Town of Lenox
Planning Board
August 9, 2011
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Joseph A. Kellogg, JK; Vice Chair Steve Sample, SS; Gary Schiff, GS; Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV; and Mark S. Smith, MS.
Staff present: Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm. ~
Approval Not Required Plans: Russell D. Sackett, Jr., Sackett Survey Services, Inc., presented a Form A for Peter J. Sprague, Trustee, Sprague Family Nominee Trust, for property located at Undermountain Road. ~KMV made a motion to endorse the Form A as presented. SS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Sign Bylaw Revisions: Bill Thornton, Building Commissioner was present and offered a comprehensive power-point presentation regarding signs located in the village district. Mr. Thornton noted he would like to work with the Planning Board to update the Zoning Bylaw to deal with a number of enforcement issues as well as assure the Bylaw is consistent with the Historic District guidelines. Discussion ensued regarding the definition for a sign as prescribed in the Zoning Bylaws which provides that window displays are considered to be a sign. Members discussed the scope of potential revisions and asked MA to investigate how other communities classify window displays. It was agreed to initially focus on the village district, but eventually include a review of signs in the entire town.
Economic Development Planning Efforts: JK, GS, and MA provided a brief report on a meeting recently held with Selectmen John McNinch and David Roche and Town Manager Greg Federspiel. As a follow-up to this meeting, the Town Manager has sent the Board a letter formally requesting the development of a comprehensive Economic Development Plan to include review, analysis and recommendations of goals and objectives for improving the local economy. Discussion ensued regarding this request. It was agreed that this effort would be separate and distinct from the work being done by the Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee involving “Lenoxology” and members suggested that the Steering Committee rename their group to avoid any potential confusion. MA distributed copies of
a similar plan recently prepared by the Town of Sheffield. SS made a motion to accept the task of preparing an Economic Development Plan and to notify the Board of Selectmen. GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Cul-de-sac Planting Areas: MA said she discussed this matter with Jeff Vincent, Director, Department of Public Works who has expressed concerns regarding the creation of cul-de-sac planting areas. Mr. Vincent noted that planting areas hinder snow-plowing and long term maintenance is problematic. GS and JK would like to continue to explore planting areas. GS offered the Yokun Brook Condominum project located off New Lenox Road as an example. MA will follow-up with the Fire Chief.
Recommendations to Town Boards & Commissions: No recommendations were requested.
Review Correspondence: JK said the Board has been invited to participate in the selection of a developer for the Sawmill Brook Affordable Housing project and volunteered to serve as the Board’s representative on the Ad Hoc Developer Selection Committee. By consensus, members agreed with JK being the representative.
A request has been received from the owners of 40 Brunell Avenue to change their address to Pumping Station Road. SS made a motion to authorize Dan Clifford, Fire Chief, to assign a new address for the property. GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Decisions and notices of public hearings from abutting communities were reviewed.
Minutes: MS made a motion to approve the minutes of July 12, 2011. ~SS seconded the motion and the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve. GS abstained because he did not attend the July 12 meeting.
Other Business:
Discussion ensued regarding the August 23rd meeting and the possibility of a quorum issue. MA will send an email one week prior to the meeting to determine if there will be a quorum for the meeting.
GS made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:26 pm. ~MS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Albertson
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