Town of Lenox
Planning Board
August 24, 2010
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Joseph A. Kellogg, JK; Ken Fowler, KF; Gary Schiff, GS, Steve Sample, SS and Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
The meeting was called to order at 6:03 pm.
Continued Discussion - Potential Zoning Amendments: JK recognized Jim Biancolo who discussed his proposed amendments to Section 5.2 Signs of the Zoning Bylaws. Mr. Biancolo distributed handouts which described his proposal to organize the sign regulations into a table format. He felt this would make the bylaws more organized and user friendly. JK asked if there were any substanitive changes. Mr. Biancolo said his proposal removes reference to the Planning Board as an advisory board. KF asked about professional lettering or logos in windows stating that this has been an issue with the Historic District Commission (HDC). His specific concern involved the question of when does lettering and/or a logo become a sign. Discussion ensued and ended with JK suggesting
that the HDC ask the Building Commissioner to issue a formal written opinion. KF also asked about the status of political signs. JK explained that political signs are difficult to regulate as the Supreme Court has ruled that political signs enjoy First Amendment protection. JK noted that the proposal removed reference to “other advertising devices”. Mr. Biancolo said he removed this wording because it was confusing. GS and JK expressed concern about the impacts of this change and discussion ensued regarding short-term and long-term goals for revising Section 5.2. Members agreed that their short-term goal is to remove the reference to the Planning Board as an advisory board and leave a more comprehensive revision of Section 5.2 as a long-term goal.
MA said that the Board of Selectmen is considering the scheduling of a Special Town Meeting in the fall to propose the adoption of a Meals Tax and asked if members were in support of including the Zoning Amendment proposals on that warrant. It was the consensus of the Board that we should stay with our goal of having a Special Town Meeting exclusively for zoning proposals.
Continued Discussion – Update on Route 7/20 Corridor Study Project: MA said VHB has prepared two preliminary alternatives for the realignment of Route 7/20 and West Mountain Road. Board members reviewed the preliminary plans, noted their support for the concept and asked for additional information. The Board suggested that if VHB has not contacted the property owner impacted by this proposal, this should happen soon. MA said she is attending a Study Committee Meeting on August 30 and will inform the Board of future meeting dates.
Review Correspondence from Abutting Communities: Decisions and notices of public hearings from abutting communities were reviewed.
Minutes: KMV made a motion to approve the minutes of August 10, 2010. GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve. SS abstained as he was not at that meeting.
Other Business: It was noted the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Annual Dinner will be held on September 30 at 5:30 PM with John Hanlon of the Housatonic Railroad as the guest speaker. JK asked members to contact MA if they would like to attend.
MA said the next Board meeting is scheduled for September 14 which is also the date of the State Primary Election. The Board agreed to cancel the September 14 meeting with the next regular meeting on September 28.
SS made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 pm. GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Albertson
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