PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES
April 7, 2010
Chairman: Raymond Duffy
Members Present: Richard Baker, Julia Hucknall, Kim Ames, Bill Manter
Members Absent: None
Recorder: Richard Baker
ROUTE 140 ZONING – Public Hearing
Mr. Baker called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. After welcoming those in attendance, he summarized the general process for making zoning changes, stressing the importance of public comment. Mr. Baker then disclosed that he was an abutter to property proposed for rezoning and that to avoid the appearance of conflict he would not be participating in the discussion or voting on the Planning Board's recommendation. He explained that Raymond Duffy would chair the meeting. He then turned the floor over to Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator, who presented a brief history of the rezoning effort and its goals. She then introduced Attorney Mark Bobrowski, whose law firm drafted the zoning changes. Mr. Bobrowski explained the proposed zoning articles in detail:
Article 1 — the zoning map
Article 2 — new definitions
Article 3 — the use table
Article 4 — procedures for Site Plan Review and Special Permits
Article 5 — dimensional table
Article 6 — parking regulations
Article 7 — Flexible Business Development design guidelines
Mr. Bobrowski opened the floor for questions and comments.
Dennis Pojani asked about the use table designations for Special Permits and whether the existing overlay districts would remain.
Cheryl Morrill questioned if there were safeguards in place to prohibit businesses using parking areas for outdoor sales.
Michelle Joyal asked if water and sewer usage and increased were considered in the overall planning process.
Tina Bilazarian asked about how the special permitting criteria set forth in Article 4 were to be used.
Patrick Healey stated that soil conditions are a major factor for developing land in this area, and he asked if that was a consideration in determining lots sizes and setbacks.
Herb Cronin stated that the articles might be too confusing for participants at Town Meeting, and he asked if the warrant articles could be simplified or taken as a single package.
Mr. Duffy questioned the rationale for including the residential properties along E. Temple Street in the Multi Use Industrial District. He reminded the audience that the area was last rezoned in 1978 and stated the need for comprehensive planning and his approval of the present process.
Mr. Pojani asked if there would be someone present at Town Meeting to answer questions about traffic impacts.
There being no further questions or comments from the audience, the Board began deliberations. After a brief discussion, Mr. Manter made a motion to recommend that parcels 17-41, 17-42, 17-43, and 17-44 be deleted from the Mixed Use Industrial District. Ms. Hucknall seconded the motion; all in favor, none opposed, Mr. Baker abstained.
Mr. Manter made a second motion to close the hearing and recommend approval of all articles provided article 1 is amended per the Board's recommendation. Ms. Hucknall seconded the motion; all in favor, none opposed, Mr. Baker abstained.
Hearing adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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