ms. Eva Leavitt stated that since Turner has no police force
the Sheriffs Department responds to Turners needs on odd
months and the State Police responds to Turners needs on even
months. Ms. Leavitt also
stated that both departments are very visible on Route 4 and the
response time is short. The
funding for this coverage for the Sheriffs Department comes out
of the Androscoggin County tax bill. There is no financial
involvement with the State Police Department.
Ms. Imber was concerned about future response times. There was then a discussion
regarding response times in other towns that had recently opened
Hannaford stores. It was stated that it was too
early to have any answers to response times.
Mr. Sterling then stated that the tax revenue to the town of Turner would be approximately
$60,000.00. There was
then some discussion regarding the cost of the maintenance to the
light camera. There was then a discussion
regarding the possibility of $35,000.00 donation being put in an
escrow account for the possible addition of a traffic signal at the
intersections of Route 117 and Route 4.
Mr. Sterling stated that Hannaford Bros. is not responsible
for funding any future signal at the intersections of Route 117 and
Route 4. Ms. Helen
Edmonds, an attorney with Pierce Atwood then addressed the Planning
Board. Ms. Edmonds stated that
contributions for future improvements at this intersection are not
required because the MDOT has not specifically requested a traffic
signal at the intersections of Route 117 and Route 4.
Mr. Varney suggested that this not be called a donation but be
classified as an impact fee. The discussion
turned to the possibility of making this signal a strobe type. Ms. Leavitt stated that the
current ordinance really does not address traffic signals.
There was additional discussion regarding the adverse impact
resulting from this project. Ms.
Twitchell made a motion to accept Municipal
Services Standard. Mr.
Lavoie seconded the motion. Ms.
Twitchell then withdrew her motion, as did
Mr. Lavoie. Ms. Twitchell
made a new motion to accept the Municipal Services Standard with 1
Condition. Mr. Lavoie
seconded the motion. The
Board Members voted unanimously to accept the Municipal Services
Standard with 1 Condition. Standards
for Water Supply and Ground Water will be deferred until further
notice. Mr. Maloney then reviewed the
Standard for Air Emission. Ms.
Twitchell made a motion to accept the
Standard for Air Emission. Mr. Lavoie seconded the
motion. The Board Members voted
unanimously to accept the Air Emission Standard.
Mr. Maloney reviewed the Standard for Odor Control with 1
Condition. This Condition basically
stated that the CEO would enforce this Standard if there were any
complaints. Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to accept the Standard for Odor Control with 1
Condition. Mr. Lavoie seconded the
motion. The Board Members voted
unanimously to accept the Standard for Odor Control with 1 Condition.
Mr. Maloney then reviewed the Standard for Noise with 1
Condition. This Condition basically
stated that within six months from the date of opening the applicant
shall conduct an environmental sound evaluation.
There was then a discussion regarding increased traffic noise,
trucks running while unloading and snow plowing noise.
Mr. Maloney then referred to page 5-25 and determined that
another Condition could be added if this Standard were exceeded.
It was then stated that safety signals on equipment are
exempt. There was continued
discussion regarding noise. It
was stated that trees and the building itself would help to deaden
sound. It was suggested
that there be a no idling policy implemented. There was then a discussion
regarding refrigerated trucks running while unloading.
The Hannaford Bros. Representatives were not aware of the
refrigerated trucks not being turned off.
This issue will have to be looked into by Hannaford Bros.
Ms. Twitchell suggested the
possibility of an additional Condition with regards to noise.
Mr. Varney then stated that the Turner
Town Ordinance states the Planning Board Meeting shall not go beyond
10:00pm. The Board Members agreed that
this meeting would continue on October 7, 2009 at 7:00pm.
3
NEW
BUSINESS:
None.
4
OTHER
BUSINESS
None.
5
CEO
REPORT
No action required.
6
REVIEW
OF THE MINUTES FROM AUGUST 12, 2009
Ms. Twitchell
made a motion to accept the Minutes from the August 12, 2009 Planning
Board meeting. Mr. Lavoie
seconded the motion. The
Board Members voted unanimously to accept the August 12, 2009
Planning Board Minutes.
7
REVIEW
OF PLANNER ESCROW
No action required.
8
OTHER ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
None.
9
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Ms. Twitchell
for adjournment, unanimously accepted.
The meeting adjourned at 9:57pm.
Respectfully submitted by
Karen Wilcox