Raynham Planning Board Welcomes New Member, Approves Greco Automotive Site Plan
Board reorganizes with Gallagher continuing as chair, discusses associate member appointment, and reviews ongoing development projects
RAYNHAM - May 1 - The Raynham Planning Board welcomed new member Pamela Menconi at its May meeting, reorganized its leadership structure, and approved a site plan for Greco Automotive Group on Paramount Drive.
Chairman Chris Gallagher opened the meeting by acknowledging Menconi’s election victory and thanking outgoing member Matt Andrade for his five years of service, particularly highlighting Andrade's work on three-day zoning.
"He spent a lot of time outside the meeting and that could have led to 750 apartment buildings in a very short time in Raynham," Gallagher said, referring to zoning proposals made pursuant to the MBTA Communities Act.
The board voted unanimously to maintain its current leadership structure with Gallagher as chairman, Burke Fountain as vice chair, Anthony Niccoli as clerk, and Menconi as the Southeastern Regional Planning representative.
Discussion then turned to filling the associate member position, which allows participation in special permits and site plans when regular members are absent or have conflicts. Two candidates had expressed interest: Mark Dale, owner of Central Glass on Broadway, and former board member Matthew Andrade.
Menconi raised concerns about the appointment process, noting she hadn't received information about Dale and questioning whether the position had been publicly advertised.
"I would feel more comfortable if this was thrown up on the website like the FINCOM was, the capital planning, and I think it was the permanent building committee," Mincone said. "If we've been without an associate member for this long, I think that if we revisited this at the next meeting, I think it would just be... I'd be a little bit more comfortable with that."
Despite these concerns, the board voted to appoint Andrade as associate member, with Menconi abstaining.
Fountain explained that the associate member position was relatively new, created about two and a half years ago, with Niccoli being the first to serve in that capacity, followed briefly by Brian Oldfield.
The board then addressed a temporary certificate of occupancy for 1900 Broadway, the former site planned for sports betting by the Carney family. Building Commissioner Robert Iafrate explained that construction is about 95 percent complete, with some finishing work remaining.
"I issued a temporary occupancy permit for staffing only and set up only and the use of the office space," Iafrate said. "The temporary occupancy permit which I sent to all of you does not allow the facility to be used for a public facility."
Iafrate noted that the certificate is valid for three months, allowing the business to begin setting up while they work to complete remaining items from their certificate of action, including signage and mitigation requirements.
The board then returned to a public hearing for Greco Automotive Group at 0 Paramount Drive. After confirming that all requested waivers matched those listed in the certificate of action, the board unanimously approved both the waivers and the site plan with special permit.
The waivers included allowances for map scale, curb cuts, tree documentation, traffic impact study requirements, landscape strips, wetland buffers, stormwater basin slopes, parking lot design elements, and other technical specifications.
In other business, the board addressed funding shortfalls in review accounts for two ongoing projects. For Whaler Estates, which had a negative balance of $90, the board voted to request $27,000 based on the standard of $1,000 per lot for the 27-lot development. For Walmart, which also had a negative balance, the board requested $5,000 to cover engineering costs related to required percolation tests.
The board also discussed Doe Run subdivision, with Iafrate providing updates on progress at Lalor Estates, where binder will be put down next week, potentially leading to lot release requests in the coming weeks.
"Looking good. They got some nice street lots, should blend in pretty well," Iafrate said.
He also reported that 1023 Broadway, the Noria gas station, had received its occupancy permit and should be fully operational soon.
"Nice, nice project. Spent a lot of money. It's done, done very well," Iafrate said.
Additionally, Iafrate mentioned that the former Stop & Shop location appears to have a buyer and will be reused, though details remain limited.
The board concluded by discussing a request to release Lot 24 in the Doe Run subdivision. After discussion about the status of phase one completion and funding requirements, the board voted to release the lot contingent on the developer providing $27,000 for a snow removal account and $33,000 for a review account.
The next Planning Board meeting will include review of plans for East Pine Street development and continued discussion of ongoing projects.
Watch the complete meeting courtesy of The Raynham Channel.
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