Town of Lenox
Planning Board
June 8, 2010
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Joseph A. Kellogg, JK; Ken Fowler, KF; Steve Sample, SS; and Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV.
Members absent: Gary Schiff, GS
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA and Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA.
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm.
Route 7/20 Corridor Study: MA informed the Board that she will be meeting June 9, 2010 with the Pittsfield Planning Department and next week there will be a study committee meeting. A date has not been set for the next public information meeting.
Continued Discussion - Potential Zoning Amendments:
Educational and Religious Uses
JK asked if Bill Thornton and Town Counsel Jeremia Pollard would be able to attend the June 22, 2010 meeting to discuss Educational and Religious uses. MA advised that Jim Biancola has not had time to bring anything further to her, but she did get approval from the Town Manager to have Attorney Mark Bobrowski review the verbiage for a proposed amendment.
Outdoor Dining
Discussion ensued on the merits of having Outdoor Dining removed from the Zoning Bylaw and added as a General Bylaw.
Planning Board Recommendations: It was noted that David Hobbs of Roaring Brook Road has applied for a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals to allow an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) on his property. The ZBA has asked that the Board review and comment on the petition since it involves a unique situation. ZBA Chair Pam Kueber was present as was David Hobbs and his daughter, Susan Cotton who will be added to the deed as an owner.
MA provided to the Board copies of her summary report which was prepared for the ZBA. The subject property contains 3 acres with a 700 square house that is occupied by tenants. The petitioner is requesting permission to construct a new principal residence on the property to be occupied by the Cotton family with the existing 700 square foot house to remain as an ADU. Pam Kueber asked the Board for advice on whether this situation was in keeping with the original intent of the ADU bylaw. SS and KMV noted that they were on the Board that proposed the bylaw. SS said the intent was to allow people who are retired to continue to live in their homes and have extended family members stay with them, or to have rental income that allows them to afford to stay in the home. He feels that the end result is the same, whether
the house is the existing home or the rental unit is the existing home. KMV concurred and said she believed the situation did meet the intent of the bylaw. KMV made a motion to recommend that the ZBA approve the Special Permit application as it is within the intent of the bylaw. KF seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0 to approve.
Minutes: KF made a motion to approve the minutes of April 27, 2010. KMV seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-0-1 (SS abstained) to approve. KMV made a motion to approve the minutes of May 25, 2010. KF seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0 to approve. SS made a motion to approve the minutes of May 27, 2010. KF seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0 to approve.
Old Business: Hearing notices and decisions from abutting communities were read
New Business: It was noted that an All Boards Meeting will be held on June 23, 2010 at 5:30 pm.
SS made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 6:41 pm. KF seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0 to approve.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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