Town of Lenox
Planning Board
February 24, 2015
Land Use Meeting Room
Members present: Chair Kameron Spaulding, (KS); Mark S. Smith, (MS); Kate McNulty-Vaughan, (KMV); Linda Messana (LM); Tom Delasco, (TD)
Staff present: Gwen Miller, Land Use Director and Town Planner (GM); Peggy Ammendola, Land Use Clerk, (PA)
Also present: Town Manager Chris Ketchen and Selectman Ken Fowler
The meeting was called to order at 6:04 PM.
Approval Not Required Plans: There are none.
Downtown Parking Bylaw Update: TD and KS have been working together on a number of things related to the issue of parking in the Historic District and recently met with Town Manager Ketchen, Attorney Jeff Lynch and the Land Use Director, Gwen Miller. A handout entitled “5.1.20 Parking and Loading in the Historic District” was provided and used as a reference for a proposed addition to the Lenox zoning bylaw parking section. The Board felt that it would be more friendly to businesses, and would eliminate the burden of businesses requiring a special permit for parking in the village center even though so many of the businesses cannot conform to the existing parking OR loading requirements. The Board discussed how they should identify the District, noting that the Historic District covers a large area, and the existing
"C" district captures a smaller area. It was suggested by GM that they could create a special village center parking district that would capture both downtown and Lenox Dale. They further discussed the need for finding a better way for visitors to find parking and creating maps to help direct visitors to available parking and working with business owners to encourage employees to use off-street parking areas. The board talked about what might happen if new businesses or apartments don't need to provide new parking--would parking be forced into the residential neighborhoods? GM pointed out that they can restrict on-street parking to make sure that people are parking where the town wants people to park. The parking issue will continue to be discussed and studied.
Solar Bylaw Update: Agreed to the date of March 24, 2015 at 6:00 PM for a Public Hearing in advance of the Annual Town Meeting.
Sign Bylaw Update: There was nothing new to report.
Zoning Bylaw Consultant Update: A draft for Proposed Scope of Services was provided to the Board. This was reviewed and discussed.
BRPC Update: MS said that there was a March 4th deadline for submitting updated information for projects that are already programmed in the current TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) as well as for BPRC –approved projects that are still on the supplemental list. Also, BRPC has sent out, county wide, a survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BerkshireYoungAdults) that is designed to gain a better understanding of the various reasons why young adults (18-39) live in the Berkshires as well as why they may have moved away.
Approve Minutes: February 17, 2015-KMV made a motion to approve the minutes and LM seconded the motion. The Board voted to approve 4-0-1. TD abstained as he was not present for that meeting.
Other Business:
- GM confirmed that the Board members would like to continue to receive any correspondence that is received regarding the Elm Court hearings.
- KMV would like to put on the agenda to discuss the Elm Court process and if there was anything that could have been handled better.
MS made a motion to adjourn at 7:45 PM. LM seconded the motion and the Board agreed to adjourn
5-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Ammendola
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