Town of Lenox
Planning Board
November 8, 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: No plans were submitted.
Sign Bylaw Amendments: MA distributed copies of sign bylaws from Amherst, Belchertown, Newburyport, Lee and Concord. JK asked members to review the bylaws to determine whether any of the provisions in these bylaws are of interest. GS said our new bylaw should be clear and easy to follow while KMV and SS noted that we need to work with the Historic District Commission (HDC) to make this project a success. Discussion ensued regarding the need for a joint meeting and JK asked MA to coordinate with the HDC to set a date. JK said we will need to consider whether sign regulations should remain in zoning or be contained in a general bylaw. In order to organize and facilitate the discussion, MA was asked to prepare a list of sign topics such as projection vs. flat signs; number of
signs; sign material; window displays and temporary signs. Board members agreed that a site walk in the village would be helpful as part of our review.
Other Business: Pamela Kueber, a resident of Kneeland Avenue, was present to discuss a matter involving Section 3.3.5 of the Zoning Bylaw and JK asked if members had any objection to having the discussion now. There being none, Ms. Kueber explained that her neighbor recently applied to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a Special Permit under Section 3.3.5 which allows nonconforming structures to be expanded under certain conditions. Ms. Kueber and other neighbors objected to the addition because they felt it was too large and out of character with the neighborhood. The neighbor eventually withdrew the application, however, during the process; Ms. Kueber discovered that Section 3.3.5 makes reference to “habitable floor area” for which there is no definition in the Zoning Bylaw,
although there is a definition for “gross floor area”. Discussion ensued as to whether the intent of the reference is to include all floor area or just that considered habitable, which would exclude closets, garages, decks, etc. Ms. Kueber suggested that the inconsistency should be corrected so it is clear which applies. Board members thanked Ms. Kueber for bringing this to our attention and agreed to review the matter as part of our annual Zoning Bylaw housekeeping mission.
Economic Development Planning Efforts: JK suggested that the Board’s two major projects be prioritized in order to be able to give full attention to both. He provided his opinion that the new sign bylaw should receive the top priority and that work on the Economic Development plan be delayed until substantial progress is made on having a sign bylaw ready for the spring. Discussion ensued and Board members agreed. Lucy Kennedy, a resident who has volunteered to help on the Economic Development plan, was present and asked several questions about how the plan will be different than the Lenoxology program recently proposed by the now defunct Economic Development Action Plan Steering Committee. JK responded that our plan will take a more comprehensive approach to how the Town can
encourage activity in all economic sectors including industrial, office, R&D, and retail development. Ms. Kennedy suggested the Town might benefit from the development of a cluster business approach and KMV noted the work of Michael Porter on this approach.
Recommendations to Town Boards & Commissions: No recommendations were requested.
Review Correspondence: Decisions and notices of public hearings from abutting communities were reviewed.
Minutes: MS made a motion to approve the minutes of October 11, 2011. ~GS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve. SS made a motion to approve the minutes of October 18, 2011. ~KMV seconded the motion and the Board voted 3-0-2 to approve. GS and MS abstained because they did not attend the meeting.
Other Business:
The Board reviewed a request from Rob Hoogs, Foresight Land Services, to release the Letter of Credit which is securing infrastructure improvements at the Stone Ledge subdivision. Board members scheduled a site visit for November 17, 2011 at 4:00 PM and agreed to consider the matter at their next meeting.
GS made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:15 pm. ~MS seconded the motion and the Board voted 5-0 to approve.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Albertson
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