Town of Lenox
Planning Board
December 9, 2014
Landuse Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Kameron Spaulding, KS; Tom Delasco, TD; Kate McNulty-Vaughan, KMV; Mark S. Smith, MS
Absent with notification: Linda Messana, LM
Staff present: Gwen Miller, Land Use Director and Town Planner, GM; Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, PA
Also present was Selectman Ken Fowler.
The meeting was called to order at 6:07 PM.
Approval Not Required Plans-There were none.
New Town Planner -Gwen Miller was introduced as the new Land Use Director/Town Planner.
Bylaw Changes- KS said that there is funding left over in the budget and they are looking at hiring a consultant to look into the use table and other parts of the zoning bylaw and work with the Board on amendments. It is hoped that this process can be started early in 2015.
Parking Regulations- KS and TD met with Town Manager Chris Ketchen on November 24th to look at the overall parking issue. Currently there is a Town Bylaw which limits on street parking to two hours and unless this law is changed, this will be enforced starting Memorial Day weekend. There is an issue with the Zoning Bylaw regulations on the number of parking spaces a business is required to have. This has resulted in potential businesses choosing to not open in the District because they could not meet the requirement. Both the Town Bylaw and Zoning Bylaw need to be reviewed and updated.
Creating more parking in a few locations within a block or two of downtown was discussed. There is a design plan for an area in the vicinity of Orebed Park that is currently being used during the summer. This plan would more than double the amount of parking at this site simply by paving and striping the lot. KS stated that there is left over money to cover this cost from the paving budget.
Better or more signage or a map informing the tourists of locations for parking and working with the business community to get their employees to not take up the street parking were discussed. It was agreed that additional lighting in the parking lot behind Berkshire Bank is needed.
KS spoke of a “Downtown Plan” which was created in recent years. He said he will provide a copy to TD.
Sign Regulations-MS and KM-V have been meeting to discuss the sign regulations. Presently they are going through definitions. A model bylaw that was provided at a BRPC “Fifth Thursday” presentation and the Dennis, MA sign bylaws are being used as guides. Their goal is to write a bylaw as affirmatively as possible and emphasize what an applicant is permitted to do. Graphic examples will be given. They will meet again on December 19th at 9:30 AM.
BRPC Update- MS reviewed the November 20th BRPC meeting which he attended. He touched on the topics addressed by Commission which included, but not limited to the following:
- Endorsement of the 2014 Performance Report for the Berkshire Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
- Regulation of Home-Based Business
- Draft Stormwater Regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency
- Threat to DLTA Funding for FY 2015 and Solicitation of DLTA Projects for combined Veterans’ Districts
Update on Proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline Projects affecting the Berkshires
GM said that for the first item, the 2014 Performance Report, BRPC identifies the economic development projects in the region and tries to prioritize them. By keeping them updated the region is eligible for certain assistance or grant funding from the state and federal government.
MS said that Brian Domina presented the topic on the Regulation of Home-Based Business. Mr. Domina used a draft of a bylaw he is working on with an unidentified town. MS said that they want the bylaw to be more specific to reflect the changes in the types of home based businesses. He concluded that renting a home or B and B’s does not fall under a “home based business” category, but he understands that topic will be on next month’s BRPC’s meeting agenda.
The other three items were briefly discussed.
Correspondence from Abutting Communities and others-
Notices from abutting communities were read.
A second request from BRPC has been received asking that the Board provide names of the Board’s delegate and alternate to BRPC. KS said that this has been done before, but he will re-send.
Correspondence from George Jordan referenced ZBA minutes of August 6, 2014 and stated that he wants to be notified if Tim Geller comes to speak to the Planning Board about Affordable Housing.
Approval of Minutes-
Oct. 14, 2014- KMV made a motion to approve the minutes as written and TD seconded the motion. The Board voted to approve 3-0-1. MS abstained as he was not at that meeting.
Nov. 20, 2014-TD made a motion to approve the minutes and KMV seconded the motion. The Board voted to approve 3-0-1. MS abstained as he was not at that meeting.
Other Business-
The Board will not meet on December 23rd but will meet on January 13th.
It is expected that Elm Court will be submitting a petition to the ZBA soon, and the ZBA wants the Planning Board to hear the application and render an opinion to the ZBA before the ZBA hears the application. KMV would like a copy of the application to read at home.
KM-V advised the Board the Lenox Land Trust will host a Community Conversation on land preservation and recreation projects at its annual meeting on Monday, December 29th from 7 to 9 PM. at the Lenox Community Center.
CPC update- TD informed the Board that the Community Preservation Committee met on December 8th. He said that present was Steve Oakes, the owner of the old court house on the corner of Church and Housatonic Streets. Mr. Oakes is seeking funds for the cupola on that building. Hillary Repass and Mike Cunningham from Boston University Tanglewood Institute discussed plans to make the facility sustainable. Rachel Coll and Linda (did not have last name) of Ventfort Hall, are looking for funds for a five phase study. TD said that December 31st is the filing deadline and hearings are scheduled for January 19th at 6:00 PM and January 26th at 7:00 PM. The CPC has received many applications and possibly will receive more.
MS made a motion to adjourn and TD seconded the motion. The Board voted to adjourn 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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