Planning Board Meeting
November 12, 2008
Minutes
Members Present: Leslie-Ann Morse-Chairman, Michael Cole-Vice Chairman, Craig Nightingale-Clerk, Debbie Abbott, Don Andersen, Peter McDonald, Howard Sandler, Tom Johnson-Alternate, Richard Morello-Alternate.
Staff Present: Sarah Raposa-Town Planner, Henry Lind Natural Resources Officer -, Rachel Hutchinson- Deputy Natural Resources Officer, Melody Gulow-Appeals Clerk.
Chairman opened the meeting at 4:08 p.m. turning the opening remarks over to the Town Planner who announced that members of the Open Space Committee are here tonight to answer any questions the Planning Board may have about the Open Space Plan.
Henry Lind gave an overview of the Open Space and Recreation Plan, what it is and why we are doing it including the self help programs set in place to provide funding assistance and the state requirements for that funding to include submission of this Plan. When Wylie Park was created in 1971, the first Plan was created. The Plan has gone through numerous reiterations since then about every five (5) years to keep it up-to-date. In 2007 it was discovered that the Plan needed the Planning Board sign-off. In regard to the language, much of the language is from the local comprehensive plan which is submitted at the county level whereas this Plan will go to the state level for review. We are not always reimbursed when we request funding but we will continue asking and the update of this Plan is an absolute
requirement for receipt of any funding approval.
Chairman then opened to questions from the Board.
Mike Cole: This would be a duplicate of our local comprehensive plan and understandingly, it is drafted in the interest of the Conservation Commission but not sure it matches with the greater good of the Town. It might but it might not as the Planning Board has had no part in drafting it. The Planning Board needs to find out more from terms of the broader sense of open space. Everyone in Town should have their best shot at what is best for the Town. Some inaccuracies I picked up are for instance, the Plan states 100,000 new houses and I'm sure that is a typo as I think it should be 100 or maybe 1,000 but not 100,000. Also, the goal to preserve half of the open space in Eastham (p. 53), 1,200 acres of developable/vacant land (p. 16), DCPC (District of Critical Planning Concern (p. 61). Cannot give support for this
document and would like to know more where the wording for the document came from. Eastham should be much more narrowly focused on its economic future.
Henry Lind: DCPC concept started two or three drafts back and this language is a carryover. We are now going through the clean-up process by letting all the other Town boards take a look at it and comment. There are many that do want to use the DCPC as a viable document and although they may not have the same level of knowledge about it, everyone does have the right to be heard. Regarding the economic issue, the tax revenue from property development versus open space has been the topic of studies that have shown the ratio is 2.1 to 2.5 times higher than the new revenue generated needed to support families living in these new single family sub-divisions. These studies have been done numerous times with the same results. Do not agree that open space does not solve economic problems.
Mike Cole: Do not agree with the figures from these studies as applicable to Eastham as the demographics here are changing with schools declining because this has now become primarily a retirement community. It is the large home owners that are picking up the majority of tax burden and what is the Town doing for them? We don't provide water. Eastham is a drive through Town. How do we use the open space and where is the recreation in the Plan?
Henry Lind: Where might the middle ground be? Understand this new Plan will take some real leadership. The new Plan will need to protect the ground water quality, the disbursement of species, and access to Cape Cod Bay. The properties that are on Cape Cod Bay should have top notch consideration from the Town for open space. Example of the need to manage the open space is the National Park Service now approaching its 100-year anniversary and the parks have the worst pollution problems because they did not manage the traffic that was allowed to come in. And, we need to speak for the wildlife that do not have attorneys and engineers that speak for them because once a species is gone we cannot get it back. I would suggest there is some middle ground that can be reached and that a very concerted effort
should be made to reach it and preserve open space in the Town.
Leslie-Ann Morse: Clarified the need for the Planning Board to accept the Plan in order to apply for any funding.
Howard Sandler: Agrees with Mike Cole.
Henry Lind: A list does exist of all the open space land in Town and a value number has been assigned to the Open Space Committee wants. Regarding recreation, it depends on how you define recreation. We would like to preserve anything along the Bay area.
Howard Sandler: Spoke about the Harris property and the need to allow public access for walking. If this Town is going to spend money, it should buy the property adjacent to Holmes Road.
Peter McDonald: I, too, have a problem with the language.
Craig Nightingale: We need to assure there is parking and access to recreation areas.
Mike Cole: I can fill you in on what Howard Sandler is referring to.
Henry Lind: The Town does support this plan. We can work with the language. Would someone from the Planning Board meet with the Committee and try to work out language that is not as dogmatic? We do have parking access to recreation areas and it is outlined on the web site.
Tom Johnson: I have a real problem with going to the State for funds to purchase land for the Town.
Mike Cole: Can we continue working on this at the next Work Session on December 4th ?
Henry Lind: That is fine as we want it right.
A Motion to adjourn was made by Debbie Abbott and Seconded by Don Andersen.
The Vote: All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 4:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig Nightingale, Clerk
Eastham Planning Board
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