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CHILMARK PLANNING BOARD
Subcommittee
APPROVED
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 23, 2012 @ 9:30 AM
Present: Janet Weidner, Chair (Arrived Late), Cathy Thompson, Joan Malkin, Dan Greenbaum, Andy Goldman, Jennifer Christy, Administrative Assistant
Public: Thomas Bena (filming), Miles Jaffe, Bill Randol, Jessica Roddy, Mark London
Not Present:
Ms. Thompson called meeting to order at 9:31 a.m. and alerted all to the filming being done by Thomas Bena.
Minutes:
- October 10, 2012 Subcommittee Minutes: Ms. Malkin moved to accept minutes as written. Mr. Greenbaum seconded the motion. No discussion occurred. Ms. Thompson brought the motion to a vote. All ayes to approve as drafted.
- October 16, 2012 Subcommittee Minutes: Mr. Goldman moved to accept minutes as written. Mr. Greenbaum seconded the motion. No discussion occurred. Ms. Thompson brought the motion to a vote. All ayes to approve as drafted.
Residential Bylaw Discussion :
- “Data Relevant to Size of Residence” (Oct. 23 submitted by Mr. Greenbaum) document discussion:
- Mr. Greenbaum summarized the findings and noted the data supports a trigger somewhere between 3000-4000 sq. ft.
- Discussion occurred regarding how the data in Mr. Greenbaum’s document may affect what trigger square footage amount is arrived at, the possible effect on pre-existing houses of a proposed bylaw, and the need to clarify exactly what is meant by total living area.
- The importance of using a longer span of time in the development of data, rather than since the year 2000, was noted.
- Discussion regarding Town Counsel visit to the Planning Board meeting on Oct. 22 2012:
- Ms. Malkin clarified a decision before the subcommittee: should they recommend a trigger, with special permit review, that uses the living area of the main residence or should they recommend a cap on total living space (5000-6000 sq. ft.) and the main residence is stated to be a percentage of that total number?
- Discussion occurred regarding whether the second option would be a formula which Town Counsel would find to be incidental & indirect.
- DCPCs & Summation of Proposed Bylaw Ideas:
- Mr. Goldman discussed the DCPC topic and noted the history regarding Menemsha’s status as an area without DCPC protection.
- Ms. Malkin summarized the three options before the committee:
- FAR limit, either on just the house or on the house and other structures
- Visibility with a ‘trigger approach’
- Combination of the two options above
- Ms. Malkin noted Town Counsel stated as long as there is a reasonable rationale for a FAR, then the bylaw would be defensible provided it does not have a stated cap.
- Ms. Weidner agreed the FAR approach would be acceptable if there was no cap and a reasonable rationale but urged the committee to decide on the basis for the FAR.
- Ms. Malkin & Mr. Greenbaum both stated their position is to use Asst. Assessor Pam Bunker’s “living area” number.
- Extended discussion occurred regarding what exactly is ‘living space’. More discussion occurred the pros and cons of using a number representing the main residence or a larger, total ‘living space’ structure number.
- Further discussion occurred on the definition of an accessory structure and whether to include them as ‘living space’. Ms. Malkin stated the need to define “living area”.
- Ms. Malkin & Mr. Goldman suggested the idea of a FAR-based site coverage limit-of possibly 7000 sq. ft. for a 3 acre parcel with the main residence not exceeding 30% of that amount. Chair Weidner expressed concern over how to find the numbers for all structures and reiterated her interest in using the Assessors’ number, ‘gross living space’. Ms. Thompson suggested the Board attempt to communicate the gross living area number to each taxpayer at the Town Meeting.
- Extended discussion occurred regarding the regulation of accessory structures, whether it is necessary at this time to regulate those structures as opposed to fully concentrating on regulating large main residences and whether the inclusion of regulation of accessory structures will confuse voters at town meeting and draw away from the main purpose of the bylaw effort.
- It was decided to bring both the FAR & Visual Option to the Planning Board for review.
Next Meeting:
- Tasks were set for the next meeting and it was set for Monday, October 29, 2012 @ 9:30AM. Chair Weidner also noted her intention to schedule an extra Planning Board meeting for November 5, 2012.
Meeting was adjourned at 11:45 AM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer Christy, Administrative Assistant.
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