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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1983-03-29 Planning Board MinutesMinutes of the Meeting of March 29; 1983. The meeting was called to order at 7:20 P.M. with Board members J. Shaw, M. Rich, K. Messina, C. Arthur and Chairman B. Mitchel present. Barbara Hewitt from the League of Women Voters was also present. Accessory Apartments The Board reviewed some of the statistics from other Towns which presently have an accessory apartment by-law.in place. Their rate is between 3-40. Within the cities, there have been about 10% that have converted. Ms. Rich contacted Mr. Phil Clay. about adoption of accessory apartment by-laws and he felt that the Special Permit process was good because it gave good control to the Town -.to review each permit application and also the accessory apartment by-law would answer the need for affordable housing as required under E0~15. Ms. Rich also spoke with Mr. Morang about the conversation that was viewed on Cable TV with Ms. O'Brien from the Selectmen's office. After their conversation, Mr. Morang seemed to be in-"favor of the proposed by-law. He suggested that before these articles come up at Town Meeting a front page news story could be run and'the Board could give an explanation of the by-laws. Board Reorganization. With a full complement of the Board,.the Chairman welcomed new Board member Charles Arthur, Jr. After introductions were made, the floor was opened for nominations for officers for the coming year. Upon a motion duly made and seconded, the following were nominated for Chairman: Maureen Rich and Kenneth G...Messina; the Board then voted and.Mr. Messina was elected Chairman by a vote of 3-1-1. Nominations for Clerk were Ms. Rich and Mr. Mitchel. Ms. Rich respectfully declined the nomination and upon a unanimous vote of the Board, Mr. Mitchel was elected as Clerk. The Board then continued its discussion under Accessory Apartments. The Board felt that there were 3 major points that must be emphasized: 1) - economic conditions; 2) - population shift; and 3) - lack of rental property. The Board felt that a separate mailing would be best for the publicity to Town Meeting members and voted not to include the explanation and overview in Town Clerk's mailing. Board reviewed the definition of Floor Area; Net.,and unanimously voted to put the following language into the motion for -th_em~dei in.i.ti_oo-n gird approval by Town Meeting. Page 2 3/29/83 2.2.12.2. FLOOR AREA, NET: Shall be the actual.occupied area not including hallways, stairs,, mechanical spaces and not including the thickness of exterior or interior walls. rte,: "1-Interboard Communication a_ c_ Z ~_v ( Support from -tie--ot_he_r Town Boards has not been received. Ms. Rich will contact the Housing Authority, Council on Aging and Conservation Commission. Mr. Mitchel has spoken to Chairman Wood of BPW and asked for their consideration and support. A separate letter is to be sent to the Board of Health, Building Inspector, Selectmen, Board of Appeals for their support. Presentation assignments were deferred until a subsequent meeting. Mr. Mitchel will be away the week of 4/18-25/83 w °a HOME BUSINESS Articles 28-31 were reviewed and the new member informed of the ;a proceedings to date. The tapes are to be reviewed by Mr. Arthur so that a vote on this matter ca n be taken at. the next me.eting_ I List of attendants at the public hearing was reviewed'and'he _ Secretary was requested to look up the addresses of those. present., 4 _ SCENIC ROADS Mr. Mitchel has been -the representative- to the tri.--`FcRt n committee end ~iti ens . Two articles have been --pr-es°ent--ed --fo-r-- bm 4s-i-.0-n to- the Special Town. Meeting Warrant. These articles call for the Planning Board to. hold a public hearing on any street. that La. requesting protection under the Scenic Road by-law-and make a recommendation to Town Meeting for or against acceptance of the street as a "scenic road". The Board would have to adopt rules and regulations for a street to be accepted as a "scenic road". BPW is not in favor of this proposal. There is a question on the second article which seeks to designate Pearl. Street as a scenic road. Mr. Mitchel will investigate this further to see if this is legal. Citizen Participation Ms. Hewitt raised a question on the accessory apartment by-law: How will it be possible to determine the number of eligible one family dwellings? Will each person that appliehave to prove that there are a required number of eligible houses and that they are in the correct % and thus qualify. Ms. Hewitt suggested deleting the word "eligible". The Board discussed the matter and will review it and report back next week. Page 2 3/29/83 .2.2.12.2. FLOOR AREA, NET: Shall be the actual occupied area not including hallways, stairs mechanical spaces and not including the thickness of exterior or interior walls. Interboard Communication Support from the other Town Boards has not been received Ms. Rich will contact the Housing Authority, Council on Aging and Conservation Commission. Mr. Mitchel has spoken to Chairman Wood of BPW and asked for their consideration and support. A separate letter is to be sent to the Board of Health, Building Inspector, Selectmen, Board of Appeals for their support. Presentation assignments were deferred until a subsequent meeting. Mr. Mitchel will be away the week of 4/18-25/83 HOME BUSINESS Articles 28-31 were reviewed and the new member informed of the proceedings to date. The tapes are to be reviewed by Mr. Arthur so that a vote on this matter can be taken at the next meeting. List of attendants at the public hearing was reviewed and the Secretary was requested to look up the addresses of those present. SCENIC ROADS Mr. Mitchel has been the representative to the tri-Town committee- and the citizens. Two articles have been presented for submission to the Special Town. Meeting Warrant. .These articles call for the Planning Board to.hold a public hearing on any street that is requesting protection under the Scenic Road by-law and make a recommendation to Town Meeting for or against acceptance of the street as a "scenic road". The Board would have to adopt rules. and regulations for a street to be accepted as a "scenic road". BPW is not.in favor of this proposal. There is a question on the second article which seeks to designate.Pearl.Street"as a- scenic road. Mr. Mitchel will investigate this further to see ,if this is legal. Citizen Participation Ms. Hewitt raised a question on the accessory apartment by-law.* How will it be possible to determine the member of eligible one- family dwellings? Will each person that applie have to prove that there are a required number of eligible houses and that, they are in the correct % and thus qualify. Ms. Hewitt suggested deleting the word "eligible". The Board discussed the matter- and will review it and report back next week. - Page + 3/2/83 Meeting Schedule Next meeting will be on Thursday, April 7, 1983. Mr. Mitchel will work with the secretary in preparing a draft of the,reports under Home Business and Accessory Apartments. - The Secretary was requested to send a letter to other Town Boards about the resntBoard officers and members. n' t~ {v- There being no further business before the Board, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:45 P.M. Respectully submitted, Barry J. Mitchel, Clerk --~~nire tea"