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Minutes for Planning Board on September 20, 2007, 06:30 PM
City of Lowell - Planning Board
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 6:30 P.M.
City Council Chambers, City Hall
City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA
Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For further detail, video recordings are available at the
Division of Planning & Development, 50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA
Members Present
Thomas Linnehan, Chairman
Joseph Clermont, Vice Chairman
Richard Lockhart, Second Vice Chairman
Gerard Frechette, Member
Stephen Gendron, Member
Others
Aaron Clausen, Associate Planner
Prior to the start of normal business Chairman Linnehan turned the floor to Member Gendron who requested that
the board observe a moment of silence for Fireman Kelly Page. The request was unanimously approved by the
Board and observed by all in attendance.
Planning Board Minutes
Approval of Minutes: July 16, 2007
Motion
R. Lockhart motioned and G. Frechette seconded to APPROVE the above minutes. The motion passed with all
members voting in favor (5-0).
Approval of Minutes: August 20, 2007
Motion
G. Frechette motioned and R. Lockhart seconded to APPROVE the above minutes. The motion passed with all
members voting in favor (5-0).
Approval of Minutes: September 5, 2007
Motion
J. Clermont motioned and R. Lockhart seconded to CONTINUE the decision of the above minutes to allow time
to properly review them. The motion passed with all members voting in favor (5-0).
Public Hearings
Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lowell Planning Board held a Public Hearing to hear all
interested persons relative to an ordinance to amend “The Code of Ordinances City of Lowell, Massachusetts,” with
respect to Appendix A thereof entitled “Zoning.” The proposed Zoning Ordinance pertains to updates and
clarification of multiple sections of the code that include updated stormwater requirements for parking facilities and
other impervious surfaces and subdivision regulations in order to conform with Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection stormwater provisions, an update to special residential regulations for conversion of
historic buildings, clarification of criteria for special permits in the table of uses, and to update and clarify Article
12.1 table of residential uses as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 43D and established by the Lowell City Council. All
Planning Board members were present.
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 - Page 2
This item was continued from the September 6, 2007 Planning Board meeting to provide DPD staff to provide
clarification of changes to Section 12.1 of the zoning code.
The following individuals spoke in favor of the project:
None
The following individuals spoke in opposition of the project:
None
Board Discussion
The Board clarified with staff that the ‘N+’ in the Traditional Two-Family (TTF) district under Section 12.1 (b) of
the proposed amendment was a typo and is supposed to be a ‘Y+’, confirming the change would continue to allow
two-family dwellings ‘by right’ in the district. Member Gendron questioned staff as to the purpose of Section 9.4
Neighborhood Character Special Permit, A. Clausen pointed out that the intent is to provide greater review over
certain projects in order to preserve the unique spatial and architectural heritage of the traditional neighborhoods
and that by allowing multiple residential buildings on a single lot would provide incentive to preserve historic
buildings and provide a wider range of housing options.
The Board was concerned that the term ‘semi-detached residential dwelling’ remains confusing and recommended
that the zoning subcommittee discuss adding a definition to the zoning code and perhaps including an image or
diagram to help describe the housing type.
Motion:
Member Joseph Clermont moved and Member Richard Lockhart seconded and the Board voted unanimously (5-
0) to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance with an Amendment to Section 12.1 (b): changing the ‘N+’
under the Traditional Two Family (TTF) district to a ‘Y+’.
New Business
Annual Meeting Election of Officers:
The Planning Board will elect officers for the 2007/2008 Board Year. Positions to be elected include Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson, Second-Vice Chairperson, Representative to NMCOG, and Representative to the Historic Board.
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Thomas Linnehan as Chairperson.
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Joseph Clermont as Vice-Chairperson
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Richard Lockhart as Second Vice-Chairperson
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Gerard Frechette as the Representative to NMCOG
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Richard Lockhart as the Representative to the Historic Board
ZBA Notices
182 Riverside Street – a/k/a 97 University Ave.
Applicant: Metro Sign and Awning for The Lowell Five
Petition: for the internal illumination of overhanging and wall signs at Lowell Five bank branch according to
section 6.3.9 of the Zoning Ordinance.
R. Lockhart: Motion to recommend APPROVAL.
J. Clermont: Second the motion
All members voted in favor of APPROVAL (5-0)
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 - Page 3
These minutes were approved by the Planning Board on October 1, 2007
J. Clermont: Motion to approve
R. Lockhart: Second
All members voted in favor (4-0) with Member S. Gendron abstaining.
________________________________________________
Aaron Clausen, Associate Planner/Planning Board Administrator
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 6:30 P.M.
City Council Chambers, City Hall
City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA
Note: These minutes are not completed verbatim. For further detail, video recordings are available at the
Division of Planning & Development, 50 Arcand Drive, Lowell, MA
Members Present
Thomas Linnehan, Chairman
Joseph Clermont, Vice Chairman
Richard Lockhart, Second Vice Chairman
Gerard Frechette, Member
Stephen Gendron, Member
Others
Aaron Clausen, Associate Planner
Prior to the start of normal business Chairman Linnehan turned the floor to Member Gendron who requested that
the board observe a moment of silence for Fireman Kelly Page. The request was unanimously approved by the
Board and observed by all in attendance.
Planning Board Minutes
Approval of Minutes: July 16, 2007
Motion
R. Lockhart motioned and G. Frechette seconded to APPROVE the above minutes. The motion passed with all
members voting in favor (5-0).
Approval of Minutes: August 20, 2007
Motion
G. Frechette motioned and R. Lockhart seconded to APPROVE the above minutes. The motion passed with all
members voting in favor (5-0).
Approval of Minutes: September 5, 2007
Motion
J. Clermont motioned and R. Lockhart seconded to CONTINUE the decision of the above minutes to allow time
to properly review them. The motion passed with all members voting in favor (5-0).
Public Hearings
Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lowell Planning Board held a Public Hearing to hear all
interested persons relative to an ordinance to amend “The Code of Ordinances City of Lowell, Massachusetts,” with
respect to Appendix A thereof entitled “Zoning.” The proposed Zoning Ordinance pertains to updates and
clarification of multiple sections of the code that include updated stormwater requirements for parking facilities and
other impervious surfaces and subdivision regulations in order to conform with Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection stormwater provisions, an update to special residential regulations for conversion of
historic buildings, clarification of criteria for special permits in the table of uses, and to update and clarify Article
12.1 table of residential uses as defined in M.G.L. Chapter 43D and established by the Lowell City Council. All
Planning Board members were present.
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 - Page 2
This item was continued from the September 6, 2007 Planning Board meeting to provide DPD staff to provide
clarification of changes to Section 12.1 of the zoning code.
The following individuals spoke in favor of the project:
None
The following individuals spoke in opposition of the project:
None
Board Discussion
The Board clarified with staff that the ‘N+’ in the Traditional Two-Family (TTF) district under Section 12.1 (b) of
the proposed amendment was a typo and is supposed to be a ‘Y+’, confirming the change would continue to allow
two-family dwellings ‘by right’ in the district. Member Gendron questioned staff as to the purpose of Section 9.4
Neighborhood Character Special Permit, A. Clausen pointed out that the intent is to provide greater review over
certain projects in order to preserve the unique spatial and architectural heritage of the traditional neighborhoods
and that by allowing multiple residential buildings on a single lot would provide incentive to preserve historic
buildings and provide a wider range of housing options.
The Board was concerned that the term ‘semi-detached residential dwelling’ remains confusing and recommended
that the zoning subcommittee discuss adding a definition to the zoning code and perhaps including an image or
diagram to help describe the housing type.
Motion:
Member Joseph Clermont moved and Member Richard Lockhart seconded and the Board voted unanimously (5-
0) to recommend approval of the proposed ordinance with an Amendment to Section 12.1 (b): changing the ‘N+’
under the Traditional Two Family (TTF) district to a ‘Y+’.
New Business
Annual Meeting Election of Officers:
The Planning Board will elect officers for the 2007/2008 Board Year. Positions to be elected include Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson, Second-Vice Chairperson, Representative to NMCOG, and Representative to the Historic Board.
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Thomas Linnehan as Chairperson.
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Joseph Clermont as Vice-Chairperson
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Richard Lockhart as Second Vice-Chairperson
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Gerard Frechette as the Representative to NMCOG
The Board voted unanimously to re-appoint Richard Lockhart as the Representative to the Historic Board
ZBA Notices
182 Riverside Street – a/k/a 97 University Ave.
Applicant: Metro Sign and Awning for The Lowell Five
Petition: for the internal illumination of overhanging and wall signs at Lowell Five bank branch according to
section 6.3.9 of the Zoning Ordinance.
R. Lockhart: Motion to recommend APPROVAL.
J. Clermont: Second the motion
All members voted in favor of APPROVAL (5-0)
Planning Board Minutes
September 20, 2007 - Page 3
These minutes were approved by the Planning Board on October 1, 2007
J. Clermont: Motion to approve
R. Lockhart: Second
All members voted in favor (4-0) with Member S. Gendron abstaining.
________________________________________________
Aaron Clausen, Associate Planner/Planning Board Administrator