Planning Board Agenda

Monday, August 20, 2007 6:30 P.M.

City Council Chambers, City Hall

City of Lowell, 375 Merrimack Street, Lowell, MA

I.                   Minutes & Roll Call of Neighborhood Groups

Roll Call of Neighborhood Groups

II.                Public Hearings

Site Plan: 199 Plain Street

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application by H & P Realty Trust and Target Corporation.  The project includes the demolition of an existing 91,850sqft retail facility once occupied by Hannaford Grocery and the construction of a 137,700sqft Target retail store.  The redevelopment will include the reconfiguration of parking to accommodate an additional 53 parking spaces for a total of 1,064.  The site reconfiguration will include new landscaped areas reducing the impervious surface area by approximately 8300sqft from a total of 852,776sqft.  Site redevelopment is expected to increase vehicle trips from 10,490 per day to 13,046 and have exceeded the threshold to file an ENF.  Access will remain via existing signalized driveway.  To mitigate expected traffic impacts the petitioner is proposing construction of a new traffic signal at the intersection of Plain St. and northbound ramps to the Lowell Connector, instillation of conduit for future traffic signals at the intersection of Plain St. and southbound ramps to the Lowell Connector, and coordination of signals at the northbound ramps with existing signal at site driveway.  The project is located in the HRC (High-Rise Commercial) zoning district.  The project requires Site Plan review under Section 11.4 and a Special Permit under Section 12.4 of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance.   

Site Plan: 8 Highland Street

The Lowell Planning Board will review an application by an application by John McDonough for site plan review for a project located at 8 Highland St., 14 Highland St., and 26 Highland St.  The proposal includes the construction of an 11,007sqft addition to an existing 12,000sqft building and the construction of a 3,906sqft garage, both intended to improve existing business operations currently underway on site.  The project is currently located on three parcels totaling 107,110sqft containing a single family home, three garages, and the McDonough Funeral Home.  The proposed renovations include the consolidation of lots at 8 and 14 Highland St. and extending the western boundary into 26 Highland St.  The project is located in the TMF (Traditional Neighborhood Multi Family) and UMU (Urban Neighborhood Mixed-Use) zoning district.  The project requires site plan review under Section 11.4 of the Lowell Zoning Ordinance.

III.             New Business

Planning Board Meeting Schedule Change

The Planning Board will discuss a change to the Planning Board meeting schedule concerning the September 17, 2007 meeting, which is proposed to be moved to Thursday, September 20, 2007.

Proposed Change to Planning Board By-Laws

The Planning Board will discuss the proposed changes to the boards by-laws with regard to the Hamilton Canal District.

IV.              Old Business

Bond Release: K-C Estates, Maryland Ave./Twiss St.

The Board will discuss the release of the bond money being held for the Kelly Circle/Manor View Crossing subdivision.

Update & Administrative Adjustment: 76-80 Rogers Street

The Board will discuss proposed changes to the architectural plans made in order to comply with conditions of a site plan and special permit approval for the project located at 76-80 Rogers Street.  The Board approved the project in May 2007.

V.                 Other Business

1.       Notices From Abutting Towns

2.       General Correspondence

3.       ZBA Legal Notices

4.       ANR Reports

VI.              Further Comments from Planning Board Members

VII.           Adjournment