CHILMARK PLANNING BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Monday, June 8, 2009 @ 4:30 PM
Approved
Present: Janet Weidner, chair, William Meegan, Mitchell Posin, John Flender,
Rich Osnoss, Russell Walton, Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Tim Lasker,
Public: Frank Fenner, Arlan Wise, Warren Doty, Riggs Parker, Chuck Hodgkinson,
Kim Cottrill, Reid Silva, Mimi Davidson, Jenn Wlodyka, Andrew Nanna
Call To Order:
Janet Weidner, Chair, opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
Meeting Minutes
Board reviewed minutes from May 11, 2009 and approved as amended.
Board reviewed minutes from May 26, 2009 and approved as amended.
New Business:
Nab’s Corner Form C: Turner Lots
Ms. Weidner opened the Public Hearing at 5p.m.
Ms. Weidner read aloud the Public Hearing Notice that was published in the MV Times.
The Chilmark Board of Health submitted a letter of Approval which was read into the minutes. Ms. Weidner read a letter from Arlan Wise, who is an abutter to the proposed subdivision. Ms. Wise’s letter asked that there be a 50’ setback from the Lot lines as a no cut zone to preserve some privacy due to the close proximity of the lots.
Reid Silva of Vineyard Land Surveying described the process of creating these four affordable lots for the Town of Chilmark. The two original parcels were the property of Howard Hillman. The plan as presented took into consideration input from abutters and the Planning Board, creating a 4 lot Affordable Housing development and one large lot that would remain open space for Land Bank. Trying to create four 1 acre lots, trying to fit everything, including frontage, within such a small space is challenging. Mr. Silva described the expanded lot idea and reason for clustered wells, as other wells in the area fall into a topographic area. This subdivision process will require the closure of Ridge Hill Rd. and a new access would be made along
State Road. This new road would meet all Planning Board requirements, 40’ right of way with 20’ road surface. Currently there are two homes at the top of Ridge Hill Road that would be using this new road access, totaling 6 homes using this new road. Mr. Silva described the Land Bank parking area at the head of the road, including 4 parking spaces to allow access to trail head. The new road will have its own lot designation and lot lines do not go to middle of road surface. The most encumbered lot appears to be lot #6, which is the first lot within the subdivision. Land Bank trail easement accesses from this lot. There is a total of 4.9 acres of Affordable Housing, 5.1 acres of Land Bank and 1.0 acre of road. Mr. Silva described the septic systems as gravity fed.
Ms. Weidner asked the Selectmen present about the design restrictions in place for Homesite buildings and Mr. Doty addressed the issue of these guidelines for Affordable Housing which is outlined for Middle Line Road and he proposed that there would be guidelines for Nab’s Corner. There was the issue of resale, improvements, heritability and his position on the importance of family orientation, which are addressed in the Affordable Homesite Guidelines. It was mentioned that the Selectmen are also debating the issue of future Affordability of the Homesite Lots through heritability, including the language within the Deed Riders.
Mr. Silva described the timeline. This is a very complicated transaction, including DEP, Land Bank, a swap with the Hillman Family, Conservation restriction and then the recording at land court. This could take up to 3 months for this 3 way closing to be completed.
Mr. Walton relayed his desires to see a wide green belt in from State Road and a no cut buffer along the Land Bank trail easement. There was some discussion concerning the Roadside District and the height and size restrictions of buildings, including a 100’ buffer along South Road. During this no-cut zone discussion it was brought up that this new subdivision will require a Road Association. The discussion included the possibility of a ‘pro-rated’ Road Association price/cost per household. It was brought up that the town does not own this land, should the Planning Board be voting on a Form C that the Town doesn’t own.
Mr. Silva described the septic systems being pinned in by the setbacks and required separation. The perk tests have been done and the land is suitable for septic systems.
There was extensive discussion concerning the screening of these lots both from State Road and from the neighbors to the west, as well as screening along the trail. The result of all this discussion was a list of conditions for the approval:
1. Vegetative buffer 50’ wide along the western border will be maintained to screen buildings.
2. Vegetative buffer along South Road 100’ deep maintained to screen between road and development of lots.
3. Wells will be drilled and tested, approved by the Chilmark Board of Health.
4. Septic plans approved by the Chilmark Board of Health.
5. Agreed transfers of property completed.
6. Rights and access to ‘new’ road written and Pachicco section of Ridge Hill Road closed to through access.
Ms. Weidner asked if there was a motion to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Flender made the motion to close the Public Hearing. Mr. Walton seconded. The motion was unanimously approved.
Ms. Weidner asked if there was motion to approve the conditions for approval of the Nab’s Corner Subdivision. Mr. Walton made the motion. Mr. Flender seconded. The Board unanimously approved the conditions as presented:
Wind Bylaw Discussion:
Ms. Weidner proposed continuing the meeting until July 13, 2009 at 6 pm. The board voted to approve the continuation of the meeting.
Andrew Nanna
Conversation with Andrew Nanna concerning Fiber Optic Cables. The Planning Board and Mr. Nanna had a very in depth discussion on how Fiber Optic cables are installed and what they do. Mr. Nanna described at length the process that Vineyard Haven has gone through installing Fiber Optics in Town, including a Town wide WiFi network. Mr. Nanna also suggested there may be grants available to town’s to enable them to have money for Fiber Optic development. Mr. Nanna also stated that the Town could mandate that Verizon go underground for utilities, but that it may take a very long time at great expense.
The Board Thanked Mr. Nanna for his time and very informative discussion concerning the abilities and installation of Fiber Optic cables.
Administration:
Calendar:
Next Meeting:
- Tuesday, July 13, 2009 @ 4:30 pm Planning Board Meeting
With no more business to discuss, Ms. Weidner adjourned the meeting at 6:55 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant.
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