Town of Lenox
Planning Board
August 28, 2012
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Acting Chair Steve Sample, SS; Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV; Mark S. Smith, MS.
Absent with notification: Kimberly Reopell Flynn, KRF; Gary Schiff, GS
Selectman present: Channing Gibson, CG
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA; Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
Also present was Kameron Spaulding of the Beacon.
Approval Not Required Plans-There were no plans.
Election of Officers-Tabled until there is a full Board.
Meeting with the HDC to discuss amendments to the sign regulations- Two documents were handed out at the meeting:
1) 3/13/2012 Planning Board Discussion Document #2 Draft Sign Amendments-Sandwich Signs Only
2) 6/26/2012 Planning Board Discussion Document Draft Sign Amendments
HDC Note: At the HDC meeting of Aug 7, the members agreed to meet with the PB for this discussion and it was suggested that it could be put on the PB’s agenda for August 14th but not confirmed. On August 14th, an email was sent to the HDC to advise that this would be an agenda item for August 28th. Jason Berger, Chairman of the HDC, responded on that date that he would not be available to attend. Lucy Kennedy represented the HDC. LK asked if it was appropriate to have the discussion without JB, but MA advised that she had spoken to JB and he encouraged that the discussion continue in his absence.
MA provided a letter from Town Counsel Frederica McCarthy responding to the HDC’s question of the jurisdiction of the District. MA said that according to Ms. McCarthy’s response, if the Planning Board should decide to move forward to change anything that would affect the Historic District and how the HDC conducts its business, a change in the HDC bylaw would be required.
MA said that she had a recent conversation with the Building Commissioner, Bill Thornton, who indicated that this summer has been the quietest regarding sign issues in the Historic District, i.e., complaints regarding legal or inappropriate signs. MA suggested that the Board move forward over the next couple of months on sandwich board signs, making it the first priority.
LK stated that there are too many signs, flags, banners, etc., and asked that this not be dropped from the Board’s objective. Discussion ensued on how to move forward with creating consistency within the bylaws and efficiency in the process. It was agreed that there is a pressing need to address the sandwich boards. LK said that she would change everything, streamline the process and make clear and consistent.
LK made two specific suggestions: 1) Take the draft that was presented to the Board tonight, and incorporate some input of the Guidelines and 2) to make a formal communication to the HDC regarding the Board’s discussion of tonight and restate goals to have one set of guidelines and how the Board proposes to arrive at those goals. LK offered to prepare the document this language. MA will prepare a draft of the formal communication, coordinate that draft with SS, and present it to the HDC.
KMV has already prepared comments on the latest draft on sandwich boards that she will email to MA who will share with the other Board members. MA asked that all members of the Board review ahead of time the draft presented tonight and come prepared to have meaningful discussion so that at the Planning Board’s meeting of September 25, 2012 there will be a final draft.
Continued Discussion regarding the development of a Solar Bylaw- MA had obtained the map from BRPC for GS, but had nothing new to report.
Update on the Open Space and Recreation Plan- MA said that she had contacted Conway School of Design at the suggestion of Lauren Garrity of BRPC. She met with Professor David Nordstrom of Conway and discussed the possibility of the school working on this project utilizing students as interns who work with professionals. The cost would be $6,000.00, far less than the $20,000.00 approved at the Annual Town Meeting. Due to the cost, this project can be arranged with the school via a sole source bid. The faculty must approve before the project could proceed. The project could begin in January and end by the beginning of May. MA made available a copy of the school’s brochure which listed projects completed last winter.
Those who have agreed to serve on the committee are:
Kim Flynn- Planning Board
Kate McNulty Vaughn and Frederick Keator- Community Preservation Committee
Tony Patella-Community Center
Ruth Wheeler-Kennedy Park Committee
Jan Chague-Historical Commission
John McNinch-Board Of Selectmen
Land Trust-Gige Darey
Member at Large- Kim Graham
MA will prepare an email list for all of the participants and establish a date and time for the committee’s first meeting.
Update on the BRPC 7 & 20 Corridor Management- MA handed out copies of the final draft of August 13, 2012, a four page document reduced from the initial 23 page document. It adds a few more requirements for site review which has to do with shared driveways. On September 12, 2012 at 5:30 PM the Planning Board will meet with the Pittsfield Community Development Board to discuss the proposed draft of the Route 7 & 20 Corridor Overlay District Bylaw. This is the same time that the Attorney General's Office will be conducting a training session on the Open Meeting Law at 6pm in the auditorium and it was suggested that after the Board meeting members attend should it still be in session.
Planning Board Recommendations to Town Boards and Commissions-There were none.
Reviewed Correspondence from Abutting Communities and BRPC
Approve Minutes: KMV made a motion to approve the minutes of August 14, 2012 as amended by MS. MS seconded the motion and the Board voted to approve 3-0.
Other business:
There was discussion on changing the meeting time to 7:00 PM versus the regular meeting time of 6:00 PM as this may be more convenient for all Board members. MA will send out an email to poll the members as to their preference.
MA reminded the Board that at the next Board meeting on September 11, Michael Supranowicz, President & CEO of Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, will be present to give an update on the 1 Berkshire Strategic Alliance and a presentation on the Site Locator Service.
MS made a motion to adjourn at 7:40 PM and KMV seconded the motion. The Board voted to agree 3-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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