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MINUTES –August 14, 2014 – REGULAR MEETING
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 7:05 pm by Dick Bennett, Chair. Attending were: Members Dick Bennett, Dave Treadwell, Larry Siebert, Sarah Kimball, Betsey Harding, and John Allen, and Alternates Scott Badger, Bea Davis and Kathleen Dougherty. Daren Levitt had indicated he would be unable to attend. Scott Badger will be the voting alternate for this meeting. In the audience were Dick Devellian, George Howard, Chris Bailey, Seth Burnell, Diane Smith, and videographer Hank Benesh, who was filming the proceedings.
Minutes of July 10: John Allen moved and Sarah Kimball seconded their acceptance, and all approved.
PUBLIC HEARING: LOT LINE ADJUSTMENTS PROPOSED for 161 Black Mountain Road (Tax Map V2, Lot 18), 137 Black Mountain Road (tax Map V2, Lot 19), & 133 Black Mountain Road (Tax Map V2, Lot 20) – Owner MHT Jackson/Marion, LLC; and Black Mountain Road. (Tax Map V03, Lot 13) – Owner MH Realty Trust. Seth Burnell of HEB Civil Engineers presented the plan for proposed Lot Line Adjustments, indicating changes proposed for four lots, permitting 1) placement of a conservation easement on lands where some cross-country ski trails are currently located, and 2) expanded lot sizes for several parcels where houses are already located. Seth posted a plan for all to see; red lines shown indicate lines to be extinguished by the new plan. Dick read the checklist; all required items were properly shown on the plans. Sarah commented that
these proposed changes would be good for the town, because of conservation easements being placed on cross country ski trails; she moved acceptance of the presented plan as complete, except for the need for property owners’ signatures in the block indicating amounts of land to be transferred (original signatures needed for the mylar copy only). Larry seconded acceptance of the proposal, and all approved. There being no public discussion, Sarah moved approval of the Lot Line Adjustments, Larry seconded the motion, and all approved.
7:45 PUBLIC HEARING: LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT PROPOSED for 3 Vista Way (Tax Map V10, Lot 304) – Owner Curtis & Erin Finney; and 11 Vista Way (Tax Map V10, Lot 212B) – Owner Helfrich Realty Trust III. Diane Smith of Thorne Surveys presented the proposed Lot Line Adjustment wherein two boundary lines of Finney lands would be altered to increase size of the lot belonging to Helfrich Realty Trust III. The latter lot is a nonconforming lot because it is undersized for Jackson’s current zoning requirements, where the Finney lands are more extensive. This change is requested by the Helfrich property owners; in keeping with State recommendations and Jackson’s Zoning Ordinance, the proposal would make the Helfrich lot less non-conforming. Dick Bennett reviewed the checklist; all items were as required except for the
signatures at the block indicating amounts of land to be transferred (original signatures needed for the mylar copy only). Scott moved acceptance, Betsey seconded, and all approved. There being no public comment, Larry moved approval, Scott seconded the motion, and all approved.
Old Business:
Master Plan Survey: The survey materials provided by Minuteman Press were reviewed; Kathleen asked about the questions concerning for sale and for rent housing. We reworded the box at the lower left of the #10 envelope: “Jackson Community Survey enclosed; your opinion counts.” We discussed the pros and cons of adding a Forever stamp to the return envelope and, since such a step might increase the number of returns, we voted to hand-stamp the #9 envelopes. To save on mailing costs, we agreed to meet at 6 PM for our next regular Planning Board meeting, on September 11, in order to fold the two sheets, include the stamped #9 envelope, and stuff those materials into a #10 envelope (which will be sent at reduced rate using Minuteman Press’s bulk mail address). Known expenses total around $2,000 for the survey mailing. Scott
volunteered that he may have a folding machine that could shorten the task. We could note on our agenda that volunteers would be welcome for the folding and stuffing process.
Review of Master Plan: George Howard asked if we will have information about “Cultural Heritage” in the next Master Plan; he agreed to provide us with information about how another town has included valuable information. He also inquired about adding information about private property rights, and agreed to put together some suggested wording to help us understand his points on that issue.
Betsey proposed having the background studies available as a separate document, one that could be viewed on-line, downloaded, or even picked up at the Selectmen’s Office, but not included within the Master Plan booklet as it was in the 2003 version – partly to save on costs, and partly because few people seem to use it. We agreed that the Master Plan’s primary purpose should be the provision of a collection of policies that indicate the reasoning behind, and support of, current and future Zoning Ordinance requirements and Subdivision regulations. For example, adding wording about consideration for the safety of fire department personnel in the design of structures, roads, and such, may increase understanding about limiting access to new proposed lots by very steep roads, or setting of height restrictions.
Review of Subdivision Regulations: We decided to review proposals at our next meeting, and ask that Jay join the meeting to explain his concerns and reasons for his proposals.
Other Business: Dick noted that there are two openings for Alternates on the Planning Board. Mike Mallett is still listed as an Alternate, although he has not attended a Planning Board meeting in several years; Dick has explained to him Planning Board policy on attendance.
There being no further business, it was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsey Harding
(Note: an audio-visual record of the meeting may be found on Jacksonflicks.com)
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