PLANNING BOARD
July 28, 2009
MINUTES
Present: Howard Sandler, Craig Nightingale, Michael Cole, Don Andersen, Leslie-Ann Morse, Tom Johnson, Richard Morello-Alternate
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Sarah Raposa-Town Planner
Chairman opened the meeting at 4:00 p.m.
Land Use Overview / Zoning Map Work Session
The Chair explained the framework of the meeting to be a chance for the Planning Board to collectively understand the perceived needs and future needs of the Town and started by saying that water is the most important need for the Town. There was discussion of the need for a water district and water from Orleans servicing South Eastham. There was a distinction between the need for town-wide water as being most important versus water being most important for the Town's sustainability and ability to prosper in economic development via its small businesses.
The McGregor Property, District G, the Tilcon Property, Roach Property, District D, Rock Harbor, First Encounter Beach, Alexander Place aka Eastham Inn, COA, and Willy's Gym were identified as topics of discussion.
The MacGregor Property
The discussion involved ideas coming out of the North Eastham Village Center concept plan and the Town taking Holmes Road in order to create access to open up MacGregor's 25-acre parcel to industrial development. Leslie-Ann Morse said that a town taking and a betterment tax would be an strategy that many towns use. Mike Cole suggested that there is a real need for lower impact industrial space (known as "tradespark" in Truro). He said that there are local small business owners that are pushing the definitions of home occupations and service trades under the zoning bylaw. He noted that the parcel is ideal because it is already adjacent to zoning districts C and D, as well as town-owned land. It would be an advantage to the town to be proactive in developing plans for the area because:
" Such efforts would be beneficial to the property owner by taking part in development
" The property owner already engages in district C activities
" There are connections to the NEVC and the ability to negotiate with the Sheraton/Ocean Park Inn for shared infrastructure
" Legitimizes the attempt to rezone DPW area at ATM 2009
" There is space for water/wastewater projects
" There is development potential for proximity to ponds and walking paths.
The Town would be at a disadvantage in being reactive in the event MacGregor is able to gain access to his property over Holmes Road because the town will be unable to negotiate any development potential. A major failure in development in Eastham is that businesses are on Route 6 creating severe curb cut and traffic problems.
The Board also discussed other access options i.e. via DPW. It was noted that obstacles such as the bike path and power lines were not deal-breakers and alternative scenarios may emerge upon further investigation.
Future research:
" Quantify need for industrial space in Eastham
" Identify cost to pave Holmes Road
" Find out current tax rate vs. tax potential
Mike Cole proposed holding a work session with local business owners to discuss land use issues such as shared driveways and shared parking, curb cuts, signage, etc. He also noted that some local businesses suffer because they are required to have expensive sprinkler systems. Tom Johnson said that the location and size of the MacGregor Property is advantageous for package treatment facilities.
Rock Harbor
The Planning Board discussed the need to enhance Rock Harbor as a viable economic development opportunity. Town Planner, Sarah Raposa, said that she met with Sheila Vanderhoef, Mike O'Connell, Amy Usowski, and Neil Andres about options for the property. The Board of Selectmen discussed Rock Harbor at their work session on July 22, 2009 and decided to develop a harbor improvement concept plan using staff and an outside consultant.
First Encounter Beach
The Planning Board discussed the possibilities of enhancing/rehabilitating First Encounter Beach as another economic development possibility by leasing space for a restaurant etc.
Tilcon Property
Howard Sandler brought up the topic of the Tilcon property and recommended that the Planning Board urge the Town to condemn the property to get the dangerous structures removed and make sure the extent of any possible contamination is documented and remediated. Howard Sandler stated the need to find out if the owner is paying the taxes on the property and if not, what is owed. He further stated that the property could be valuable to the town for affordable housing.
District G
The Planning Board discussed the fundamentals of District G zoning and stated that it is not recommended for industrial use and the Town should be proactively trying to clean up properties in the zone. Town Planner, Sarah Raposa, will provide the Planning Board with a map of District G with property owners and parcel sizes labeled.
Alexander Place
The Planning Board discussed the recent auction (7/7/09) of the converted Eastham Inn (aka "Alexander Place"). The bank bought it back. Howard Sandler felt that it would make ideal affordable housing and Craig Nightingale mentioned that although it is a long, thin parcel it is well buffered from Route 6 by the trees. Leslie-Ann Morse suggested it would be good municipal office space, library or community center. The Planning Board discussed failed efforts with MA Highways to get a traffic signal placed before the Sunoco Station. Mike Cole suggested that better site design and easements would allow for service road connectors between the Sunoco and Town Hall. The Board discussed the possibility of reducing setbacks along Route 6 but felt the opposition from existing business owners would be tremendous, given the fact that
their businesses are already located where they are, farther away from Route 6).
COA
The Planning Board commented that the COA is too far away from the town center. It is unfortunate that it was built were it is now, but private citizens perceived the need and raise the funds to build it and gave it to the town.
Willy's Gym
The Planning Board discussed the possibility of the Town talking to Willy's because it is already set up to be able to accommodate a community center or a senior center, or even a library.
District E (North Eastham)
There was a discussion about the history of the rezoning of the commercial parcels along Route 6 in North Eastham in 1988 and the zoning reverting back to District E in 2006 (Eastham Zoning By-law Section V, District A). The map should be in the Clerk's office and Building Inspector's office.
Sign Code
The Planning Board will resuscitate the discussion from Fall 2008 regarding the sign code.
Future Meetings
August 12, 2009, regular meeting
August 25, 2009, work session (agenda items: Tim Klink, George Krouch, Peter McDonald and discussion of definitions). The Town Planner will invite the Building Inspector to the meeting on the Planning Board's behalf.
Appointments
Don Andersen (Chair of Search Committee) reported that a list of recommendations would be submitted to the Board of Selectmen by August 1st.
A MOTION to nominate Howard Sandler as the Planning Board designee to the Community Preservation Act Committee, replacing Debbie Abbott, was made by Leslie-Ann Morse and Seconded by Tom Johnson.
The Vote: 6-0. In Favor: Andersen, Cole, Morse, Nightingale, Johnson, Sandler.
Opposed: None
Motion Passed
Updates
Aimee Eckman is the Planning Board's liaison from the Board of Selectmen.
Adjournment
A MOTION to adjourn was made by Tom Johnson and Seconded by Mike Cole.
The Vote: 6-0. In Favor: Andersen, Cole, Morse, Nightingale, Johnson, Sandler.
Opposed: None
Motion Passed
Meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig Nightingale, Clerk
Eastham Planning Board
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