Adams Planning Board Continues O'Geary Expansion Hearing
ADAMS, MASS. — The Planning Board voted to continue the hearing on an application by O'Geary's Package Store to expand the building.
The Planning Board asked James and Michael Geary on Monday to clarify some aspects of the site plan and come back to a December meeting.
"We will take care of all of these things on the plans and come back next month," James Geary said.
The brothers plan to erect a 2,412 square-foot addition to the existing store at 60 Commercial St. This plan was actually approved three years ago but the building commissioner asked that some small alterations be made.
"You did look at this three years ago and you did approve it," James Geary said. "Nothing has changed. There were a couple little things that were brought to my attention."
The Gearys were asked to install some sort of barrier between the property line and the nearby homes. They did install a fence that the Planning Board thought was acceptable, however, planners asked that it be extended it a little bit farther.
"I want to commend you about the fence because it is a lot better than it was but the one thing I did see is where it ends there was a tree there that was cut down," Planner David Krzeminski said. "There is a space there where people can walk through so I would like to see you plug that hole."
The brothers said that would be an easy fix.
Board member David Rhinemiller said this buffer area still needs to be included in the plans.
"The buffer has to be indicated on here that has to be shown as part of it," he said. "We can't enforce it if it's not in the paperwork."
Rhinemiller also asked about the absence of topographical lines for runoff and James Geary said water currently just runs into the street and this will continue to be the case even with new construction. He added that there wouldn't be an increase in water because they are not adding any impervious surfaces.
Rhinemiller said this still must be shown in the plans.
Rhinemiller included that the plans need to show where the dumpster will be placed and exterior lighting and signage.
Building Commissioner Don Torrico said the two also had to solidify an address. Currently, the brothers own 58 and 60 Commercial St. but they are under different titles. James Geary said one is under Mike and James Geary while the other is under Geary Brothers Realty. He said this will soon be changed.
The Gearys will return for a meeting on Dec. 10.
In other business, the board also continued E-Pod Transportation's site plan approval hearing to Dec. 10 because there were no representatives present at the meeting.
"We have no formal request where they are asking for a continuance and we don't have a site plan," Rhinemiller said. "We don't have to continue if we don't want to."
E-Pod Transportation wants to establish a livery service at 26 Overlook Terrace. The board members said they have been before them before, but the plan was not adequate.
Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said she did recently meet with the owners and was under the impression they were going to attend the meeting.
She added that she did know that they agreed the intensity of their business was not a good fit for the neighborhood and were looking to move a portion of it off the site. However, they are still looking for a suitable property.
"They are still hoping to retain some business there because it is my understanding that it is their property, but they do want to make it a better situation," she said.
Cesan said she will ask them to "accelerate" their planning and said a continuance will allow them the opportunity to submit a plan or officially ask for more time.
Tags: expansion, Planning Board,
