CHILMARK PLANNING BOARD
Meeting Minutes
Monday, December 14, 2009 @ 4:30 PM
Approved
Present: Janet Weidner, chair, Rich Osnoss, John Flender, Russell Walton,
William Meegan
Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant
Absent: Tim Lasker, Mitch Posin
Public: Chris Alley, Wendy Weldon
Call To Order:
Janet Weidner, Chair, opened the meeting at 4:48 p.m.
New Business:
Public Hearing: Amending Current Wind Mill bylaw:
Ms. Weidner opened the Public Hearing at 5:00pm and read the posting from the paper for the Public Hearing.
There had been several items that the ZBA had suggested should be added to the current wind mill bylaw and two of those items were: greater abutter notification area; better visual representation of proposed turbine.
Ms. Weidner suggested that we start by changing the definition of wind mill to wind turbine. Ms. Weidner explained how the Planning Board got to where they are with a smaller amendment to the current zoning bylaw. Other towns have completely rewritten their bylaw and others have left more subjectivity to their zoning. Ms. Weidner asked the public for their input.
Ms. Weldon suggested an energy audit be added to applicant’s requirements and that the abutter notification area may be based on topography.
Mr. Meegan suggested that a met tower was not included in this process and asked if there is a height restriction on a MET tower. He would also like to see a minimum lot size be added to the criteria for special permit application, such as 4 acres.
There was discussion concerning the effects of a turbine on neighbors and the community and whether or not an abutting town needs to be notified when applicable.
Three more criteria to consider:
-energy audit
-wind assessment
-minimum lot size
The Board suggested sending these suggestions and the current proposal to the ZBA members for input. The board would also like to have all the members of the Planning Board weigh in on the proposed amendment. It was suggested that the public hearing be continued to an out of cycle meeting on January 4, 2010 at 4:30pm
The motion was made to continue the Public Hearing until January 4, 2009 in the hope of continuing to gather input from both town boards and the public. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Meadow Wood Farms, LLC: Form A
Chris Alley was present representing his client with a Form A proposal to change an interior lot line to allow for better siting for a future dwelling. The board mentioned visibility from Middle Road of a proposed house site and discussed the restrictions already in place on this property.
After review of the proposal, the motion was made to approve the Form A as presented.
The motion was made to approve. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved.
Agricultural Housing:
Chris Alley gave the Planning Board an informal update concerning the building inspectors assessment concerning the definition of agricultural housing and how that may be applied in Chilmark for farm planning on using existing dwellings for dormitory/work force housing.
His assessment was that the building inspector has the jurisdiction to designate a current structure agricultural housing as long as the farm is being farmed as a business.
(Mr. Christy informed the board of his understanding of MA GL 40A which was described by the building inspector to him. This would allow for an existing structure to be designated as an Agricultural Dormitory by the zoning officer. The Building Inspector conferred with town counsel on this issue. This would require no change in current town bylaw to allow agricultural housing.)
Quinson Curb Cut: recap
There was a brief discussion concerning the curb cut on the Menemsha Crossroad allowing access to the Quinson property at the entrance to Middle Gate.
There had been no access allowed in the deeds and the curb cut was the only solution for this property to access a public road.
Meeting Minutes;
No Minutes were reviewed at this meeting
Administration:
With no more business to discuss, Ms. Weidner adjourned the meeting at 6:23 pm.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Todd Christy, Administrative Assistant.
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