Town of Lenox
Planning Board
October 22, 2013
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV; Steve Sample, SS; Kameron Spaulding, KS; Mark S. Smith, MS
Also present was Board of Selectmen liaison Channing Gibson
Absent with notification: Gary Schiff, GS
Staff present: Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA; Mary Albertson, Town Planner, MA
Approval Not Required Plans-There were none.
Continued Discussion - Sign Regulations-There were no new developments as the sub-committee has not had a meeting. It was agreed that KMV, MS and MA will meet October 24th at 9:00 am.
Update on the Open Space and Recreation Plan-MA advised that the Plan is still being reviewed by the Department of Conservation Services. A Land Management Committee has not been presented to the Board of Selectmen, but Selectman John McNinch intends to meet with Neal Carpenter, Chair of the Conservation Commission to discuss the concerns of the Commission.
Continued Discussion - Solar Bylaw The Board discussed briefly the use of herbicides for controlling vegetation. MA said that Mark Stinson, of MA DEP told her that Rowe, MA has a solar bylaw, and it has a provision for control of vegetation. This could be added to our solar bylaw.
Discuss Economic Development-MA provided copies of The Intersection Between Planning and the Municipal Budget, July 2005, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy Workshop on Curriculum for Graduate Planning Programs: The Nuts and Bolts of Development Finance.
Economic development leaders in
MA also mentioned Judi Barrett of RKG Associates, RKG Associates, Inc. a multi-disciplined consulting a firm which serves private, public, and institutional clients and provides a comprehensive range of advisory, planning, marketing, and management services throughout the U.S. and around the world. Ms. Barrett, formerly with Community Opportunities Group, has taken a position as Director of Municipal Services with the firm. MA estimated that a thorough study would cost in the range of $25-30,000. There was discussion regarding partnering with Lee, contacting BRPC who may have suggestions for partnering, and discussing this idea with the Selectmen to see what their interest level might be. Channing Gibson recommended that MA talk with Mary Ellen Deming (interim co-Town Mgr.) about other money possibly available for this project.
Planning Board Recommendations to Town Boards and Commissions- MA advised that Spring Lawn has filed a Special Permit application which will be reviewed by the Planning Board on November 12th. MA briefly summarized the project: rehabilitation of Spring Lawn (20 guest rooms and a 75 seat restaurant open to the pubic) and the Carriage House (use as a spa). Also the project would entail 10-12 additional buildings with 75 guest units. SS noted that past concerns had been raised by neighbors on Old Stockbridge Rd., and that there is an existing CR easement on the property for a public use trail with access on both Old Stockbridge Rd. and Kemble St.
The Spring Lawn application will come before the ZBA in early December.
Reviewed Correspondence from Abutting Communities
BRPC-MS reported that The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission has been overseeing the group effort of Pittsfield, Lee, Lenox, Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield in pursuing compensation from GE associated with the “Rest of the River” remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. The compensation would be for the disruption expected during the remediation along the Housatonic from southern Pittsfield to Lenox and beyond. The Lenox Board of Selectmen is expected to sign the intergovernmental agreement.
MS also indicated that BRPC’s “Sustainable Berkshires” report is expected to be ready by the end of 2013. Amy Kacala is seeking input on the “neighborhood map.” MA will follow up with her with any changes.
Minutes-
October 8, 2013 MS made a motion to approve the minutes as amended. KS seconded the motion and the Board voted to approve 3-0-1. SS abstained as he was not at that meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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