Lenox Planning Board
March 22, 2016
Minutes
Submitted 3/24/2016 2:20 PM
Members in Attendance
Mark Smith (MS); Kameron Spaulding (KS), Chair; Kate McNulty Vaughan (KMV); John Tansey (JT)
Liaison in Attendance
Ken Fowler (KF), BoS liaison
Staff in Attendance
Gwen Miller (GM), Town Planner
Absent with Notification
Tom Delasco (TD)
KS called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm.
Form As
None
Zoning bylaw amendment for May 2016 Town Meeting
GM noted that Judi Barrett made the changes suggested at the March 8, 2016, PB meeting and the PB will be working from the revised version for tonight’s discussion. She pointed out some new additions to the definitions section (e.g., custom manufacturing of goods sold on the premises; non-exempt education).
She said that at the May Town Meeting, there will be only one article voted on – to accept the town zoning bylaw as presented, with appendices A & B (A is the table of uses; B is the dimensions document). Then, after the town meeting, these appendices will be incorporated back into the bylaw.
The PB discussed suggestions for additional changes to the zoning bylaw document. Many involved wording, grammatical, formatting, or typographical changes.
A number of items requiring further discussion were tabled until the fall: educational and religious uses; grouping of some items in the definitions section (e.g., grouping “assisted living” under “residential”); inclusion of renewable energy (solar and others); establishments for manufacturing; extended care; general services; site plan approval (3.5.1) from a policy perspective; laboratory and research; lot width; motel unit; pets; retail; seasonal rental.
KS noted that any discussions involving definitions of setbacks, etc., should include the town building inspector.
GM will check back with Judi Barrett on a few items:
- 2.2 (zoning map): is the date 1969 required to be in the text?
- 3.3.1 (board of appeals): there should be 4 associate members rather than 2 – how and why did this number get changed?
- 3.3.3: is this language needed here at all?
- “home occupation” in definitions section (p. 18): there is a need to reconcile the definition with the language in section 9.9
- “screening/plant materials” (p. 21): rewrite section c.
The PB will meet again on Tuesday, March 30, 2016, at 6 pm to continue discussion of the zoning bylaw document. A public information session on the bylaw is scheduled for April 12, 2016, and a public hearing on April 19, 2016.
BRPC update
MS reported there was a BRPC meeting last Thursday (March 17) though he was unable to attend (TD may have been there). He said this is the 50th anniversary of the BRPC. He referenced a PowerPoint handout of a “Complete Streets” presentation. There is another presentation March 31 at Mazzeo’s. GM said a representative of the town needs to attend the workshop and that the town will reimburse any expenses of PB members who wish to attend.
HDC/CPC/AHC/LMC update
MS noted that the HDC is in the process of rewriting its bylaw and guidelines, though they may not be ready in time for the May Town Meeting.
Old Business
None.
Correspondence
KS noted several pieces of correspondence:
- Once and Future Massachusetts mill community: day-long workshop at UMass April 12. The town will reimburse any PB member who attends.
- Western Mass Forest Legacy Partnership: looking for grants to protect wild forests.
- Pittsfield: allowed construction of a solar array on Churchill St. (undeveloped land).
Stockbridge: special permit has been submitted.
Pittsfield: keeping chickens
Pittsfield: keeping a commercial vehicle on a residential property.
Approval of Minutes
KMV moved approval of the minutes of the March 8, 2016, meeting; MS seconded. Approval was unanimous (JT abstained).
There being no other business, KS called for a motion to adjourn. MS moved to adjourn; KMV seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.
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