TOWN OF MARION
PLANNING BOARD
APRIL 12, 2010
MEMBERS PRESENT: John Sweeney, Clerk
Julia Deane Crowley
Steve Gonsalves
Jay Ryder
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairman Tom Magauran
Vice-Chairman Joseph Napoli
Pat McArdle
BOARD SECRETARY: Terri Santos
ALSO PRESENT: Steve Grima
Ricky Pursley
Eunice Manduca
Commencement – Member Ryder called the meeting to order at 9:42 A.M and explained meeting procedure.
Member Ryder explained that there were some issues that would “need to be resolved” regarding the NOD and put Chairman Magauran on speakerphone some of which is inaudible.
Chairman Magauran voiced concern about the change in lot size and minimum lot frontage in feet from the previous language and that there may need to be corrections. Jon Witten, Town Counsel would need to review and write language into a bylaw that morning and resolve the changes in order to get onto the Warrant for Town Meeting. The Board needs to be completely comfortable with the changes made and it may be to our advantage to make presentation at the Fall Town Meeting.
Member Ryder questioned Town Administrator Paul Dawson if the warrant could be changed before town meeting after it is advertised.
Mr. Dawson clarified that the language for the warrant needed to be submitted that day. The Warrant can not be changed once it is published with the printer, but the language in the Warrant can be changed by amending on the floor of town meeting. So long as it is made less and not more restrictive, thinking in terms of what is more favorable to the potential applicant. So if warrant language said fifty feet of frontage, at “town meeting can make it be sixty feet not forty feet because sixty would be more favorable to the applicant not less”.
Steve Grima went through the recommend changes referencing the Dimensional Requirements Table found in Section 5.1. of the Marion Bylaws.
- He explained why the change was made in lot frontage to a 24 foot minimum/100foot maximum. The 100 foot maximum is to help keep out a franchise type operation. The 24 foot minimum comes from the village concept.
-If have a minimum lot of 1 acre “we are talking about just five lots in that area” it will leave many of the lots in the district out, which is why they suggested No Minimum Lot Size. “What can be built on a lot is still regulated by lot coverage, parking, building height and setbacks”. Does allow a 15,000 square foot lot be included which is critical in creating a neighborhood.
-Front yard set back of 6’ Minimum, 18’Maximum, 0’ allowable through special permit is directly from the workshop.
- Minimum frontage build out of 60% requires the builder to address the frontage with building or plantings to approach the frontage. Parking was changed to create situation where parking must be setback 20’ from front line.
Member Sweeney asked if they were allowing parking in front.
Steve Grima explained that you may have the parking side to back - not all in the front, working directly with the 60% frontage build out.
Member Gonsalves commented that the minimum frontage concept is similar to Randall Arndt concept.
Member Ryder explained that all four members present today were at the workshop on Saturday. He explained that we hired the consultant to “help us with the language in the warrant and we don’t have enough time for that.” After the workshops the consultants still have work to do to summarize their findings, sketches and ideas. Still do not have the language to move forward and “making a decision now would be rushing it and could go for not if rushed.”
Member Sweeney asked what the disadvantage was if do not move forward.
Member Gonsalves was concerned over loss of momentum.
It was decided that if Attorney Witten came up with language that day it would need to be reviewed by the Planning Board and Cornish before put on Warrant which time wise would be difficult.
Member Ryder suggested a report for town meeting showing why the board decided to pull from the warrant for Spring Town Meeting.
Motion by Member Sweeney? (inaudible) to pull the Warrant Language from Spring Town Meeting and present at Fall Town Meeting second by Member Gonsalves.
VOTE 4-0-0
The motion was made to adjourn by Member Gonsalves and second by Member Sweeney.
VOTE 4-0-0
Respectfully submitted,
John Sweeney, Clerk
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