Lenox Planning Board
May 3, 2016
Minutes
Members in Attendance
Mark Smith (MS); Kameron Spaulding (KS), Chair; Kate McNulty-Vaughan (KMV); John Tansey (JT)
Staff in Attendance
Gwen Miller (GM), Town Planner
Absent with Notification
Tom Delasco (TD)
Ken Fowler (KF), BoS liaison
KS called the meeting to order at 6:07 pm.
Approval of Minutes
February 9, 2016. No vote was taken since a quorum of PB members who had attended the February 9th meeting was not present.
April 12, 2016: With two minor changes, MS moved and JT seconded motion to approve. The minutes were unanimous (4).
April 19, 2016: With one minor change, KMV moved and MS seconded motion to approve. The minutes were approved (3 yes, JT abstained).
Preparation for Town Meeting
KMV asked whether the schedule of uses will be available for voters at the town meeting. She also suggested the PB be consistent in what it is called (“schedule of uses” or ‘table of uses”). She also suggested there be a map included in the PPT presentation that shows the various zones. KS agreed; the zoning map will be added to the presentation and he will use a pointer to show the audience the zones being discussed.
KS went through the PPT presentation took questions re slides:
- Slide 5 – it was suggested that the order be rearranged so that like items are closer together (e.g., seasonal rental of rooms)
- Slide 7 – it was suggested that the order of “commercial indoor” and “commercial outdoor” be reversed
- Slide 8 – a wording change was suggested – replace “no outside structure” with “no visible outdoor storage”
The PB also discussed Slides 12-13 regarding home occupation.
KMV said she felt that solely referencing M.g.l c. 40A Section 5 would not offer the same rigor of submittal currently required by the Zoning Bylaw language. She noted the current language requires three copies of a diagram with a written description (which is more than the statute requires), and believes the town should retain the stricter language. GM said she would look into it.
KS noted that consultant Judi Barrett will be present in the audience. He suggested the PB meet before Town Meeting begins in case any last-minute items have come up.
CPC Updated Materials, Public Hearing Input
Not discussed.
Local Tax Incentive Policy Input
GM said she was charged to bring to PB and other boards the proposed local tax incentive review procedure and ask for comments and discussion. KS suggested the group table this and discuss at the next PB meeting, as tax incentives would have multi-year ramifications. He asked that PB members come to the next meeting prepared for the discussion.
Complete Streets Policy
The PB discussed the proposed Complete Streets policy. In essence, if the town agrees to the Complete Streets philosophy and framework, the town is eligible for funding for which it would not otherwise be eligible. Agreement does not mean the town would have to adopt any or all facets of the Complete Streets vision. KS added that the town has been considering something like this for a few years and agreement just takes the town to the next level. MS said agreement formalizes the fact that the town understands the components and the importance of Complete Streets planning. KS reinforced that this means only that the town will consider the Complete Streets policy when making decisions about safe use of streets, sidewalks, etc. for people, bikes, vehicles and mass transit. He added that any project related to Complete Streets would need to
go through the normal town review process.
KMV moved that the PB make a recommendation to the BOS that the BoS adopt the Complete Streets policy. MS seconded. The vote to approve was unanimous (4).
Committee/BRPC Updates
No report. MS was unable to attend the last BRPC meeting and he was not sure whether TD had attended.
Old Business
None.
Correspondence
Held until the next meeting.
MS made a motion to adjourn the meeting; JT seconded. The vote to adjourn was unanimous (4); adjournment at 7:06 pm.
Submitted by Alison Sneider
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