Town of Lenox
Planning Board
October 28, 2008
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Joe Kellogg, JK; Ken Fowler, KF; Kate McNulty-Vaughn, KM-V; Steve Sample, SS
Absent with notification: Gary Schiff, GS
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
The meeting was called to order at 6:13 pm.
Inclusionary Zoning and Flexible Development Bylaw Discussion:
At the Board’s request, Rob Hoogs of Foresight Land Services offered his views of the proposed flexible bylaw. Also in attendance was resident Jim Herrick.
Mr. Hoogs offered as an illustration a 15 acre parcel and how it could be developed under the proposed bylaw. The internal setbacks could be zero lot line single family units. He feels that the 100 foot buffer is excessive and could be reduced to 50 feet. Mr. Hoogs said the bylaw needs to be crafted so that it provides protection for the Town while offering incentives to a developer. The topic was further discussed and it was decided that consideration should be given to deleting the affordable component from this bylaw and advance it simply as an open space initiative.
MA will check with Mark Maloy of BRPC to see if he can determine how many undeveloped parcels are eligible for consideration under the flexible bylaw. Mr. Hoogs said that he would be willing to produce at a nominal fee some additional examples, both positive and negative applying the proposed bylaw to already developed parcels. MA will discuss this proposal with the Town Manager.
Inclusionary Zoning:
MA continued to discuss with the Board her meeting of last week with Rob Hoogs and Attorney Philip Heller regarding both flexible and inclusionary zoning. She said that most inclusionary bylaws are mandated, but asked the Board if they wanted to have an inclusionary bylaw that is mandatory or one that would be optional with density bonuses. It was suggested to put into effect an optional inclusionary zoning bylaw as a first step and if it doesn’t yield affordable units in 3 to 4 years, to reconsider a mandatory bylaw. Discussion ensued regarding the best approach for Lenox. JK suggested that the Board consider a combined approach. Establish a number, i.e., if over 40 units mandate a certain number of units as affordable. Smaller projects would be
optional and density incentives would be offered depending on the number of affordable units provided.
Minutes: On a motion by SS, seconded by KF, the Board voted 4-0 to approve the minutes of October 14, 2008.
Old Business: JK reviewed the notices and decisions from abutting communities.
The Board voted 4-0 to adjourn at 7:25 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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